Online ebook: “On the Mysteries of Faith & the Interior Life”, by Rev. Henry Collins

See this online ebook, with 2 editions:

• Spiritual Conferences on the Mysteries of Faith and the Interior Life, by Rev. Henry Collins (London: R. Washbourne, 1875). With Imprimatur. May be read online, and available in pdf, mobi, epub, and other formats, at Internet Archive; and also available at Google Books and Google Play Store.
• Spiritual Conferences, by Rev. Henry Collins, edited by Rev. Joseph Degen, with an Introduction by Bishop John Keily (London, Manchester, Birmingham, Glasgow: Burns Oates & Washbourne, 1920). With Imprimatur. May be read online, and available in pdf, mobi, epub, and other formats, at Internet Archive.

On the Feast of the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist in the Roman Rite.

“He said: I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness: Make straight the way of the Lord, as the prophet, Isaias, said… I baptize with water: but there hath stood one in the midst of you, whom you know not. The same is he that shall come after me, who is preferred before me: the latchet of whose shoe I am not worthy to loose.” (St. John i, 23, 26-27)

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Online text: “On the Council of Ephesus”, by Pope Pius XI

See this online text:

• Encyclical “Lux Veritatis” on the Council of Ephesus, by Pope Pius XI, 25 December 1931. May be read online on this page at the EWTN Libraries (copyright 1999), at Papal Encyclicals Online, and at the Catholic News Agency; and available in .doc format on this page through Documenta Catholica Omnia.

On the Memorial of the Third Ecumenical Council at Ephesus in the Maronite church.

“[O]ur Lord Jesus Christ is true God and true man, perfect in his divinity and perfect in his humanity, consubstantial with the Father and consubstantial with us in all things but sin. His divinity and his humanity are united in one person, without confusion or change, without division or separation. In him has been preserved the difference of the natures of divinity and humanity, with all their properties, faculties and operations. But far from constituting “one and another”, the divinity and humanity are united in the person of the same and unique Son of God and Lord Jesus Christ, who is the object of a single adoration.” (Common Christological Declaration between the Catholic Church and the Assyrian Church of the East, 11 November 1994)

Online text: “The Calling of a Cardinal: Intrepid, Even to the Shedding of His Blood”, by Cardinal Burke

See this online text:

• ‘“Intrepid, Even to the Shedding of His Blood”: Homily on the occasion of the Ordinary Public Consistory, November 20, 2010′, by Cardinal Raymond L. Burke, D.D., J.C.D., from Inside the Vatican, November 23, 2010. May be read online on this page of Catholic Culture. Another copy is reproduced in the post “The Calling of a Cardinal: ‘Intrepid, Even to the Shedding of His Blood’”, 28 June 2017, at OnePeterFive, which describes it thus:
  • “Cardinal Raymond Leo Burke’s Sermon on St. Cecilia’s Day: Solemn Mass of Thanksgiving on the occasion of the Ordinary Public Consistory, November 20, 2010, Memorial of Saint Cecilia, Virgin and Martyr, November 22, 2010, Chapel of the Immaculate Conception of the Pontifical North American College, Rome”.
• Also reproduced, with comments by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf, in the post “Card. Burke’s first big sermon as Cardinal S.R.E.” at Fr. Z’s Blog.

On the history and function of the College of Cardinals and on the office (or munus) of its members, one may read the following:

• Apostolic Constitution “Universi Dominici Gregis” on the Vacancy of the Apostolic See and the Election of the Roman Pontiff, by Pope St. John Paul II (22 February 1996), available at the Holy See; as amended by Pope Benedict XVI through the Apostolic Letter issued “Motu Proprio” Reinstating the Traditional Norms for the Majority Required to Elect the Supreme Pontiff (June 11, 2007), available in Latin, French and German at the Holy See, and the Apostolic Letter issued “Motu Proprio” on Certain Modifications to the Norms Governing the Election of the Roman Pontiff (22 February 2013), available at the Holy See.

• Christ’s Kingdom on Earth: or, The Church and Her Divine Constitution, Organization, and Framework, Explained for the People, by Rev. James L. Meagher (New York: Russell Bros., 1892). With Imprimatur. Available in multiple formats at Internet Archive and Open Library.  [See Chapter xii: “The College of Cardinals”.]

• The Externals of the Catholic Church: Her Government, Ceremonies, Festivals, Sacramentals, and Devotions, by Rev. John Francis Sullivan (New York : P. J. Kenedy & Sons, 1917). With Imprimatur. May be read online or downloaded in multiple formats at Internet Archive and Open Library (Digitizing sponsor: MSN, Book contributor: Kelly Library, University of Toronto). The 2nd edition with Imprimatur, revised to conform to the new code of canon law (New York: P. J. Kenedy & sons, 1918), may be read online or downloaded in multiple formats at Open Library. [See Chapter ii: “The Cardinals and the Roman Court”.]

• The Visible Church, Her Government, Ceremonies, Sacramentals, Festivals and Devotions, a Compendium of “The Externals of the Catholic Church”, 5th ed., rev., by Rev. John F. Sullivan; with 120 illustrations from pen drawings by the author. (New York: P.J. Kenedy & Sons, 1922). Available at Open Library. [See Lesson 2: “The Cardinals and the Roman Court”.]

On the Feast of St. John Fisher, Cardinal of the Roman Church, and St. Thomas More in the Ordinary Form of the Roman Rite. From the text:

“Although not every Cardinal will be called to give his life in red martyrdom for the sake of the Church and, above all, for the sake of the exercise of the ministry of the Vicar of Christ on earth, he is called daily to be intrepid, to give his life in white martyrdom, steadfastly and courageously defending the Catholic Church and her holy faith in the care of Saint Peter and his successors…

“The Cardinal today is called, in a special way, to assist the Roman Pontiff in announcing all of the truths of the faith, but, in a particular way, the truth regarding the natural moral law to be observed for the good of all in society… [and] to assist the Successor of Saint Peter, in handing on, in an unbroken organic line, what Christ Himself has given us in the Church, His Eucharistic Sacrifice…”

Online text: “St. Thomas More, Christopher St. German, and the Schism of King Henry VIII”, by Samuel Gregg

Sir Thomas More, by Hans Holbein the Younger. Image from Wikipedia

See this online text:

• “Legal Revolution: St. Thomas More, Christopher St. German, and the Schism of King Henry VIII”, by Samuel Gregg, Ave Maria Law Review, vol. 5, issue 1 (2007): pp. 173-206. Available in pdf format (on this page) at Ave Maria Law Review.

On the Feast of St. Thomas More in the Roman Rite.

“We have passed God’s scrutiny, and he has seen fit to entrust us with the work of preaching; when we speak, it is with this in view; we would earn God’s good opinion, not man’s, since it is God who scrutinizes our hearts.” (I Thess. ii, 4)

Online ebook: On Integral Human Development in Charity and Truth, by Pope Benedict XVI

See this online text:

• Encyclical Letter “Caritas in Veritate” on Integral Human Development in Charity and Truth, by Pope Benedict XVI, June 29, 2009. May be read online at the Holy See; and available in pdf format (here) at the Catholic Church in England and Wales.

See also the following materials or index of materials concerning the encyclical:

• “Caritas in Veritate: Resource Material” at the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.
• Fraternity, Reciprocity and New Economic Problems, a brilliant and incisive lecture by Professor Stefano Zamagni, 15 April 2010.
• “Pope Benedict XVI’s encyclical ‘Caritas in Veritate’”, a list of links to online resouces, by Christopher Blosser, July 7, 2009, at First Things.

Posted on the occasion of World Humanist Day 2018. From the text:

“Only if we are aware of our calling, as individuals and as a community, to be part of God’s family as his sons and daughters, will we be able to generate a new vision and muster new energy in the service of a truly integral humanism. The greatest service to development, then, is a Christian humanism that enkindles charity and takes its lead from truth, accepting both as a lasting gift from God.

“Openness to God makes us open towards our brothers and sisters and towards an understanding of life as a joyful task to be accomplished in a spirit of solidarity. On the other hand, ideological rejection of God and an atheism of indifference, oblivious to the Creator and at risk of becoming equally oblivious to human values, constitute some of the chief obstacles to development today. A humanism which excludes God is an inhuman humanism…

“Development requires attention to the spiritual life, a serious consideration of the experiences of trust in God, spiritual fellowship in Christ, reliance upon God’s providence and mercy, love and forgiveness, self-denial, acceptance of others, justice and peace… All this is of man, because man is the subject of his own existence; and at the same time it is of God, because God is at the beginning and end of all that is good, all that leads to salvation…”

 

 

 

 

Online text: “Refugees: A Challenge to Solidarity”, by the Pontifical Council Cor Unum

See this online text:

• Refugees: A Challenge to Solidarity, by the Pontifical Council “Cor Unum” and the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People, October 2, 1992. May be read online at the Holy See.

One may also look at the following essays prudentially applying the norms set out in the above document to current issues concerning the movement of refugees/migrants/asylum-seekers from the Middle East to Europe:

• “A Catholic Answer to the Refugee Crisis”, by Mark Mallett, February 6, 2017 at The Now Word (linked from Saint Philip Parish)
• “Refugees: ‘A Shameful Wound of Our Time’?”, by Charlie Johnson, November 21, 2015 at Catholic Stand.

Posted on World Refugee Day, 2018.

“‘[{T}he universal common good] includes the whole family of peoples, beyond every nationalistic egoism. The right to emigrate must be considered in this context…’ At the same time, States have the right to regulate migration flows and to defend their own frontiers, always guaranteeing the respect due to the dignity of each and every human person. Immigrants, moreover, have the duty to integrate into the host Country, respecting its laws and its national identity…

“The situation of refugees and of the other forced migrants, who are an important part of the migration phenomenon, should be specifically considered in the light of the theme ‘One human family’. For these people who flee from violence and persecution the International Community has taken on precise commitments. Respect of their rights, as well as the legitimate concern for security and social coherence, foster a stable and harmonious coexistence.” (Pope Benedict XVI, Message for the 97th World Day of Migrants and Refugees [2011])

Free ebooks: “The Arians of the Fourth Century”, by Cardinal Newman (various editions)

See these legally free ebooks:

• The Arians of the Fourth Century: Their Doctrine, Temper, and Conduct, Chiefly as Exhibited in the Councils of the Church, between A.D. 325, & A.D. 381, 2^nd edition, by Blessed John Henry Newman (E. Lumley, 1854). May be read online, and available in various formats (pdf, epu, mobi/kindle, etc.), at Open Library and Internet Archive, with a second copy at Open Library and Internet Archive, and another copy at Hathi Trust Digital Library.
  • The 1^st edition of the same title (London: J. & F. Rivington, 1833), written before Blessed Newman was converted to the one true and Catholic faith, is available at Internet Archive and Open Library, with a second copy at Internet Archive and Open Library, and a third copy at Internet Archive and Open Library, and a fourth copy at Open Library and Internet Archive; and it may be read online at e-Catholic 2000.
• Subsequent editions have the shorter title, The Arians of the Fourth Century:
  • The 3^rd edition (London: E. Lumley, 1871) is available at Internet Archive and Open Library, with a second copy at Open Library and Internet Archive, and at Hathi Trust Digital Library.
  • The 4^th edition (London: Basil Montague Pickering, 1876) is available at Hathi Trust Digital Library.
  • An edition “Printed for Private Circulation Only”, as stated in the copyright page (London, 1871) is available at Open Library and Internet Archive.
  • The 5^th edition (London, New York: Longmans, Green and Co., 1888) is available at Open Library and Internet Archive, with another impression (London: Pickering and Co., 1883) available at Open Library.
  • The 6^th edition (London, New York: Longmans, Green and Co., 1890) is available at Internet Archive and Open Library, with a second copy at Internet Archive.
  • The 7^th edition (London, New York: Longmans, Green and Co., 1890) is available at Open Library and Internet Archive, with a second copy at Internet Archive, and a third copy at Internet Archive; and at Hathi Trust Digital Library and Google Books.
  • A “New Edition” (London, New York: Longmans, Green, and Co., 1891) is available at Open Library and Internet Archive, and at Hathi Trust Digital Library.
  • A “new impression” (London, New York, Bombay: Longmans, Green, and Co., 1897) is available at Open Library and Internet Archive.
  • A subsequent impression (London, New York, Bombay: Longmans, Green, and Co., 1901) is available at Internet Archive and Open Library.
  • A later impression (London, New York, Bombay, Calcutta: Longmans, Green, and Co., 1908) is available at Open Library and Internet Archive, and may be read online at Newman Reader (revised September 2002).
  • An even later impression (London, New York, Bombay, Calcutta, Madras: Longmans, Green, and Co., 1919) may be read online, and is available in various formats (pdf, epu, mobi/kindle, etc.) at Open Library and Internet Archive.
• The work is also available for purchase:
  • An ebook of an unknown edition may be purchased at Google Books.
  • The Birmingham Oratory Millennium Edition, in hardback format, may be purchased at the Catholic Truth Society Bookshop. [N.B., With introduction and notes by Dr. Rowan Williams, a noteworthy but non-Catholic scholar and formerly the seniormost ecclesiastic in the Anglican communion. We have not read the work and hence cannot suggest whether Catholic Christian readers, especially those without sufficient theological formation, should avoid reading the said introduction and notes or should read them with prayerful caution.]

On the anniversary of the First Council of Nicaea (ended 19 June AD 325).

“But some one will ask, How is it then, that certain excellent persons, and of position in the Church, are often permitted by God to preach novel doctrines to Catholics?… Let us listen, then, to Holy Moses… [who] writes thus in Deuteronomy… For the Lord, your God, tries you, to know whether you love Him with all your heart and with all your soul. The reason is clearer than day why Divine Providence sometimes permits certain doctors of the Churches to preach new doctrines — That the Lord your God may try you” (Saint Vincent of Lerins, Commonitory For the Antiquity and Universality of the Catholic Faith Against the Profane Novelties of All Heresies, x)

 

 

Online ebook: “Growth in Holiness”, by Frederick William Faber

See this online ebook:

• Growth in Holiness; or, The Progress of the Spiritual Life, by Frederick William Faber, 1814-1863 (Baltimore: John Murphy and Co.; Pittsburgh: George Quigley, 1855). With approbation. Available in pdf, epub, mobi, and other formats at Internet Archive; and available at Hathitrust Digital Library and Google Books.

On the Feast of Saint Ephrem the Syrian, Doctor of the Church, in the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite.

“Would that other ecclesiastical teachers learn from him how skilfully, how diligently they must work in preaching the doctrine of Christ! And indeed the piety of the faithful has nothing stable and advantageous except to adhere entirely to the mysteries and precepts of the faith. Those who legitimately teach the Sacred Scriptures are warned by the example of the Edessine not to distort the Sacred Scriptures to the good pleasure of their own inclinations, nor, in investigating them, to depart a finger’s breadth from the constant interpretation of the Church.” (Pope Benedict XV, Encyclical on St. Ephrem the Syrian “Principi Apostolorum Petro“, 16)

Online text: “Curtailing Cyberbullying Without Eroding Students’ Constitutional Rights”, by Olivia A. Weil

See this online text:

• “Preserving the Schoolhouse Gates: An Analytical Framework for Curtailing Cyberbullying Without Eroding Students’ Constitutional Rights”, by Olivia A. Weil, Ave Maria Law Review, vol. 11, issue 2 (2013): pp. 541-574. Available in pdf format (on this page) at Ave Maria Law Review.

Posted on Stop Cyberbullying Day, 2018.

Online ebook: “Pastoral Theology”, by Rev. William Stang

See this online ebook:

• Pastoral Theology, by Rev. William Stang (New York, Cincinnati, Chicago: Benziger Brothers, 1897). With Imprimatur. Available in pdf, epub, kindle/mobi, and other formats at Internet Archive, in pdf format at University of Toronto Libraries, at Google Books, and (with some pages accessible to members) at Forgotten Books.

Feast of St. John of Sahagun in the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite.