credo ut intelligam - CatholicaPedia

then take the plunge into irrational "lifestyles", unable to reach into the mind and find that reality
which transcends the world now. The modesty the Virgin Mary displays is a model to remind us of
the boundaries we must confine ourselves within if would be unscathed by the "darts of the noonday
devil" (Ps. XC.6). We must pray to her for the grace to be modest and acquaint ourselves with acts of
penance to endure the imagined hardship of living a modest life.
Mary gave of herself completely to God. As we meditate upon the great wonder bestowed upon her
as Virgin Mother, we also turn to her charity in going to her cousin Elizabeth. This selflessness was
habitual, placing her on the path to Bethlehem, in the wilds of the desert traveling to Egypt, hidden
in the confines of Nazareth, and offering her Son at the foot of the Cross for our salvation. She was
willing to sacrifice the esteem of men by outwardly appearing to be a mother like every other woman;
she was willing to sacrifice her Son to the most cruel sufferings for us; she was willing to sacrifice
her reputation by being at the execution of her Son; she was willing to be the mother of those
responsible for her Son's death. Why? Because she loved us, sinners as we are, because her divine
Son loved us. In contrast to this charity, this complete giving of self, the unchaste gives in to selfgratification
without respect to others. The unchaste find only themselves in their acts and reject any
thought of love of God or neighbor.
Portraying the Annunciation of the Angel Gabriel to Mary, Giotto, Simone Martini, and Fra Angelico,
to name a few great artists, have the blessed Virgin praying. Holy Mother Church has never
ceased to insist that prayer is necessary to preserve spotless chastity. Pope Pius XII, in his encyclical
on Holy Virginity (1954), insists: "to preserve chastity unstained neither vigilance nor modesty suffice.
Those helps must also be used which entirely surpass the powers of nature, namely prayer to
God, the Sacraments of Penance and Holy Eucharist, a fervent devotion to the most holy Mother of
God. Never should it be forgotten that perfect chastity is a great gift of God. For this reason Jerome
wrote these succinct words, "It is given to those, who have asked for it, who have desired it, who
have worked to receive it. For it will be given to everyone who asks, the seeker will find, to the importunate
it will be opened." Ambrose adds that the constant fidelity of virgins to their Divine
Spouse depends upon prayer. With that fervent piety for which he was noted St. Alphonsus Liguori
taught that there is no help more necessary and certain for conquering temptations against the beautiful
virtue of chastity than instant recourse to God in prayer. To prayer must be added frequent and
fervent use of the Sacrament of Penance which, as a spiritual medicine, purifies and heals us; likewise
it is necessary to receive the Eucharist, which... is the best remedy against lust.
As we contemplate the divine Christ Child in the manager, let us promise Him our chastity. Let us
renew our belief in the virginal birth of Christ and Mary's perpetual virginity, a corner stone that
once removed allows chastity to crumble, k alone is the cure to the moral decadence that has encompassed
society. By our fidelity in preserving chastity, our hearts will be thrones from where He
reigns.
I wish to thank all who have helped support the Chapels, the School, and the Publication during the
past year by your prayers and gifts. It has been extremely difficult to fulfill all of my duties and keep
up with writing the Insight into the Catholic faith, and I ask your indulgence with an assurance of
my desire to continue its publication.
All the Faithful are remembered in Mass on Christmas Day, especially those who themselves cannot
be present forthe august Sacrifice because of illness, age or for want of priests to offer Holy Mass in
their regions.
Wishing all a blessed Christmas and asking Our Divine Saviour to bestow His blessings upon all
during the coming New Year.
In His Service,
Father Courtney Edward Krier
XXXI - 200 -