Wherein is treated the proximate means of ascending to union with God, which is faith; and wherein, therefore, is described the second part of this night, which, as we said, belongs to the spirit, and is contained in the second stanza, which is as follows.
STANZA II.
In darkness, and in safety,
By the secret ladder, disguised,
happy lot !
In darkness and concealment,
fily house being now at rest.
Chapter 22
Which treats of natural imaginary apprehensions. Describes their nature and proves that they cannot be a proportionate means of attainment to union with God. Shows the harm which results from inability to detach oneself from them.
Episode 2 The Mystery of Mercy with Sr. Gill Goulding C.J.
In our conversation on the Mystery of Mercy, we shall consider the primacy of love and the revolution of tenderness including the importance of hope. We consider the passion of Pope Francis for mercy and the questions that he raises about our understanding of mercy. We particularly focus our attention on the reality of mercy seen not as a static noun but as an active verb. We conclude our time engaging with St Mother Teresa of Calcutta the saint of mercy and Our Lady mother of mercy.
Sr Gill Goulding CJ is a member of the Congregatio Jesu an order founded by Mary Ward in 1609. The Congregation has the same constitutions as the Society of Jesus. Sr Gill is Professor of Systematic Theology at Regis College, the Jesuit Graduate School of Theology at the University of Toronto. She is a member of the Theological Commission of the Conference of Religious in Canada and was appointed by the Conference of Canadian Bishops as one of two RC members of the Council of Canadian Churches. In 2012 she was honored and humbled to be appointed by Pope Benedict XVI as a theological expert to the 2012 Synod of Bishops on the New Evangelization and the transmission of the Christian Faith. In 2017 Sr Gill was awarded a Henry Luce III Fellowship for a project looking at the dynamic impact of mercy on the mission of the Church. During this sabbatical year, she spent a number of months in Rome and was thrilled to meet Pope Frances and to present to him an outline of her project and to receive his blessing on her work.
Sr. Gill’s project was made possible by a grant from the Luce Foundation
To obtain a copy of the book on which this series is based visit here
“Gill Goulding, C.J. invites readers to move beyond a debilitating polarization in the Church and to adopt an ecclesiology of communion. She presents the ecclesial disposition of St Ignatius of Loyola, rooted in love for Christ, alive to the inseparable union between Christ and the Church, and aware that to love Christ is to love the Church – the real, concrete, hierarchical, “institutional” Church, the people of God, the spouse of Christ infused by His Spirit. Goulding’s love for the Church is evident in all she writes and suffuses the exposition with warmth. One cannot read this book without feeling the call to communion in the Church. A Church of Passion and Hope also serves to highlight an underemphasized part of the Ignatian Spiritual Exercises – the Rules for Thinking (sentir) with the Church – a valuable contribution to Ignatian writing and practice.” ―Fr Timothy Gallagher, O.M.V., Saint Clement Eucharistic Shrine, USA
Wherein is treated the proximate means of ascending to union with God, which is faith; and wherein, therefore, is described the second part of this night, which, as we said, belongs to the spirit, and is contained in the second stanza, which is as follows.
STANZA II.
In darkness, and in safety,
By the secret ladder, disguised,
happy lot !
In darkness and concealment,
fily house being now at rest.
Chapter 20
Wherein is proved by passages from Scripture how the sayings and words of God, though always true, do not always rest upon stable causes.
Chapter 21
Wherein is explained how at times, although God answers the prayers that are addressed to Him, He is not pleased that we should use such methods. It is also shown how, although He condescend to us and answer us, He is oftentimes wroth.
Episode 2 “Why Being Catholic Matters” – Why it Matters: An Exploration of Faith with Archbishop George Lucas
In this episode, we discuss “Why Being Catholic Matters.” Archbishop Lucas also talks about the “Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults” and in particular “The Rite of Election” where those who are seeking to be brought into full communion with the Catholic Church are received by the bishop of a diocese. The activity of grace which is experienced in our sacramental activity is touched upon by Archbishop Lucas, as well as the Period of Purification and Enlightenment which touches on our experience of Lent today. He also responds to some of the challenges which may confront Catholics out in the world and what our response should be.
Basing itself on scripture and tradition, it teaches that the Church, a pilgrim now on earth, is necessary for salvation: the one Christ is mediator and the way of salvation; he is present to us in his body which is the Church. He himself explicitly asserted the necessity of faith and baptism (cf. Mk. 16:16; Jn. 3:5), and thereby affirmed at the same time the necessity of the Church which men enter through baptism as through a door. Hence they could not be saved who, knowing that the Catholic Church was founded as necessary by God through Christ, would refuse either to enter it, or to remain in it.
Wherein is treated the proximate means of ascending to union with God, which is faith; and wherein, therefore, is described the second part of this night, which, as we said, belongs to the spirit, and is contained in the second stanza, which is as follows.
STANZA II.
In darkness, and in safety,
By the secret ladder, disguised,
happy lot !
In darkness and concealment,
fily house being now at rest.
Chapter 18
Which treats of the harm that certain spiritual masters may do to souls when they direct them not by a good method with respect to the visions aforementioned. Describes also how these visions may cause deception even though they be of God.
Chapter 19
Wherein is expounded and proved how, although visions and locutions which come from God are true, we may be deceived about them. This is proved by quotations from Divine Scripture.
Roots of the Faith – From the Church Fathers to You with Mike Aquilina, makes clear that just as an acorn grows into a tree and yet remains the same plant, so the Catholic Church is a living organism that has grown from the faith of the earliest Christians into the body of Christ we know today.
Wherein is treated the proximate means of ascending to union with God, which is faith; and wherein, therefore, is described the second part of this night, which, as we said, belongs to the spirit, and is contained in the second stanza, which is as follows.
STANZA II.
In darkness, and in safety,
By the secret ladder, disguised,
happy lot !
In darkness and concealment,
fily house being now at rest.
Chapter 17
Wherein is described the purpose and manner of God in His communication of spiritual blessings to the soul by means of the senses. Herein is answered the question which has been referred to.
Wherein is treated the proximate means of ascending to union with God, which is faith; and wherein, therefore, is described the second part of this night, which, as we said, belongs to the spirit, and is contained in the second stanza, which is as follows.
STANZA II.
In darkness, and in safety,
By the secret ladder, disguised,
happy lot !
In darkness and concealment,
fily house being now at rest.
Chapter 15
Wherein is explained how it is sometimes well for progressives who are beginning to enter upon this general knowledge of contemplation to make use of natural reasoning and the work of the natural faculties
Chapter 16
Which treats of the imaginary apprehensions that are supernaturally represented in the fancy. Describes how they cannot serve the soul as a proximate means to union with God
What a delight to talk once again to the incredible Vinny Flynn, this time about his book “The 7 Secrets of Confession”. Vinny has such a passion for the Catholic faith, and in particular for the Sacraments of the Church, that it’s difficult not to be inspired by his joy. This is perfect for anyone who struggles with this rich gift of grace and mercy, the sacrament “Confession”. But even more than that, it is like a “booster shot” for anyone who frequents the confessional but may be taking it for granted. A definite “must have” for every Catholic home library. This would also be a great gift for those in the RCIA or in sacramental preparation in RE classes.
Vinny Flynn s 7 Secrets are like seven explosions that blow away the obstacles keeping us from the Sacrament of Mercy. If you’ve ever dragged your feet on the way to confession, gotten discouraged about confessing the same sins over and over, or wondered how your confessions could be more fruitful, then you ll love this book. It turns what many see as a tiresome obligation into a precious, longed-for encounter with the Lord.
—Fr. Michael Gaitley, MIC Author, 33 Days to Morning Glory
Archbishop Lucas offers insights on the US Catholic Catechism for Adults Chapter 9:
The Holy Spirit is dynamic, transforming our bodies into temples of God and our souls into dwelling places for Christ. Sometimes called the Paraclete, a term that describes him as advocate and consoler, the Holy Spirit wants to fill us with inspiration and encouragement
The Most Reverend George J. Lucas leads the Archdiocese of Omaha.
We wish to thank the USCCB for the permissions granted for use of relevant material used in this series. Also we wish to thank Omar Gutierrez, Teresa Monaghen, and Bruce McGregor for their vocal talents in this episode.
Pick up a copy of Mke’s book. You’ll find so much more and invaluable references and resources, as well
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