The Magisterium and Catholic Truth

By Sal Ciresi
Herald Columnist
(From the issue of 12/12/02)

Previous articles have explained that both Scripture and Tradition exhort the faithful to comprehend the truths of the Catholic Faith. Validating these two components, the Magisterium of the Catholic Church reiterates this intellectual exercise. The following Magisterial excerpts, taken from the Church’s two official catechisms (i.e. the Roman Catechism and Catechism of the Catholic Church), will be our last installment that discusses Catholic erudition.

The Roman Catechism (1566) states: "The whole concern of doctrine and its teaching must be directed to the love that never ends. Whether something is proposed for belief, for hope or for action, the love of our Lord must always be made accessible, so that anyone can see that all the works of perfect Christian virtue spring from love and have no other objective than to arrive at love" (preface 10). The Tridentine fathers wished to convey that the Lord Jesus Christ, Love Incarnate, is the motivation for the understanding and transmission of Catholic doctrine. This connection, between the Savior and the formation of the Catholic intellect and will, should be ever conscious before the aspiring student of theology.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church (1997) proclaims: "All the faithful share in understanding and handing on revealed truth. They have received the anointing of the Holy Spirit, who instructs them and guides them into all truth" (no. 91). Two conclusions can be drawn from this paragraph. First, the comprehension of revealed truth is not limited to a select few. Ideally, the graces received from the sacraments should equip every Catholic, who has the normal faculty of reason along with the gift of faith, to be able to grasp basic theological concepts. Second, every Catholic has some role to play in the teaching of Catholic truth. This may come through such opportunities as raising children, volunteering as a parish catechist, or through "office chat" during work. This teaching can only be properly engaged after study and reflection, which should give each of us an incentive to understanding Catholic faith and morals.

A myriad of Church documents related to the study of the Catholic Faith echo the Roman Catechism and the Catechism of the Catholic Church. The following texts provide a wealth of information: Pope St. Pius X’s Acerbo Nimis (1905); Pope Pius XI’s Provido Sane Consilio (1935); Vatican II’s Gravissimum Educationis (1965); Pope John Paul II’s Catechesi Tradendae (1979); and the Congregation for the Clergy’s General Directory for Catechesis (1997). These works address areas such as Christian education, catechesis, teaching methodology, catechetical organization and study sources. Every Catholic should be able to profit from this data in the pursuit of grasping Christian doctrine.

We can now close our examination of the exhortation to study Catholic truth as found in the components of Scripture, Tradition and the Magisterium. These components should shake each of us from any intellectual sloth. The comprehension and meditation of Catholic doctrine is a great grace that benefits the individual and the Church as a whole. Let us follow this import mandate and begin to deepen our knowledge of the Catholic Faith and its Redeemer.

Ciresi serves on the faculty of the Notre Dame Graduate School of Christendom College and directs the St. Jerome Biblical Guild.

Copyright ©2002 Arlington Catholic Herald.  All rights reserved.