Church and Dogma

By Father John A. Hardon, S.J. So far in the Apostles’ Creed we have been reflecting on the First and Second Persons of the Holy Trinity. The eighth article declares, “I believe in the Holy Spirit.” This is the only one of the twelve articles of the Church’s original Creed that directly professes faith in […]

By Father John A. Hardon, S.J. The first eight articles of the Apostles’ Creed are an expression of our faith in the Holy Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, Their work of creation, redemption and sanctification in the world. The ninth article is an act of faith in what God has produced among the family […]

By Father John A. Hardon, S.J. The article itself is plain enough: “I believe in the forgiveness of sin.” But note carefully this is an article of our Catholic faith. We might well ask, “Does not everyone who has any faith in God believe in the forgiveness of sins?” Yes, of course. The very notion […]

By Father John A. Hardon, S.J. The eleventh article of the Apostles’ Creed is a declaration of our faith in what will take place on the last day; and so we say, “I believe in the resurrection of the body.” As we take a closer scrutiny at this mystery it may be useful to note […]

By Father John A. Hardon, S.J. It is most appropriate that the Apostles’ Creed which begins with God should also end with God, for we come from God and we were made for Him; that’s what our destiny is all about. Our final act of faith declares, “I believe in life everlasting.” How do we […]

By Father John A. Hardon, S.J. No one has spoken more eloquently or more often on the subject of joy than St. John the evangelist; the most dramatic quotations from the Savior on His wanting us to have joy are given us by John. John’s teaching therefore on joy should be seen in relationship to […]

By Father John A. Hardon, S.J. The Infancy narratives of the gospels give us four of the most beautiful canticles of our faith. There is the Benedictus of Zachary at the birth of John the Baptist; there is the Magnificat of our Lady at the Visitation; there is the Gloria in Excelsi Deo of the […]

By Father John A. Hardon, S.J. It seems appropriate to look to making some useful resolutions. In fact, as St. Ignatius understood the Spiritual Exercises they were either to end with some definite resolutions or a person had not really made I don’t say a good retreat but a retreat. The purpose of looking back, […]

By Father John A. Hardon, S.J. After the angels had told the shepherds of the good news of great joy and further told them that they would find this Messiah, the Lord, lying in a manger, they took the angels at their word. They were simple people. Simple people don’t speculate. Once they trust you […]