St Paul Catholic Church, in Phoenix, AZ; on April 20 2018.
The Encyclical Humanae Vitae Invites To Penance And Holy Eucharist.
Fifty years ago Blessed Pope Paul VI issued the encyclical letter, Humanae Vitae, on the right ordering the procreation of Children. Since many people are not well informed on the papal teaching in this important document, it is proper that here we say a word on it and especially on its appeal to parents to have recourse to the Sacraments of Penance and the Holy Eucharist.
The Pope teaches that the marriage of those who have been baptized is invested with the dignity of a sacramental sign of grace because it represents the union of Christ and his Church. "Husband and wife, through that mutual gift of themselves, which is specific and exclusive to them alone, develop that union of two persons in which they perfect one another, in order to cooperate with God in the generation and education of new lives" (n.8).
Church doctrine on the right ordering of the procreation of children "is based on the inseparable connection established by God, which man on his own initiative may not break, between the unitive significance and the procreative significance which are both inherent in the marriage act" (n.12).
This explains why contraception is against God's law (n.14).
This magisterial explanation of the divine law by the Catholic Church is clear and constant, and no one should try to modify it, because it is the truth and only the truth can make us free.
The encyclical reminds husband and wife that by the Sacrament of Matrimony "they are strengthened and, one might almost say, consecrated to the faithful fulfillment of their duties......Let them beg the help of God with unremitting prayer and most of all let them drink deep of the grace and charity from that unfailing fount which is the Eucharist. If, however, sin still exercises its hold over them, they are not to lose heart. Rather must they, humble and persevering, have recourse to the mercy of God, abundantly bestowed in the Sacrament of Penance" (n.25).
Priests are urged to be ministers of God's mercy and of encouragement, especially by correct teaching and the administration of the Sacraments of Penance and the Holy Eucharist.
My sisters and my brothers, the Second Vatican Council teaches us that the sacred liturgy is "the summit toward which the activity of the Church is directed; at the same time it is the fountain from which all her power flows" (SC, n.10).
Let us pray to the Most Blessed Virgin Mary, help of Christians, to obtain for every one of us the grace to take part in liturgical celebrations fully, consciously, and actively.
Francis Cardinal Arinze
April 20, 2018
Note from Frenchie:
Thank you for following this very important reminder. It has the merit to clarify many of the misconceptions many Catholics have regarding the Sacraments. In the days to come, we shall compare these with some of the practices we observe here on Guam, including (but not limited to) with the NCW practices.
This could be a very refreshing reassessment of the state of our Church on Guam/
