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Home and Happiness!

By

Rev. Wilfred G. Hurley, C.S.P.

*

The Paulist Press

New York 19, N. Y.



Nihil Obstat:

Imprimatur:

John M. A. Fearns, S.T.D.,

Censor Librorum.

© Francis Cardinal Spellman,
Archbishop of New York.

New York, March 11, 1949.

Copyright, 1949
,
by

The Missionary Society of St. Paul the Apostle

in the State of New York.

printed and published in the u. s. a. by

THE PAULIST PRESS, NEW YORK 19
,

N. Y.

Deadcfiffed



Home and Happiness!

"Home.”

Simply see or hear this word, and in

your heart and mind there comes a swelling

flood of memories.

Memories that bless, comfort and con-

sole. Memories that bring joy and peace

and happiness to the heart.

For the really happy memories of your

life, the truly joyful recollections', the sweet-

est thoughts, all go back to that most

cherished spot of earth. That place which

you loved so well, the home of your child-

hood days. That home which you will

cherish always in your soul.

Not in maudlin sentimentality, but

rather in calm recollection. In a sweet re-

membrance of the wholesome joy, the heart

-

filling happiness, and the sinless content-

ment which was in the very air you breathed.

The atmosphere of protection, security, and

understanding love which you recognize

now, for what it really was. And it matters

not whether this home was in some quiet

village or some crowded city block; in a

secluded farmland or in a teeming tenement

district.

Page 3



For it was the home itself that matters.

And what makes a "Home?”

At first it would seem impossible to

answer this question. Because there are so

many different elements which go into the

make-up of a real home. Thus in your own

life. It may have been because of a splendid

father, loyal, true and faithful. Or a

magnificent mother, devoted and sweet. Or

brothers and sisters, who, naturally, were

irritating at times, but yet always bound

close to you in a deep, abiding and affection-

ate love.

Yet in all frankness and honesty, as you

look back you know that there was some-

thing more. Something which made it

"home.” Something that was above all

material things, something above all human

relationships. In that home of yours there

was something divine.

And what was this?

God was there!

For it was a Christian home! A home

based and built on Christian principles.

In that home of yours, all acknowledged

the existence of God, and were happy in

the acknowledgment.

Page 4



All recognized God’s protection of the

home itself, and His love and care over

all who dwelt therein. And hence it was a

home where all lived in peace and happiness.

With no fear of the present. With no dread

of the future.

Thus in that home, God was worshipped

and loved for His infinite goodness and

kindness. And all faced the truth, without

evasion, that to love God meant but one

thing. To keep His Commandments. In

this home, it was the most natural thing

to lift one’s mind and heart to God in

prayer. To kneel in prayer was the only

way to begin the day. The only way to

bring the day to a close. To ask God’s

blessing before meals. To quietly thank Him

when the meal was over.

The Rosary was said daily. Blasphemy or

obscenity were never heard. The name of

Jesus was uttered only in veneration and

in deep affection. Need it be said that

Sunday was a day of rest, worship, and

wholesome joy and happiness.

And so time went on quietly and happily.

Childhood and youth slipping away almost

unnoticed. And yet every day bringing to

you a deepening sense of your innate dignity

and worth. Developing your self-respect.

Page 5



More and more you realized that you had

been created by Almighty God. Clearer

and clearer was the realization that He had

created you "just a little less than the

angels.” Moreover, He had stamped upon

your immortal soul His own image and

likeness. And by His sacraments you had

become a living child of the Living God.

Thus you were placed in this world, only

to make yourself worthy of the priceless

heritage of the eternal Kingdom of God

in the world to come. The great purpose

of your life was to know God, to love God,

and to serve God in time; that you might

be worthy to be with Him in the endless

joy, happiness and love of eternity.

And with this realization of life’s true

meaning, there was a constantly deepening

love and reverence for your parents. For

as they had taught you to love and reverence

God, He in turn, had taught you to love

and reverence them.

And as the years have passed, and as you

have gone along your way through life, the

memory of this home has been to you a

memory beautiful and inspiring. A tre-

mendous source of strength and inward

power. And in those inevitable days of

trial and darkness, it has been to you a

consoling joy and comfort! An unfailing

Page 6



solace in affliction! A light that never
failed!

How true this is, you know only too

well!

Surely you would be the last one to dispute

or deny it?

And you are no exception! As it has been

with you, so it has been with each and

every one who has been so blessed.

Never was this more evident to us than

in the last few years. In those days of

global war, when millions of our young

men went forth as soldiers, sailors and

Marines to all parts of the world in the

service of their country.

Then came the day when the War was

over and peace returned to our warring

nation.

But hundreds of thousands of these young

men had gone forth to their eternal homes.

Out beyond the shining of the farthest star.

They would never return.

Yet as the transports brought back the

others, can these men who were on these

transports, or those who awaited their re-

turn, ever forget those soul-stirring hours?

So much so that later on, in the theatres,

as the news-reels unfolded simply the pic-

Page 7



torial records of these scenes, the vast

audiences were tense with emotion.

The soldier boys crowding the rails of

the ship, the bands playing, the frenzied

shouts of joy as once again they see their

beloved homeland. Tears unashamedly roll-

ing down their cheeks. Hearts choked with

their overwhelming happiness. Minds and

souls breathing forth to God their prayers

of gratitude.

But make no mistake, the real reason for

all their indescribable happiness, the up-

surging waves of joy and gladness, the

feeling of gratitude to God, was a pictured

memory of some quiet, village street; or

some familiar city block; or a loved vista

of some elm-shaded, sturdy farmhouse.

For mark you well, it was their homes

that held their hearts and very beings en-

thralled. The well-loved rooms. The well-

recalled pictures on the walls. The little

knick-knacks and mementos of the passing

years. But more than that of course, the

beloved faces and figures' of their loved ones.

The sound of loved voices. The happy smiles

and tears of love awaiting them. But, re-

member this, that above all else, in their

homes was what they longed for, that for

which their being cried out, that intangible

sense of God’s Presence.

Page 8



That feeling of God’s love and peace,

that joy, happiness and contentment in the

home, which made it "Home.” That

Presence of God which they would find

there. That Presence or atmosphere, call it

what you will, which would envelop them

once again, comfort and uplift them, give

them strength and courage, bring the full-

ness of peace to their tired hearts, minds

and souls.

"Home, sweet home!”

Hence it was that even those battle-

scarred veterans, toughened fighters, men

hard as the steel in their death-dealing

weapons of modern warfare, bowed their

heads in the overwhelming surge of hap-

piness which possessed them.

But is it not the same in times of peace

as well as war? Thus the young man just

starting out in the business world. Trying

to get ahead, but surrounded on all sides

by the ever-present temptations of the day.

Temptations to shady practices. To the

giving up of his standards of decency and

honesty. To the forsaking of truthfulness

and uprightness. Practices which will

eventually bring only disaster and self-

disgust. But nevertheless practices which

look inviting and most attractive at the

time.

Pace 9



Or the young girl of today, thrown into

a world strange but fascinating in its sins.

Where purity, goodness, and decency seem

to be rewarded only by hours of drab lone-

liness. While to this young girl opportunity

after opportunity is constantly offered for

a life of gay excitement in night life, good

times and luxurious living. If she will only

abandon her moral standards. If she will

only forget her conscience. If she will live

only for the day and what it brings.

Today, perhaps as never before, to both

boy and girl, temptation strikes ruthlessly,

mercilessly, constantly.

And certain it is, that next to the grace

of God, the one great protection of a boy

or girl in temptation and trial, in such

times of stress and strain, is the environment

and training of a good Christian home.

A home where their youthful minds have

been permeated with the realization that

they are the living children of the Living

God. That they are God’s own. That

within each one is an immortal soul stamped

to His image and likeness. That it is God

Himself who created this soul, redeemed it,

and sanctified it. And that God has placed

it here in this world to know Him, to love

Him, and to serve Him; that it may be

happy with Him forever in the world to

come.

Page 10



Hence the deep, basic realization of this

relationship of God and the soul is in-

evitably bound up with the memory of

the home, and with the loved ones who

dwelt there in goodness and love.

And it is this memory of home and loved

ones, this training and environment, which

has become a very part of their being, that

gives to the boy and girl the fortitude and

strength to ride rough-shod over the coarse

and crude temptations which face them.

Gives them an invaluable aid in the sur-

mounting of all obstacles in the path of

decency and purity. Gives them an in-

estimable help in the avoiding of any and

every occasion of sin and rottenness.

For wherever they go, in a certain sense,

they take their home with them.

For these boys and girls, wherever they

are, secure in their memories of their home,

have God ever present in their minds, hearts

and souls. For it was in their homes that

they learned to know God, love and serve

Him.

And hence the love of God, and the love

of their homes, have become entwined in

their very beings.

Of course, time in its passing, will

eventually show to both the young man

Page 11



and young woman, that only in the keep-

ing of God’s laws can they find true hap-

piness and real contentment. That the path

of decency and goodness is the only path

which leads to that lasting joy and peace

which they are seeking. For the wages of

sin and evil-doing must be paid to the last

farthing. Paid in suffering and shame. Paid

in heartbreak and sorrow. Paid in regret

and remorse, sharp and bitter.

But until the passing years bring such

wisdom, until youthful impatience and

impetuosity are under control, this is the

time when the heritage of a good home is

of priceless value.

Thus it has always been, and thus it

always will be, as long as temptations assail.

As long as human passions are strong and

the flesh is weak.

Surely all know this truth. It is only

too obvious. And no one knows this any

better than yourself. You have seen it

come true in your own life and in the lives

of others. For you, who have known the

happiness of a good home, treasure it as

one of God’s most precious gifts to you.

But why speak of this God-given heritage

of a good home?

Because you must realize, that like all

mankind, the one thing you seek for in

Page 12



life, is happiness. And in recalling the home

of your childhood, surely you must realize

that the finest and best, and most abiding

happiness you have ever known, you found

in this hallowed place.

And does not such a priceless gift of God

carry with it a great responsibility that it

be preserved? Not only for your own hap-

piness, but also for the happiness of those

whom you love. For whether it be a young

man or a young woman, make no mistake,

in the secret places of the heart, there is

the one desire, the one hope, a happy home

of their own.

Surely if you really love the one who

will share your life with you, and just as

surely if you love the little souls which

you will aid in bringing into this world,

these future children of the Kingdom of

Heaven which Almighty God entrusts to

your care, such a home must be your ideal.

So mould it, fashion it, start making a

real home, now.

For the kind of a home which you wish

yours to be, is not thrown together hap-

hazardly. It takes thought and care.

First of all, such a home must be built

with God, in God and for God!

Hence the first requirement for this

home of yours is that they who dwell there-

Page 13



in should be one in affection and love.

One in ideals and hopes. One in Faith and

religion.

It is true that some so-called "mixed

marriages” turn out rather happily, and

some marriages where one of the parties has

no religion whatsoever also seem happy. But

such are rare exceptions! And even in these

rare exceptions, the Catholic parties to such

marriages are the first to admit that some-

thing vital is missing from their married

life. That much is lacking from the hap-

piness they hoped to find.

But even so, in the vast majority, such

marriages turn out to be unions of un-

happiness and sorrow. With the children

of such homes confused and bewildered,

if not totally indifferent, in regard to God

and His Faith.

And as the years pass, and the inevitable

troubles and sorrows of life close in, this

lack of unity in Faith can only mean to

the Catholic, a feeling and a sense of

loneliness and forlornness which can be

heart-breaking. Praying alone. Worshipping

alone. Alone at Mass. Alone at Holy Com-

munion. The loss of all that comfort and

consolation and strength which come from

two people sharing the joys and sorrows of

life. How far different when a man and

Page 14



woman, two children of God, are bound

together in love, affection and faith. Think-

ing alike, believing alike, and worshipping

alike! With the same purpose in entering

the marriage state! With the same desire

of pleasing God and doing His holy will

in wedlock!

Now the primary purpose of married life,

in God’s holy design, is the procreation and

education of children. To this the other

purposes of the marriage state such as re-

lief of mutual concupiscence, mutual con-

sideration and aid must always remain

secondary.

To have God’s love and blessing in the

married life, then must God’s Will be done.

And it is God’s Will that in performing the

marriage act nothing be done deliberately

to frustrate its natural power and purpose.

Such a sin is against nature. Against God’s

law. A sin shameful and vicious.

If marriage can not be entered into with-

out such an accord for the fulfilling of

God’s Will, then better there should be no

marriage. For otherwise the outcome can

be only in sorrow and regret.

A wife or a husband who consents to
this unnatural form of living, at that very

moment forfeits the love and respect of

the other. They may tell each other differ-

Page 15



ently, but down in their hearts they know

that true, real love is gone. And let some

crisis arise and it will become only too

apparent. They will realize it only too

well.

When a husband and wife accept the

privileges of married life, then they must

accept the responsibilities. It is the in-

dispensable basis of a happy family life.

For a happy home, the husband and wife in

their marital relations must always be clean,

decent and pure.

To those who do otherwise God has said,

in stern warning: "Darkness may cover and

walls may conceal. But I am the Witness

and I am the Judge.” Thus saith the Lord

God.

Education

Thus comes the second primary purpose

of the marriage state. For after bringing

a child into the world, there comes the

obligation of the right education for that

child. A parent can give life, but as parent

can give no more, for the deed stops there.

But when parents educate a child they are

affecting eternity. They are projecting

themselves down through the ages. They

can never tell where their influence is going

to stop. They can be capable of almost

an endless influence, for good or evil,

through their children.

Page 16



And education may make of a child either

an atheist or a religious leader. An honest

man or a criminal. A joy and happiness

to mankind or a scourge to humanity. Al-

most, it seems, in spite of itself.

And while the school can have wonder-

ful and splendid effects, yet such effects

must be supported by the all-powerful and

permanent influence of the good Christian

home.

Hence parents must ever have a keen

realization that a child is begotten not for

earth and for time, but for Heaven and

eternity. That, on the one hand, the Chris-

tian teaching of the child by Church and

school can be immeasurably confirmed,

deepened and vitalized by the training in

the home.

While, on the other hand, no matter how

Christian decency and morality may be

inculcated by the school and church; the

more intimate teaching in the home can

neutralize it and scatter it to the four winds.

Thus in a good home, always before the

mind of the child there must be kept,

and constantly inculcated, a love of the

good, the clean, the finest things of life.

A reverence for the beautiful, the refined
and the cultured. Those qualities which

can only be found in Christian religious

teachings.

Page 17



Surely the influence of the father and

mother can not be exaggerated. As good

food, pure air, wholesome exercise, clean-

liness of mind and body build up a splendid

constitution, so good example in daily life

with good parents, the surroundings of an

upright and happy home, build the child

into the ideal young man or woman.

In the home, as nowhere else, is the old

adage true, "As the twig is bent, so does

the tree grow.”

Thus too, Holy Writ tells us! "With the

holy, thou wilt be holy; and with the

innocent, thou wilt be innocent; and with

the elect, thou wilt be elect; and with the

perverse, thou wilt be perverted.”

Hence in regard to the school, it must

be, if parents love their children, an aid to

the influence of the home. A school which

will add to, and confirm the teachings of

the home. It is for no foolish whim that

the Church is so insistent for the right

education. An education which, like the

training in the home, has God always in

mind. That is why the Church sacrifices

time, money, and labor . . . without stint

. . . for the furthering of such teaching.

That is why the noblest of men and

women leave the world and live lives of

the greatest self-sacrifice. Poorly paid.

Page 18



Poorly clothed. Poorly thanked. That is

why Christ promised a special reward to

those whose life labor is the teaching of

these little ones.

For in the Christian education in the

school, as in the upbringing of the home,

it is essential that not only the mind be

trained, but above all else the will. The

keenest intellect without a trained will is

one of the most futile mockeries in life.

Have you not seen such young men and

women? Who know what is good. Who can

enumerate the reasons why they should do

what is good and refrain from evil. And

not only enumerate but demonstrate clearly

and convincingly why they should do one

thing and not another. And what does it

profit them—if they have not the will to
do that which they know is right, and not

to do that which they know is evil.

What does it profit them, if they are of

the type of which the hard, brittle cynicism

of the world mockingly says that "They can

resist anything—except temptation.”
Today as never before, a happy and God-

loving home must work hand in hand with

an education which also has the love of

God as its basis.

So too, with higher education!

Page 19



For the happiness of the home, always

must it be borne in mind that, in the years

to come, in its higher education the child

of this home will have an education which

will continue to train this child to a knowl-

edge of the real truth. That truth which

recognizes and acknowledges God as the

Creator and Ruler of the universe.

And furthermore an education which will

not stop here, but continue to train the will

to the doing of good. To practice virtue.

Virtue means right living. And make no

mistake, right living can be founded only

upon religious principles.

Such education, and it alone, will turn

out your sons and daughters as the children

you want them to be. And in the final

analysis it is this alone, which will make

for that joy and peace and contentment

in the home.

And if you really love your home, if

you really love those who will dwell therein,

then such an education becomes not only

an ideal, but a necessity. That you keep

them close to the God Whose own they

are.

For what does the most brilliant of

educations amount to, if it causes the one

Page 20



educated to lose the priceless heritage of

his Faith?

You know only too well such young men

and women. Wandering here and there. In-

different. Dissatisfied. Ironical. Cheaply

cynical. In their hearts despising their

parents, and oftentimes making no effort

to conceal their contempt. Weak! Cowardly!

Shallow! Cheap, egotistical nobodies!

Education accompanied by skepticism, in-

difference, and cynical atheism is the great-

est possible evil a parent could possibly

inflict on a child.

How can parents who love their children

insist, even after unquestionable authority

warns them of the inevitable danger, on

placing their children in such universities,

under such instruction? Surely they know

that to have their children listening to

teachers whose subversive attitude towards

the fundamentals of free will, immorality

and loose living is well known, is bound

to result in sorrow and regret. What worldly

advantage is worth subjecting these loved

children to such an environment of

skepticism, cynicism, and atheistic teach-

ings of immorality?

How can the blessings of God, and the

happiness of God abide in such a home or

family, where God and His love and teach-

Page 21



ings are set aside for such imaginary material

advantages?

In a home where God dwells in His

happiness and joy, there must be always

that firm resolve, that no sacrifice be too

great, no consideration be too much, that

Faith in God and loyalty to His truths

be preserved.

And have no fear! Almighty God will

not permit you to outdo Him in generosity

and love. Whatever sacrifices are made in

adhering to God’s will, in keeping the home

and those that dwell there strong and firm

in His Faith and Love, God will reward you,

and them, a hundredfold. It is His own

promise!

Religion

To make a happy, God-loving home is

not an easy task. And no one knows it any

more than God Himself. Hence in the

sacrament of matrimony God has elevated

and consecrated this union of husband and

wife and parenthood.

Privileges untold, but the responsibility is

also tremendous. To bring children into

the world. Future inhabitants of the eternal

Kingdom of God for the endless ages. What

greater privilege! To nourish, guide, educate,

and prepare them for this priceless heritage.

Page 22



The dignity and reward must be tremendous

when you are faithful. And so too, must

be the punishment when there is: a be-

trayal of this honor and trust.

Hence the necessity that a keen sense

of religion vivify and actuate both father

and mother in their lives. That they prac-

tice what they preach. No one can sense

hypocrisy quicker than a child. Especially

one’s own child.

Thus the grace of God to help them

always.

Thus the sacraments of the Church to

aid, strengthen, support them.

Thus the examples of the Saints to guide

and inspire them.

Thus the Church places to the right and

left of its altars the statues of the great

St. Joseph and the Blessed Mother. That

at least once a week at Sunday Mass you

may look upon them. The ideals for the

ideal father and mother. To especially in-

spire, encourage, and help you in making

and keeping your home an ideal home. A
home of real joy and true peace, a home

of happiness.

What a wonderful Father and Spouse was

St. Joseph! Quietly doing the will of God

without fuss, without anxiety. Laboring

Page 23



throughout the day cheerfully and patiently.

Whatever God desired, it was to be done

without murmuring, without complaint.

The angel appeared to him in his sleep

telling him to arise and to take the Child

Jesus down into Egypt. Scripture records

that he arose immediately, and set out. Set

out on a trip of hundreds of miles. A trip

that in those days meant incredible hard-

ship in every mile.

Every day in his life could record similar

acts of faith and devotion to God’s honor.

A devotion not of words alone but of deeds.

Such was this model for fathers. What

father could look upon him, and think of

him, and not be a little more patient? A

little more considerate of his family? A

little more zealous in his desire to do God’s

will?

For the happiness of the home may I

offer a few practical suggestions to the

Father and Mother?

A father must never forget—even for a
moment—that no matter how insignificant
he may appear in the eyes of the world, in

the eyes of his little boy or girl he is the

most wonderful man on earth. A child

almost adores his father, if he will let it.

If he will only treat the child with a little

kindness, consideration and love. The sad-

Page 24



dest sight on earth is to see a family where

the children desire and long for the love

of their father but a fear of him has chilled

their hearts.

How can a father quarrel in front of a

child, or with the child? The father may

forget all about the matter in less than an

hour; but oftentimes the sensitive mind of

a child has received an impression that time

may never fully efface. For years the

memory of biting words and the sight

of an angry face may be clearly remembered.

Rule by love! Teach by love! Guide by

love! This' is the better way, and it will

attain the best results. But with this one

exception. Sacrifice not one iota to sin, or

to the occasion of sin. The spirit of today

in which license passes for independence,

where boldness parades as confidence, where

distraction is mistaken for pleasure . . .

must be curbed . . . rooted out.

Business troubles have no place in the

home. When things go wrong let the family

be the last to feel its effects, not the first.

Be such a father that the memory of you,

years after you have gone to receive your

reward, will bring tears to the eyes of those

whom you loved here on earth.

Page 25



Be such a father that the memory of you,

to those whom you brought into the world,

will be one of the sweetest memories that

life holds for them.

An ideal of the highest attainment. An

ideal blessed by God. An ideal which will

require constant self-denial, self-control,

limitless patience and love.

In regard to the Mother, she should

always remember that she is the heart of

the family. She it is who holds the family

and the home together. She is the all-

important factor in developing the ideal

of a Catholic happy home life. Hence per-

sonal piety must be her first accomplish-

ment.

Of course, the ideal of all mothers is

found in all fullness in the Holy Mother of

God. Hence the statue of her—that they
may look upon her, remember her, imitate

her. For to imitate Mary, is to draw closer

to God.

“Thou shalt conceive,” said the Angel

of God, and the Maid of God bowed her

head in ready assent. “Behold the handmaid

of the Lord. Be it done unto me according

to Thy word,” she replied. We have some

inkling in the Gospel narrative of the

suspicion which was attached to her im-

maculate person . .
.
yet how patiently and

Page 26



meekly she bore it. We have some inkling

of her hardships in the birth of her infant

in a cold, cheerless, comfortless stable in

the wintry hills of Bethlehem. We have

some inkling of her life of agony among

those cold, heartless people who could not,

or would not, appreciate the exquisite

divinity of her beloved Son. We get glimpses

here and there. But they are only glimpses.

But even so, they reveal a world of suffering,

of loneliness, of apprehensive fear for her

divine child.

When she presented Jesus, a mere child,

in the temple, she heard those words of

prophecy of Holy Simeon: "And thy own

heart a sword shall pierce.” No prophecy

was ever truer! Her heart was pierced, not

once but a thousand times. Until at last,

in the shadow of the Cross, she beheld the

consummation.

Thus with the wife and mother of to-

day. If it be God’s will that she bring forth

a child, she should do it gladly for His sake.

When the child is' born, she must guard

and protect it, surround it with all the

love and care that she possibly can. She

must assiduously watch for the first dawn

of conscience in her child. She knows, or

ought to know, that first impressions are the

most effective and most lasting. What a

delight it should be to take her little child

Page 27



on her knee and teach it to pray! What

pride should be hers when her little one

raises its mind and heart to God in the

"Our Father.”

With the knowledge that her child is

also a child of God! An heir of heaven!

With a dignity above all other creation.

"Just a little less than the angels,” says

God Himself. She must sacrifice pleasure,

her own comforts, everything, that she

may make the child better and more pleas-

ing to God. Not forgetting—ever—to pray
for her child unceasingly.

The Home

In consideration of the home itself, may

I offer one or two more suggestions? Sug-

gestions based on the sound psychological

principle that—whether we like it or not

—

we are constantly being influenced by the

environment in which we live.

There should be prominent signs about

the house that it is' the abode of a family

that loves God. There is a feeling among

some people, who are swayed by a cheap

worldliness or a shallow pseudo-culture, that

a religious picture today has no place in

the home. But in a home of refined and

educated people, just the opposite is the

rule. Any artist will tell you that the

Page 28



Madonna and the Child are the very center

of real art and culture. Repeatedly artists

inform us that the best pictures of the best

artists are invariably devotional. DaVinci,

Michaelangelo, Rembrandt, Fra Lippi, Fra

Angelico, Raphael, and so the list goes.

Thus in a real Catholic home, good and

truly artistic religious pictures give a

definite tone to the house. They impress

the faith on the minds of the members of

the family. Expressing real culture and the

true refinement of the family to visitors.

More important, even, than Catholic art,

is Catholic literature. These are the days

when everybody reads . . . something. It

is notorious that Catholics do not buy books

as they should. Even our Holy Father

has warned us that unless we support a good

Catholic press' it will be useless for us to

build schools and churches.

Now the Catholic Church is not wanting

either in excellent writers or excellent pub-

lishers. Our book stores are rich in de-

votional, scientific and recreative literature.

The crying shame is that so little of this

finds its way into our homes.

Not only should there be this religious

literature but a weekly Catholic paper. A

monthly Catholic magazine should be on

the reading table. Today, as down through

Page 29



the ages, the Catholic Church is marching

on, spreading the Kingdom of God over

the earth. These papers should help, and

impress upon Catholics their Catholicity.

To my mind the greatest loss and mis-

fortune that has come to America in the

last generation has been the dying out,

among non-Catholics as well as Catholics,

of the custom of family prayer. For the

home and family which practiced this cus-

tom, of having all kneel together in com-

mon prayer, had surrounded itself with a

bulwark against which the storms of temp-

tation, vice and sin could beat only in

vain.

And may I also urge that beautiful old

custom of a crucifix over every bed. Of a

holy water font at every bedroom door. Of

a prayer book for every member of the

family. That wherever they go, they carry

with them their rosaries.

And may I add this truth. That such

labors are not without their reward even

in this world. For in a world which is

vainly seeking for real joy and true happi-

ness, it is the inexorable law of Divine Love

that into these homes where God is honored

and loved and worshipped, God in turn will

pour forth in abundance and superabun-

Page 30



dance His infinite joy and peace and

happiness.

Such a home and happiness is surely the

greatest gift, the most priceless heritage

that parents: can bequeath to those they

love.

And as time passes, when on that day

of days to come, when life’s labors are over,

when coming through the infinite lengths

and breadths of space they stand before the

judgment throne of the Almighty, Eternal

God—

It will be the one consolation, the one

satisfaction, the one contentment to such

parents that their children, and their chil-

dren’s children, shall rise up to call them

blessed.

Page 31



*• — 4*
Christ is the Head of this house

!

=

The Unseen Guest at every meal! =

The Silent Listener to every con- !

versa tion! 1

Page 32





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