§ 2. On Preaching And Instruction

2269. • I. PASTORS are held to have SACRED SERMONS to the people committed to them, and this on Sundays and more principal Feasts. This is established from Trent, of which (in sess. 5, cap. 2, de Ref.) these are the words: "Whoever obtain the care of souls, by themselves, or by others suitable if they have been legitimately impeded, at least on Sundays and solemn feasts, shall feed the people committed to them, according to their own and the people's capacity, with salutary words; by teaching the things which it is necessary for all to know for salvation, and by announcing to them with brevity and facility of speech the vices which they ought to avoid, and the virtues which they ought to follow." Moreover (from sess. 24, cap. 4, de Ref.) the Bishop can decree that during the time of Lent and Advent, in any parish, daily, or at least on three days in the week, if he shall judge it opportune, preaching be made, and at other times, whenever he shall judge this expedient.

Hence, they commonly teach that pastors are not excused from mortal sin: - 1. who for one continuous month, or for three discontinuous months, have not preached either by themselves or through another;⁴ - 2. who are accustomed to make preaching by no means accommodated to the capacity of the hearers, namely by using a kind of eloquence more profane than sacred, arguments empty of Christian doctrine, and that manner of speaking which plainly exceeds the grasp of most hearers. Speaking of preachers of this sort, St. Alphonsus gravely testifies that they are open enemies of the Church of God, for the reason that by preaching thus they are the cause why many souls perish, who certainly, if they heard apostolic preaching, would be saved.⁵

But if profane eloquence must be removed from the sacred pulpit, rusticity and carelessness must no less be removed; for it is not right to announce the word of God without preparation, in a disorderly and inconsiderate manner. Likewise untimely zeal must be warded off, lest the people be offended by the incautious words of the preacher; lest sins which are not certainly lethal be affirmed as lethal; lest matters which pertain to daily, civil, or political events be mixed with sacred doctrines; lest sacred preaching serve for avenging a private injury; lest speech easily be made concerning stipends which are owed to sacred Ministers, etc.⁶

It is expedient that the Pastor in sacred sermons very often inculcate to the people the frequency of prayer and of the Sacraments; flight from taverns and filthy speech; the enormity of sacrilege; the necessity of sorrow and purpose for Confession; the means of overcoming temptations, especially temptations of impurity; devotion toward the Blessed Virgin Mary, etc.⁷

2270. • II. Pastors are held TO CATECHIZE children and others rude and ignorant in Christian doctrine. - For Trent⁸ admonishes Bishops that "at least on Sundays and other festive days, they take care that children, in individual parishes, be diligently taught the rudiments of faith, and obedience toward God and parents, by those to whom it will pertain; and if there is need, let them compel them even through ecclesiastical censures, privileges and customs notwithstanding."

But in a special manner the Pastor is held, and indeed under grave obligation, to teach the people committed to himself the MYSTERIES OF FAITH which must be known and believed, and which are necessary for salvation, according to what was said n. 427. - Hence, when he notices that parents or masters do not take care that children or servants be present at Christian doctrine, he is held to warn them, or to have recourse to the Bishop, that he may be taught the remedies to be applied opportunely. "It is also expedient that he examine male and female teachers, whether they can rightly teach boys and girls Christian doctrine, and the means conducive to living in the fear of God."⁹ - As regards midwives, see n. 1459, fin.

Note. "When notable dissolutions of morals are found in a region, which no remedy meets, the Pastor is held to take care that a Mission come to it. That pastor who does not take care of a mission casts suspicion upon his morals; for good pastors do not omit to summon a mission every fourth or fifth year." Thus St. Alphonsus.¹⁰