Chaste livingslides

Chaste Living
Journey of Discipleship
August 10, 2013
Ss. James & Patrick Parish

Prayer
Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Thy faithful and
enkindle in them the fire of Thy love.
Send forth Thy Spirit and they shall be created.
And Thou shalt renew the face of the earth.
Let us pray.
O God, Who didst instruct the hearts of the
faithful by the light of the Holy Spirit, grant us in
the same Spirit to be truly wise, and ever to
rejoice in His consolation. Through Christ our
Lord. Amen.

Today’s Goal
• How can I be a more faithful and engaged
disciple?
• How can I be holy in this age?
• How can we do this together?

Carlos’ Testimony
• Trust: Parents, siblings, uncles
• Curiosity: Confirmation preparation
• Openness: My silent blackness
• Seeking: Baptismal grace
• Discipleship: Graduate school
• Apostolate: Voilà!
– Gaudium et spes 22 & 24

GS: Pastoral Constitution from VATII
• #22
– “Christ…fully reveals man to man himself and
makes his supreme calling clear.”
• #24
– “Man…cannot fully find
himself except through a
sincere gift of himself.”

Thresholds of Conversion
• Initial Trust
– a positive association with the Church that
makes it possible to move closer to God. It
could be a Catholic friend, a good experience
with a Catholic school or hospital, or maybe
even a positive image of the Church portrayed
in a book or movie.

• Spiritual Curiosity
– a person showing an interest in the Catholic
faith or Jesus Christ; his life, his teachings.
• Awareness: there are more possibilities than they
had imagined or experienced. (Like having a
personal relationship with a God who loves you).
• Engagement: taking steps on his/her own (making
friends with a Christian, reading about Jesus, etc.)
• Exchange: Intense curiosity. Not just listening but
asking questions and exchanging ideas.

• Spiritual Openness
– a willingness to personally and spiritually
change. NOT a commitment to change.
Curiosity says, “Tell me a little more.”
Openness says, “If this turns out to be true,
my life is forever changed. And I’d have to
follow through on that.”
– Frequently openness is triggered by a crisis or
major life change.

• Spiritual Seeking
– intentionally exploring a relationship with
Christ and his Church and the possibility of
discipleship. “dating with a purpose”.

• Intentional Discipleship
– the decision to “drop one’s nets”, to make a
conscience commitment to follow Jesus in the
midst of his Church and to reorder one’s life
so as to be an obedient disciple.

Re: Conversion
• Almost all “active” Catholics are, at least, at
trust.
• All indicators are that the majority of “active”
Catholics are in more passive stages of
spiritual development: trust/curiosity.
• Many of the 70% of Catholics who are
inactive are at pre-trust.

Normative, but not normal!
1. Personal interior journey of a lived
relationship with Christ resulting in
intentional discipleship. ─ See page 33
2. Ecclesial journey into the church through
reception of the sacraments of initiation.
3. The journey of active practice (as evidenced
by receiving the sacraments, attending
Mass and participating in the life and
mission of the Christian community.)

Me, Myself & I
The Year of Faith, New Evangelization and
Journey of Discipleship are fundamentally
about personal holiness – it’s the only
thing we have direct influence over!
─ See pages 35 and 37

The Vocation to ChastityThe Vocation to Chastity
Chastity means the successful integration ofChastity means the successful integration of
sexuality within the person and thus thesexuality within the person and thus the
inner unity of man in his bodily andinner unity of man in his bodily and
spiritual being.spiritual being.
(CCC #2337)(CCC #2337)
Chastity should be understood as theChastity should be understood as the
purity and stewardship of apurity and stewardship of a
precious and rich giftprecious and rich gift
of love, in view of theof love, in view of the
self-giving realized in eachself-giving realized in each
person’s specific vocation.person’s specific vocation.

Chastity and BaptismChastity and Baptism
• All Christ’s faithful are called to leadAll Christ’s faithful are called to lead
a chaste life in keeping with theira chaste life in keeping with their
particular states in life.particular states in life.
• At the moment of Baptism, theAt the moment of Baptism, the
Christian is pledged to lead hisChristian is pledged to lead his
affective life in chastity.affective life in chastity. (CCC # 2348)(CCC # 2348)
• All the baptized are called toAll the baptized are called to
chastity.chastity.
• The Christian has “put onThe Christian has “put on
Christ”, the model of allChrist”, the model of all
chastitychastity.

Chastity,Chastity, TheThe
VirtueVirtue
• Chastity is a moral virtue.Chastity is a moral virtue.
• It comes under the cardinal virtue ofIt comes under the cardinal virtue of
temperance.temperance.
• It is also a gift from God, a grace, a fruit ofIt is also a gift from God, a grace, a fruit of
the Holy Spirit.the Holy Spirit.
• The Holy Spirit enables one whom the waterThe Holy Spirit enables one whom the water
of Baptism has regenerated to imitate theof Baptism has regenerated to imitate the
purity of Christ.purity of Christ. (CCC # 2345)(CCC # 2345)

ChastityChastity
•““Purity requires modesty”Purity requires modesty”
– ““Modesty protects the intimate center of theModesty protects the intimate center of the
person. It means refusing to unveil whatperson. It means refusing to unveil what
should remain hidden.”should remain hidden.” (CCC # )(CCC # )
•ModestyModesty
– protects the inner center of the person.protects the inner center of the person.
– Teaching modesty to children andTeaching modesty to children and
adolescents means awakening in themadolescents means awakening in them
respect for the human person .respect for the human person . (CCC # )(CCC # )
““Blessed are the pure ofBlessed are the pure of
heart for they shall seeheart for they shall see
God”God”

Chastity includes…Chastity includes… an apprenticeship in self-an apprenticeship in self-
mastery which is a training in human freedom.mastery which is a training in human freedom.
The alternative is clear:The alternative is clear: either man governs hiseither man governs his
passions and finds peace, or he lets himself bepassions and finds peace, or he lets himself be
dominated by them and becomes unhappy.dominated by them and becomes unhappy. (CCC(CCC
#2339)#2339)
The virtue of chastityThe virtue of chastity comes under the cardinalcomes under the cardinal
virtue of temperance, which seeks to permeatevirtue of temperance, which seeks to permeate
the passions and appetites of the senses withthe passions and appetites of the senses with
reason.reason. (CCC #2341)(CCC #2341)
We are ministers, not masters,We are ministers, not masters,
of God’s gifts of life and love.of God’s gifts of life and love.

Human SexualityHuman Sexuality
Wonderful Gift; AwesomeWonderful Gift; Awesome
ResponsibilityResponsibility
We want to make clear that we believeWe want to make clear that we believe
human sexuality is a gift. We approachhuman sexuality is a gift. We approach
this topic with a deep and abiding sensethis topic with a deep and abiding sense
of appreciation, wonder, and respect. Weof appreciation, wonder, and respect. We
are dealing with a divine gift, a primaryare dealing with a divine gift, a primary
dimension of each person, a mysteriousdimension of each person, a mysterious
blend of spirit and body, which shares inblend of spirit and body, which shares in
God’s own creative love and life .God’s own creative love and life . ((Human
Sexuality: A Catholic Perspective for Education and Lifelong Learning,
USCCB )

Root of Marriage &Root of Marriage &
SexualitySexuality
In the beginning……..the beginning……..

In the beginning,In the beginning,
““God created manGod created man
In his own image,In his own image,
In the image of God he created him;In the image of God he created him;
Male and female he created them.Male and female he created them.
And God blessed them,And God blessed them,
And God said to them,And God said to them,
‘‘Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth.”Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth.”
(Gen 1:27-28)

Sexuality, in which man’s belonging toSexuality, in which man’s belonging to
the bodily and biological world isthe bodily and biological world is
expressed, becomes personal andexpressed, becomes personal and
truly human when it is integratedtruly human when it is integrated
into the relationship of one personinto the relationship of one person
to another, in the complete andto another, in the complete and
lifelong mutual gift of a man and alifelong mutual gift of a man and a
woman.woman.
(CCC #2337)(CCC #2337)
This gift of man toThis gift of man to
woman can only bewoman can only be
given fully andgiven fully and
appropriately inappropriately in
marriage.marriage.

MarriageMarriage
•The intimate community of life andThe intimate community of life and
love which constitutes the marriedlove which constitutes the married
state has been established by thestate has been established by the
Creator and endowed by him withCreator and endowed by him with
its own proper laws.its own proper laws.
•God himself is the author ofGod himself is the author of
marriagemarriage. (. (Gaudium et SpesGaudium et Spes, 48), 48)

Marriage in the Order of CreationMarriage in the Order of Creation
The vocation to marriage is written inThe vocation to marriage is written in
the very nature of man and woman asthe very nature of man and woman as
they came from the hand of thethey came from the hand of the
Creator.Creator.
Marriage is not purely a humanMarriage is not purely a human
institution despite the manyinstitution despite the many
variations it may have undergone thevariations it may have undergone the
our the centuries…..our the centuries…..
These differences should not cause usThese differences should not cause us
to forget its common and permanentto forget its common and permanent
characteristics.characteristics.
(CCC #1603)(CCC #1603)

Marriage in the Order of CreationMarriage in the Order of Creation
Although the dignity of this institutionAlthough the dignity of this institution
is not transparent everywhere withis not transparent everywhere with
the same clarity, some sense of thethe same clarity, some sense of the
greatness of the matrimonial uniongreatness of the matrimonial union
exists in all cultures.exists in all cultures.
““The well being of the individualThe well being of the individual
person and of both the human andperson and of both the human and
Christian society is closely bound upChristian society is closely bound up
with the healthy stat of conjugal andwith the healthy stat of conjugal and
family life.”family life.”
(CCC #1603 &(CCC #1603 & Gaudium et spes #Gaudium et spes #47)47)

ofof
MarriageMarriage
ofof
MarriageMarriageBoth give themselvesBoth give themselves
definitely and totally to onedefinitely and totally to one
another. They are noanother. They are no
longer two; from now onlonger two; from now on
they form one flesh.they form one flesh.
The covenant they freelyThe covenant they freely
contracted imposes thecontracted imposes the
obligation to preserve it asobligation to preserve it as
unique and indissoluble.unique and indissoluble.
“What God has“What God has
joined together, let no manjoined together, let no man
put asunder”put asunder”
(CCC #2364)(CCC #2364)

Characteristics ofCharacteristics of
Married LoveMarried Love

Fully HumanFully Human

TotalTotal

Faithful andFaithful and
ExclusiveExclusive

Creative of LifeCreative of Life
((Familiaris consortio,Familiaris consortio,
Humanae vitaeHumanae vitae))

Fully HumanFully Human
This love is above all fully human,This love is above all fully human,
a compound ofa compound of
sense and spirit.sense and spirit.
It is not, then, merely a question ofIt is not, then, merely a question of
natural instinct ornatural instinct or
emotional drive.emotional drive.
It is also, and above all, an act of free will,It is also, and above all, an act of free will,
whose dynamism ensures that not only doeswhose dynamism ensures that not only does
it endure through the joys and sorrows ofit endure through the joys and sorrows of
daily life,daily life,
but also that it grows, so that husband and wifebut also that it grows, so that husband and wife
become one heart and one soul, andbecome one heart and one soul, and

TotalTotalThen it is a love which isThen it is a love which is
total - that very special form oftotal - that very special form of
personal friendship in which husbandpersonal friendship in which husband
and wife generously share everything,and wife generously share everything,
allowing no unreasonable exceptions orallowing no unreasonable exceptions or
thinking just of their own interests.thinking just of their own interests.
Whoever really loves his partner lovesWhoever really loves his partner loves
not only what he receives, but loves thatnot only what he receives, but loves that
partner for her own sake, content to bepartner for her own sake, content to be
able to enrich the other with the gift ofable to enrich the other with the gift of
himself.himself. (Humanae Vitae #9)

Married love is faithful and exclusive of allMarried love is faithful and exclusive of all
other, and this until death.other, and this until death.
This is how husband and wife understand it onThis is how husband and wife understand it on
the day on which they freely vowedthe day on which they freely vowed
themselves to one another in marriage.themselves to one another in marriage.
Though this fidelity of husband and wifeThough this fidelity of husband and wife
sometimes presents difficulties, no one cansometimes presents difficulties, no one can
assert that it is impossible, for it is alwaysassert that it is impossible, for it is always
honorable and worthy of highest esteem.honorable and worthy of highest esteem.
The example of so many married couples downThe example of so many married couples down
through the centuries shows not only thatthrough the centuries shows not only that
fidelity is natural to marriage but also that itfidelity is natural to marriage but also that it
is the source of profound and enduringis the source of profound and enduring
happiness.happiness. ((Humanae vitae #Humanae vitae #9)9)
Faithful andFaithful and
ExclusiveExclusive

Creative of LifeCreative of Life
This (married) love is creative of life, for itThis (married) love is creative of life, for it
is not exhausted by the loving interchangeis not exhausted by the loving interchange
of husband and wife, but also contrives toof husband and wife, but also contrives to
go beyond this to bring new life intogo beyond this to bring new life into
being.being.
““Married and conjugal love are by theirMarried and conjugal love are by their
nature ordained toward the begettingnature ordained toward the begetting
and educating of children.and educating of children.
Children are really the supremeChildren are really the supreme
gift of marriage”gift of marriage”
((Humanae Vitae #Humanae Vitae #9;9; Gaudium et SpesGaudium et Spes

Thus the couple,Thus the couple,
while giving themselveswhile giving themselves
to one another, giveto one another, give
not just themselves butnot just themselves but
the reality of children,the reality of children,
who are a livingwho are a living
reflection of their love,reflection of their love,
a permanent sign ofa permanent sign of
conjugal unity and aconjugal unity and a
living and inseparableliving and inseparable
synthesis of theirsynthesis of their
being a father and abeing a father and a
mother.mother. (Familiaris consortio
#14)

The conjugal covenant ofThe conjugal covenant of
marriage opens the spouses tomarriage opens the spouses to
a lasting communion of lovea lasting communion of love
and life, and it is brought toand life, and it is brought to
completion in a full andcompletion in a full and
specific way with thespecific way with the
procreation of children.procreation of children.
The communion of spousesThe communion of spouses
gives rise to the communitygives rise to the community
Marriage and FamilyMarriage and Family

St. AugustineSt. Augustine
Three Cardinal Goods ofThree Cardinal Goods of
MarriageMarriage
• SacramentumSacramentum:: indissoluble unityindissoluble unity
of husband and wifeof husband and wife
• ProlesProles:: offspring to be begotten lovingly andoffspring to be begotten lovingly and
nurtured humanelynurtured humanely
• Fides:Fides: steadfast fidelity between husbandsteadfast fidelity between husband
and wifeand wife
Augustine enfleshes St. Clement’s principle withAugustine enfleshes St. Clement’s principle with
goodness and chastity.goodness and chastity.

LumenLumen
FideiFidei
The first setting in which faithThe first setting in which faith
enlightens the human city is the family. Ienlightens the human city is the family. I
think first and foremost of the stable unionthink first and foremost of the stable union
of man and woman in marriage.of man and woman in marriage.
This union is born of their love, as a sign andThis union is born of their love, as a sign and
presence of God’s own love, and of thepresence of God’s own love, and of the
acknowledgment and acceptance of theacknowledgment and acceptance of the
goodness of sexual differentiation, wherebygoodness of sexual differentiation, whereby
spouses can become one fleshspouses can become one flesh (cf.(cf. Gen 2:24)Gen 2:24) andand
are enabled to give birth to a new life, aare enabled to give birth to a new life, a
manifestation of the Creator’s goodness,manifestation of the Creator’s goodness,
wisdom and loving planwisdom and loving plan. (Lumen Fidei #52)

Grounded in this love, a man and a woman canGrounded in this love, a man and a woman can
promise each other mutual love in a gesture whichpromise each other mutual love in a gesture which
engages their entire lives and mirrors manyengages their entire lives and mirrors many
features of faith.features of faith.
Promising love for ever is possible when wePromising love for ever is possible when we
perceive a plan bigger than our own ideas andperceive a plan bigger than our own ideas and
undertakings, a plan which sustains us andundertakings, a plan which sustains us and
enables us to surrender our future entirely to theenables us to surrender our future entirely to the
one we love.one we love.
Faith also helps us to grasp in all its depthFaith also helps us to grasp in all its depth
and richness the begetting of children,and richness the begetting of children,
as a sign of the love ofas a sign of the love of
the Creator who entruststhe Creator who entrusts
us with the mysteryus with the mystery
of a new person.of a new person. ((Lumen Fidei #52Lumen Fidei #52))

The Nuptial MeaningThe Nuptial Meaning
of the Bodyof the Body
“And the two shall become one”
Recommitment
in conjugal Love

This one, at last,This one, at last,
is flesh of myis flesh of my
flesh, boneflesh, bone
of myof my
bone.bone.
This oneThis one
shall be calledshall be called
womanwoman
for out offor out of
her manher man
this onethis one
has beenhas been
taken.taken.
(Genesis 2: 23)(Genesis 2: 23)

Life GivingLife Giving
LoveLove
Indeed, by itsIndeed, by its
intimate structure,intimate structure,
the conjugal act,the conjugal act,
which while mostwhich while most
closely uniting theclosely uniting the
couple, makes themcouple, makes them
capable of generatingcapable of generating
new lives, accordingnew lives, according
to theto the
lawslaws
inscribed in theinscribed in the
very being ofvery being of
man andman and
woman.woman.
The Unitive andThe Unitive and
ProcreativeProcreative
nature ofnature of

Two Inseparable Aspects:Two Inseparable Aspects:
Union and ProcreationUnion and Procreation
That teaching…..is founded upon theThat teaching…..is founded upon the
inseparable connection, willed byinseparable connection, willed by
God himself, and unable to beGod himself, and unable to be
broken by man on his ownbroken by man on his own
initiative,initiative,
between the two meaningsbetween the two meanings
of the conjugal act:of the conjugal act:
the unitive andthe unitive and
thethe

Applying the Teaching
Unitive - uniting the couple in love
Procreative - creative (open to) new life
LoveLove
LifeLife

MaritalMarital
ChastityChastity
• Married people are called to love with conjugalMarried people are called to love with conjugal
chastity.chastity.
• That is, their love is to be total, faithful, exclusive,That is, their love is to be total, faithful, exclusive,
and open to lifeand open to life. (. (Humanae vitae #Humanae vitae #9)9)
• Conjugal love merges the human and the divine,Conjugal love merges the human and the divine,
leading the partners to a free and mutual self-giving.leading the partners to a free and mutual self-giving.
• The practice of marital chastity ensures that bothThe practice of marital chastity ensures that both
husband and wife will strive to live as a gift of self,husband and wife will strive to live as a gift of self,
one to the other, generously.one to the other, generously.
• In other words, marital chastity protects a greatIn other words, marital chastity protects a great
good: the communion of persons and the procreativegood: the communion of persons and the procreative
purposes of marriage.purposes of marriage. ((Marriage Love and Life in the DivineMarriage Love and Life in the Divine
PlanPlan USCCB, 2009)USCCB, 2009)

Conjugal LoveConjugal Love
To experience the gift of married love whileTo experience the gift of married love while
respecting the laws of conception is torespecting the laws of conception is to
acknowledge that one is not the master ofacknowledge that one is not the master of
the sources of life but rather the ministerthe sources of life but rather the minister
of the design establishedof the design established
by the Creator.by the Creator.
((Marriage: Life and Love in the Divine PlanMarriage: Life and Love in the Divine Plan , USCCB,, USCCB, Humanae vitaeHumanae vitae,,
quoting Pope John XXIII, On Christianity and Social Progress)quoting Pope John XXIII, On Christianity and Social Progress)

Open toOpen to
LifeLife
Fecundity is a gift, an end of marriage, forFecundity is a gift, an end of marriage, for
conjugal love naturally tends to be fruitful.conjugal love naturally tends to be fruitful.
A child does not come from outside asA child does not come from outside as
something added on to the mutual love ofsomething added on to the mutual love of
the spouses, but from the very heart of thethe spouses, but from the very heart of the
mutual giving, as its fruit and fulfillment.mutual giving, as its fruit and fulfillment.
So the Church, which is “on the side ofSo the Church, which is “on the side of
Life’, teaches that “it is necessary that eachLife’, teaches that “it is necessary that each
and every marriage act remains orderedand every marriage act remains ordered
per seper se to the procreation of human life.”to the procreation of human life.”
(CCC #2366,(CCC #2366, Humanae vitae #Humanae vitae # 11)11)

Lambeth Conference 1930Lambeth Conference 1930
Anglican ChurchAnglican Church
• Anglican bishops approved contraception
– Bishops considered “Catholic”
– following sharply polarized debate
• Resolution 15 pronounced a qualified
acceptance of use of artificial birth control in
marriage.
• Broke almost 2000 years of Christian tradition

Responses to Lambeth
Journalists gave conflicting info: general approval
to an unfavorable response
– Advertisement: “Have no more moral
scruples. 193 Bishops voted in favor of
suitable methods of birth control.”
– “Lambeth has delivered a fatal blow to
marriage, to motherhood, to fatherhood, to
the family, and to morality. It has paved the
way to race suicide.”
– Other writers saw that its effect would
stimulate the general advocacy of easier
divorce and easier marriage laws.

Response to Lambeth,Response to Lambeth,
Dr.Dr.
Gore, Bishop of OxfordGore, Bishop of Oxford
• Said“..it is not unnatural that recourse is had, more and
more widely in many lands to the practice of abortion, so
that the heralds of birth control…are driven to advocate
the legalization of this practice”
• Understood the logic of this decision could lead to an
eventual acceptance of assisted suicide
• Noted that almost at the same time as Lambeth, Dr. Inge
at the Conference of Modern Churchmen, was urging the
reconsideration of the church’s condemnation of suicide
in extreme cases….and worried what a future Lambeth
conference may say about suicide. Europe today???
• Late 1990’s, Rev. Ronald Lawler, “Because we brokeLate 1990’s, Rev. Ronald Lawler, “Because we broke
unitive and procreative, we will see homosexualunitive and procreative, we will see homosexual
marriage.”marriage.” (One editor of the Catechism)

Roman Catholic Church ResponseRoman Catholic Church Response
Casti ConnubiCasti Connubi, Pius, Pius
XIXI
This conjugal faith, which is most aptlyThis conjugal faith, which is most aptly
called by St. Augustine the “faithcalled by St. Augustine the “faith
of chastity” blooms more freely, moreof chastity” blooms more freely, more
beautifully and more nobly, when it isbeautifully and more nobly, when it is
rooted in that more excellent soil, therooted in that more excellent soil, the
love of husband and wife which pervadeslove of husband and wife which pervades
all the duties of married life and holds aall the duties of married life and holds a
pride of place in Christian marriage. Forpride of place in Christian marriage. For
matrimonial faith demands that husbandmatrimonial faith demands that husband
and wife be joined in an especially holyand wife be joined in an especially holy
and pure love..as Christ loved hisand pure love..as Christ loved his
Church .”Church .” ((Casti Connubi #Casti Connubi #23)23)

Roman Catholic Church ResponseRoman Catholic Church Response
Casti Connubi, Pius XI

Reaffirms Church’s opposition to contraception

The mutual molding of a husband and wife,
this determined effort to perfect each other
can, in a very real sense, be said to be the
chief reason and purpose for marriage,
provided matrimony be looked at not in the
restricted sense as instituted solely for the
proper conception and education of the
child, but more widely, as the blending life
as a whole and mutual interchange of the
sharing thereof.” (par 24)

Separating theSeparating the
Unitive & ProcreativeUnitive & Procreative
• opposed to the natural Good
-God, His plan/design
• “In His image He made them, male and female”
• Anything that separates the unitive and
procreative aspects of conjugal love
is out of the natural order
• Pre-marital sex, cohabitation, homosexual activity, masturbation,
contraception, pornography, some infertility techniques, etc.
• “Intrinsically evil” = opposed to the natural Good
• SIN

Chastity andChastity and
BaptismBaptism
•All Christ’s faithful are called toAll Christ’s faithful are called to
lead a chaste life in keeping withlead a chaste life in keeping with
their particular states in life.their particular states in life.
(CCC #2348)(CCC #2348)
• All the baptized are calledAll the baptized are called
to chastity.to chastity.
• The Christian has “put onThe Christian has “put on
Christ”, the model of allChrist”, the model of all
chastitychastity.

(Persons with homosexual(Persons with homosexual
tendencies) must betendencies) must be
accepted with respect,accepted with respect,
compassion, and sensitivity.compassion, and sensitivity.
Every sign of unjustEvery sign of unjust
discrimination in theirdiscrimination in their
regard should be avoided.regard should be avoided.
They areThey are
called to fulfill God’s will incalled to fulfill God’s will in
their lives.their lives.
(CCC(CCC
#2358)#2358)
Homosexual persons areHomosexual persons are
Chastity andChastity and
HomosexualityHomosexuality

On Same Sex UnionsOn Same Sex Unions
Marriage is a unique union, aMarriage is a unique union, a
relationship different from all others.relationship different from all others.
It is a permanent bond between one manIt is a permanent bond between one man
and one woman whose two in one fleshand one woman whose two in one flesh
union of persons is an indispensableunion of persons is an indispensable
good at the heart of every family andgood at the heart of every family and
every society.every society.
Same sex unions are incapable ofSame sex unions are incapable of
realizing this specific union of persons.realizing this specific union of persons.

Therefore, attempting to redefine marriage toTherefore, attempting to redefine marriage to
include such relationships empties the terminclude such relationships empties the term
of its meaning, for it excludes the essentialof its meaning, for it excludes the essential
complementarity between man and woman,complementarity between man and woman,
treating sexual difference as if it weretreating sexual difference as if it were
irrelevant to marriage.irrelevant to marriage.
Male-female complementarity is intrinsic toMale-female complementarity is intrinsic to
marriage. It is naturally ordered towardmarriage. It is naturally ordered toward
authentic union and the generation of newauthentic union and the generation of new
life. Children are meant to be the gift of thelife. Children are meant to be the gift of the
permanent and exclusive union of a husbandpermanent and exclusive union of a husband
and wife.and wife. ((Marriage: Love and Life in the Divine PlanMarriage: Love and Life in the Divine Plan , USCCB,, USCCB,
2009)2009)
Same Sex UnionsSame Sex Unions

Year of Faith, Chastity & our Journey ofYear of Faith, Chastity & our Journey of
DiscipleshipDiscipleship
 This October marked the 50This October marked the 50thth
Anniversary of theAnniversary of the
Opening of the Second Vatican Council and theOpening of the Second Vatican Council and the
beginning of the Year of Faithbeginning of the Year of Faith
 As well as the 20As well as the 20thth
anniversary of the promulgation ofanniversary of the promulgation of
the Catechism of the Catholic Church.the Catechism of the Catholic Church.
 According to Pope John XXIII, “The Council wantedAccording to Pope John XXIII, “The Council wanted
“to transmit doctrine, pure and whole, without“to transmit doctrine, pure and whole, without
attenuations or misrepresentations,” in such a way thatattenuations or misrepresentations,” in such a way that
“this sure and immutable teaching, which must be“this sure and immutable teaching, which must be
respected faithfully, is elaborated and presented in arespected faithfully, is elaborated and presented in a
way which corresponds to the need of our time.”way which corresponds to the need of our time.”
(Pope(Pope
John XXIII, Address of the solemn opening of theJohn XXIII, Address of the solemn opening of the
Ecumenical Vatican Council II, October 11,Ecumenical Vatican Council II, October 11,
1962)1962)

Chastity isChastity is
““the spiritualthe spiritual
energy capable ofenergy capable of
defending lovedefending love
from the perilsfrom the perils
of selfishness andof selfishness and
aggressiveness, andaggressiveness, and
able to advance itable to advance it
toward it’s fulltoward it’s full
realization.”realization.”
(Familiaris consortio #33)(Familiaris consortio #33)

 Focus on the good of marriageFocus on the good of marriage
 Keep the question of marriage in the forefrontKeep the question of marriage in the forefront
 Joyfully offer the full, positive, vision of marriageJoyfully offer the full, positive, vision of marriage
 Reframe argumentsReframe arguments
 Be attentive to operative presuppositions: nature, theBe attentive to operative presuppositions: nature, the
body, love, freedom, chastity, etc.body, love, freedom, chastity, etc.
 Find and affirm positive intentions; reframe these in aFind and affirm positive intentions; reframe these in a
fuller contextfuller context
 E.g.: “JusticeE.g.: “Justice isis important…especially justice forimportant…especially justice for
children.”children.”
Discussing Same Sex UnionsDiscussing Same Sex Unions
with Love, Respect, Caringwith Love, Respect, Caring

 Sexual Difference: The difference is the difference; the
good of the two-in-one-flesh communion of persons of
husband and wife. Importance of unitive/procreative
 The Good of Children: The gift of the child and the
indispensable place of mothers and fathers
 Marriage and the Common Good: Addressing the
rights, fairness, non-discrimination, and equality
arguments in charity and truth
 All baptized persons are called to chastity.
 Marriage and Religious Liberty: The two stand or fall
together
 www.marriageuniqueforareason.org
Discussing Same Sex UnionsDiscussing Same Sex Unions
with Love, Respect, Caringwith Love, Respect, Caring

The Vocation to ChastityThe Vocation to Chastity
Chastity means the successful integration ofChastity means the successful integration of
sexuality within the person and thus thesexuality within the person and thus the
inner unity of man in his bodily andinner unity of man in his bodily and
spiritual being.spiritual being.
((CCCCCC #2337)#2337)
Chastity should be understood as theChastity should be understood as the
purity and stewardship of apurity and stewardship of a
precious and rich giftprecious and rich gift
of love, in view of theof love, in view of the
self-giving realized in each person’sself-giving realized in each person’s
specific vocation.specific vocation.
((Truth & Meaning. Of HumanTruth & Meaning. Of Human

The Magesterium on Chastity &The Magesterium on Chastity &
MarriageMarriage
• St. Augustine, 401
• Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2000
• Casti Connubi, Pope Pius XI, 1930’s
• Humanae vitae, Pope Paul VI, 1968
• Theology of the Body, Pope John Paul II, 1980’s
• Familiaris consortio, Pope John Paul II, 1980’s
• Letter to Families, Pope John Paul II, 1990’s
• Marriage: Life & Love in the Divine Plan,
USCCB, 2009
• Lumen Fidei, Pope Francis, 2013

The United States ConferenceThe United States Conference
of Catholic Bishops’of Catholic Bishops’
Pastoral Initiative on MarriagePastoral Initiative on Marriage
www.ForYourMarriage.orgwww.ForYourMarriage.org
www.usccb.orgwww.usccb.org
Laity, Marriage, Family Life & YouthLaity, Marriage, Family Life & Youth

The Angelus
The Angel of the Lord declared unto Mary:
And she conceived of the Holy Spirit.
Hail Mary…
Behold the handmaid of the Lord:
Be it done unto me according to Thy word.
Hail Mary . . .
And the Word was made Flesh:
And dwelt among us.
Hail Mary . . .
Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God,
that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray:
Pour forth, we beseech Thee, O Lord, Thy grace into our hearts; that we, to
whom the incarnation of Christ, Thy Son, was made known by the message of
an angel, may by His Passion and Cross be brought to the glory of His
Resurrection, through the same Christ Our Lord.
Amen.

Group or Individual Research
• Find a DVD, CD or book/articles/etc. that
interests you:
– 4 DVD players in parish house
– 3 CD players in parish house
– Quiet reading in the Church
• Come back at 1:10 to share
• EVERYONE is expected to share 1
nugget of knowledge/insight with the
group!

Loving = Gift of Self
• “I have found the paradox, that if you love
until it hurts, there can be no more hurt, only
more love.”
• “Intense love does not measure, it just gives.”

Our Lady of Fatima
"More souls go to Hell because of sins of the flesh than for any other reason. " Sr Lucia, the
last living Fatima seer, said this refers primarily to sins against chastity, also called sins
of impurity. The reason for this statement is not because sins against chastity are the
most grievous sins, but the most common and, as Sr Lucia stated, "because of
conscience, " since sins of impurity are less likely to be repented of than other sins.
Why? 1) because the sense of injustice committed, which is the primary stimulus to
repent of one's sins, is not strongly felt when engaging in them, with the exception of
adultery; 2) there is a greater sense of shame when committing certain impure acts and
hence greater difficulty confessing them in the sacrament of confession, or even
repenting of them in one's heart; 3) sexual activity of all kinds is presented by our post-
Christian — even anti-Christian — popular culture as natural and good, and sexual
abstinence is even taught to be unhealthy. The sixth commandment, relating to chastity,
has always been called "the difficult commandment." Today, with pornography
everywhere and women and girls dressing more immodestly than ever, it can almost be
called "the impossible commandment." However, Jesus assures us: "What is impossible
with men is possible with God." (Lk 18:27) We may add that all who invoke the Blessed
Virgin Mary for help in overcoming sins of impurity, will receive the grace to do so, as she
herself has revealed to St Bridget of Sweden and various other saints. And those who
strive to live chaste lives know from experience, when sins of impurity are humbly
repented of and confessed, a great burden is removed from our consciences, and we
experience that peace of soul that the world and carnal indulgence cannot give.
The Message of Our Lady of Fatima By Dom Augustine Marie, OSB

For Reflection (and action!)
• What did I learn today that challenges me
to live as a more faithful and engaged
Christian?
• What did I learn that helps me be holy
today?
• How does all of this challenge our parish?
• What am I going to do with/about my
“chastity nugget of knowledge”?

Prayer of Saint Francis of Assisi
Lord, make me an instrument of your
peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master, grant that I may not so
much seek to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to
eternal life.
Amen.

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