12 The Catholic Meaning of Faith (2) – Some Characteristics

Some characteristics of our Catholic Faith: In this episode we address some consequences that are derived from a correct, Catholic understanding of what FAITH is. Faith is an act of our intelligence, moved by our will and by the Grace of God, by which we accept all the truths that God has revealed and the Church teaches as revealed by God (see St. Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologica II-II, 2, 9; and 1^st Vatican Council, Dei Filius 3). The main reason why we accept these truths is because we accept the witness and authority of God, who cannot be deceived nor deceive us.

As a consequence, it is clear that our faith is a gift of God; besides, the act of faith should be freely made; it should be “certain”; it should be complete—or integral—, without “picking and choosing” some truths and leaving out others. If both are correctly understood there shouldn’t be an opposition between faith and science, or between faith and reason. Faith is universal, in other words, it is for all men, and it should be embraced by all men. It is all-encompassing, in the sense that there should be no area of our life that is not affected by our faith.

All the concepts discussed can be found in the Catechism, #142-184.

At the end, we discuss what to do to persevere in your faith, and we look at the amazing story of John Henry Newman’s conversion to Catholicism. He is a canonized saint who converted from Anglicanism.

St. John Newman said, “This I am sure of, that nothing but a simple, direct call of duty is a warrant for any one leaving our [Anglican] Church… The simple question is: Can I (it is personal, not whether “another”, but can I) be saved in the English Church? Am I in safety, were I to die tonight? Is it a mortal sin in me, not joining another communion? (Apologia, 208)

LEAD, KINDLY LIGHT (poem)

Lead, Kindly Light, amidst th’encircling gloom,
Lead Thou me on!
The night is dark, and I am far from home,
Lead Thou me on!
Keep Thou my feet; I do not ask to see
The distant scene; one step enough for me.

I was not ever thus, nor prayed that Thou
Shouldst lead me on;
I loved to choose and see my path; but now
Lead Thou me on!
I loved the garish day, and, spite of fears,
Pride ruled my will. Remember not past years!

So long Thy power hath blest me, sure it still
Will lead me on.
O’er moor and fen, o’er crag and torrent, till
The night is gone,
And with the morn those angel faces smile,
Which I have loved long since, and lost awhile!

Meantime, along the narrow, rugged path,
Thyself hast trod,
Lead, Saviour, lead me home in childlike faith,
Home to my God.
To rest forever after earthly strife
In the calm light of everlasting life.

Poem by St. John Henry Newman (1801-1890)

Host: Fr. Patrick Wainwright, a priest of the Miles Christi Religious Order.

Podcast Website: www.forcollegecatholics.org

Miles Christi Religious Order’s site is www.mileschristi.org

To know what are the Spiritual Exercises retreats, and to see the dates and locations for our upcoming retreats in the US, visit https://www.mileschristi.org/spiritual-exercises/

Intro music from www.pond5.com

Recorded at the Miles Christi Family Center, South Lyon, Michigan