THE REAL CATHOLIC.

New Zealand Tablet, 22 August 1918, Page 45

THE REAL CATHOLIC.

There is one kind of real Catholic, and only one. If a man, he is the Catholic who says his prayers; approaches the Sacraments of Penance and Holy Eucharist at least once a month; contributes according to his means to the support of the Church ; is an active and interested member of a confraternity, not merely paying his dues, but faithfully attending the meetings and always receiving monthly Communion with his fellow-members; assists at every opportunity in extending the influence and enhancing the honor of his parish ; knows his pastor and is known by him as a man who can be called upon at any time for co-opera-tion and support; ‘is proud of his faith and will not silently brook the slightest insult to it ; is loyal' to the lope, the hierarchy, and the priests; looks upon the poor as the particular and chosen friends of Christ who must not be permitted to suffer want while he enjoys a surplus of the good things of life; takes a personal interest in all that pertains to the propagation of Catholic teaching and the protection of Catholic morals; never forgets that Jesus Christ, is present in every Catholic church, and a visit of a few moments to Him now and then is a great privilege and blessing; tries to keep the Commandments, and remembers that he must live as a Catholic if he wishes to die as a Catholic, and receive the eternal reward promised for faithful service.

If a woman, she is all that and a little more than the Catholic man should be; a member of the Blessed Virgin Sodality or League of the Sacred Heart; an ever-ready helper in any parish activity which calls for her aid ; the queen of her own home by her gentleness and patience; the jealous provider for the welfare of her children, especially concerned about their spiritual security, sending them to a Catholic school, academy, or college; giving them an example which they can follow and which will lead them to a youth and maturity solidly Catholic ; a woman who is all that God nobly planned her to be.