A MANUAL OF HOMILETICS AND CATECHETICS (THE PRIEST IN THE PULPIT) Adapted from the German of REV. IGNAZ SCHUECH, 0.S.B. BY REV. BONIFACE LUEBBERMANN Professor at Mount St. Mary's Seminary, Cincinnati New, Revised Edition New York, Cincinnati, Cutcaco BENZIGER BROTHERS PRINTERS TO THE PUBLISHERS OF OLY APOSTOLIC sux | BENZIGER’S MAGAZINE eANDOVER-HARVARD THEOLOGICAT. LIBRARY Cumin tile, ASS, Yor, 10,1) 2 H 49,2 ¢2- Xmprimatur, % WILLIAM HENRY ELDER, Archbp, Cincinnatt, CINCINNATI, DECEMBER 26, 1893, Corvaicr, 1854, av Bexzicen Baorwans,EDITOR’S NOTE. Rev. Icnatius Scuvecn, O.S.B., the author of the original work, the first part of which is here rendered into English, was born at Kornitz, in Moravia, May 1, 1823. At the age of twenty he joined the Benedictine Abbey at Kremsminster, Austria. After his ordination to the priesthood June 19, 1848, he was made assistant pastor successively in two large parishes, and in that position proved himself “an eloquent orator, a parental friend of children, and a zealous and devoted con- fessor.” Six years later he was called to the chair of Pastoral Theology in the Seminary of St. Florian, which he filled most successfully for thirty-four years. As early as the year 1865 he issued a limited edition of his Pastoral Theology for the use of his pupils, and upon urgent appeals from bishops and priests reissued it ina more comprehensive form for the benefit of semi- narians and priests in general. He had the pleasure of seeing it reach nine editions, and since his happy and holy death on January 9, 1893, three further editions have appeared to date. Of the many encomiums showered upon the work after each edition, let it suffice to quote one of recent date, that of the Acta Pontificia, Vol. I, Fasc. I. This monthly brochure, published at Rome, devotes part of its space in each issue to some question of Pastoral vvi Editor's Note. Theology and bases its discussions and decisions on Schuech’s Pastoral Theology, saying in explanation: “The work of Father Schuech is perfect in every re- spect and superior to any other of its kind. There is none better suited to our times, none that shows maturer judgment or furnishes more reliable informa- tion.” Pastoral Theology in its entirety embraces the whole activity of the priest in his teaching office, in his public prayer and sacrifice and the administration of the sac- raments and sacramentals, as well as his work among the people, guiding and guarding them individually and collectively. Though intimately connected with all the sacred sciences, Pastoral Theology encroaches upon none, but is rather the matured fruit of all. Whilst pre- senting the highest ideals and ultimate reasons for its directions, and therefore justly claiming the rank of a science, it aims to apply all theological knowledge to the practical needs of souls, and hence is properly classed with the arts, or rather is, in truth, “ the art of all arts.” The first work of the pastor is that of teaching, and this forms the subject-matter of the present volume. The pastor is obliged to instruct and train the child in religion from the earliest dawn of reason, and he is guided in this work by the treatise on Catechetics. He is bound to continue and amplify this instruction for those advanced in spiritual knowledge,and is furnished the requisite help and direction by that part of Pastoral Theology called Homiletics.Editor's Note. vii The author treats, though concisely, yet exhaustive- ly, in this part of Homiletics of the matter for preach- ing and its development, arrangement, style and de- livery. He then dwells on’ the division of sermons, according to their subject-matter, into dogmatic, moral, historical and liturgical sermons; and according to their form, into homilies, sermons on ordinary and those on extraordinary occasions, concluding with ap- ‘posite suggestions for remote and proximate prepar- ation. The supreme necessity and dignity of catechetical instruction has been luminously set forth in the recent encyclical of our Holy Father on that subject. “ For a priest,” he says, “ there is no duty more grave, no obli- gation more binding, than this one. The office of the catechist is not much sought after, because, as a rule, it is deemed of little account, as it does not lend itself to the winning of applause. But this, in our opinion, is an estimate born of vanity and not of truth. We are quite willing to admit the merits of those pulpit orators, who, out of genuine zeal for the glory of God, devote them- selves either to the defense and maintaining of the faith or to eulogizing the heroes of Christianity. But their labor presupposes labor of another kind,—that of the catechist. Where the latter is wanting, the founda- tions are wanting, and they labor in vain who build the house. The teaching of the Catechism never fails to be of profit to those who listen to it. If faith languishes in our days, if it has almost disappeared among large numbers, the reason is that the duty of catecheticalviii Editor's Note. teaching is either fulfilled very superficially or alto- gether neglected. Benedict XIV. has described the teaching of the Catechism as ‘ the most effective means for spreading the glory of God and securing the salva- tion of souls.’” As if in anticipation of this appeal, or rather moved by the one spirit that actuates the Church of Christ, priests and teachers have in late years taken up this work with new energy, and in a number of excellent publications given others the benefit of their application and experience. The indefatigable Archbishop Mess- mer, of Milwaukee, has edited the valuable work of Spirago’s Method of Explaining the Catechism, whilst Father Clarke, S. J., has translated The Catechism Ex- plained, by the same author. Of a similar character and of equal value is Howe’s The Catechist. The Cate- chism in the Infant School, by Rev. L. Noble, O. S. B., treats of one of the most difficult parts of catechetical instruction. A very carefully elaborated scheme for catechetical instruction in parochial schools is pre- sented in The Christian Doctrine Teacher's Manual. Notwithstanding these and other similar works, the Catechetics of Father Schuech does not appear to have lost its usefulness. It points out and thoroughly an- alyzes the pedagogical principles and methods of in- struction, and dwells at length on the peculiarities of the child-mind and child-language. It devotes itself not only to the mental instruction of the child, but with quite as much care and attention to his spiritual and moral training. Thus the author, after treating in fiveEditor's Note. ix exhaustive chapters of the matter and manner of in- struction, teaches how to influence the heart and will of the child, how to train him to practise the moral re- ligious life, and how to lead him from the lower to the higher grades of prayer and attendance at divine serv- ice and to a fruitful reception of the holy sacraments. The language, from the very nature of the subject, is in some parts more technical than usual. But our seminarians and priests, schooled in logic and in schol- astic terminology, will not find this a serious objection. The editor has made only such changes in the text as are required by local laws and conditions. The long introductory chapter on The Person of the Pastor has been retained, partly because of its intrinsic value and partly because the personality of the priest enters so largely into his works of teaching. Most wise and helpful exhortations on this subject are given by the Church in administering the various Minor and Major Orders. An appendix On the Instruction of Converts has been added to the part on Catechetics. May God, who has so abundantly blessed the original work of the author, deign to bless likewise the humble labor of Tue Epitor.CONTENTS. Epiror’s Nom, = - + - = 2 2 «© «© Antroductory Chapter. ON THE PERSON OF THE PASTOR. Art. 1—Definition, Sources, and Literature of Pastoral Theology. Branchesof Theology, - - - - - = . Sources and Auxiliaries of Pastoral Theology, - - |. Definition of Pastoral Theology. Relation to Other 3. Sketch of the History and Literature of Pastoral Theol- ogy, soe eee Art. I1.—The Natural Qualifications of the Pastor. 4. Qualifications of the Pastor inGeneral, - - - 5. Vocation to the Priesthood, - == 6. Interior Marks of Vocation, - - - - = = 7. Knowledge, es &Piety, - - - = - = = es = gZeal,- - - - = = 2 we ew e to. Prudence, =) 4+ = l= )=s) 3 - joys 11, Exterior Marksof Vocation, - - - - - 12, Necessity of Education for the Pastoral Office, and of continued Study after Ordination, - - - - 13. Purpose of this continued Study after Ordination, 14. Means of Intellectual Training, - - - - ~ 15. Means of Ascetical Training, - - - - - 16. Means of Pastoral Training. Pastoral Conferences, 1B 23 25 27 28 3 33 35 43 45 45 st