Skip to main content

Form, Matter and Intention - Part 2

Image
By
+
JMJ

 Given that Pope Francis is not letting up and the direction some are taking in response to this, I thought it would be a good idea to do a deeper dive into the 'Intention' part of the validity of the Sacraments.

First the Dogma:
CANON XI.-If any one saith, that, in ministers, when they effect, and confer the sacraments, there is not required the intention at least of doing what the Church does; let him be anathema. (Council of Trent: 7)
and the following have bearing as well:
CANON XII.-If any one saith, that a minister, being in mortal sin,-if so be that he observe all the essentials which belong to the effecting, or conferring of, the sacrament,-neither effects, nor confers the sacrament; let him be anathema.  (Council of Trent: 7)
The Sacraments of the New Covenant contain the grace which they signify, and bestow it on those who do not hinder it. (De fide.)
The Sacraments work ex opere operato. (De fide.)
Note these are Dogmas of the Catholic Church to deny this is ... well true heresy.

How, my question is what were the reasons that the Catholic Church decided it was time to clarify this aspect.  

For more insight I'll turn to 'Fundamentals of Catholic Dogma by Dr. Ludwig Ott':
While the Reformers recognised only a subjective psychological efficacy in the Sacraments (regarding them as they excite and confirm fiducial faith in the recipient), the Catholic Church teaches that the Sacraments have an objective efficacy, that is, an efficacy independent of the subjective disposition of the recipient or of the minister.
So the 'reformers' ie. Luther et al, believed that the Sacraments cause interiour feelings of faith in the congregation. Hence the reason why they believe that Our Lord is present because of the faith of the people and not the power of the priesthood.

This sounds very similar to the vital immanence of the modernists.

It also reminds me of the pre elevation genuflection of Catholic priests in the Tridentine Mass.

To sum up:

The priest (validly ordained) needs to have, at a minimum, the intention of doing what the Church does for the valid confection of the Sacraments.

Any other intentions he may have pre and post the performance of the rite with proper matter has no bearing on the subject. 

So as hard as it may be to accept, if a validly ordained priest consecrates the host, even if his intention post-consecration is to provide the host for evil intentions such as a Black Mass or to provide the host for communion of divorcee's, protestants etc (re: Pope Francis and Amoris Laetitiae).


P^3
 
Tradicat: Form, Matter and Intention - Part 1
Tradicat: Our Duty - Sins of Omission (with reference to Intention)
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Curious Case of Steve Skojec and the Dangers of Deep Diving into the Crisis Sub-Titled: The Failings of Others

By
 + JMJ It's been a while now since Steve Skojec sold 1P5 and abandoned the Catholic Faith. I've been a 'Trad' since 1982 and in those 40+ years I seen this death-spiral before with a similar end point. It seems that anyone who jumps into the fray unprepared for the enormous task of righting wrongs will, eventually, become discouraged by not the task but the people who surround them.   I remember when Skojec complained of the treatment his family received from a traditional priest.  This seems to have been the start of the end for him. So what can we learn from the likes of Steve Skojec, Michael Voris (maybe?), Louie Verrecchio, Gerry Matatix and other celebrity Catholics? Probably quite a lot about what not to do. First, don't burn out on the crisis?  When you burn out, on work or anything else, little things assume a more greater importance than they are due.   This is one of my 'canary in the coal mine' signals that I've been stretching myself too th...
Post a Comment
Read more

What the heck is a congregation of "Pontifical Right"

By
+ JMJ In a discussion with a friend the question occurred to me that I didn't actually know was is involved in being a religious order of 'pontifical right'. I had a vague notion that this meant they reported to Rome as opposed to the local diocese. I'm also aware that, according to the accounts I have heard, the Archbishop received 'praise' and the written direction to incardinate priests directly into the SSPX.  This is interesting because it implies that the SSPX priests were no longer required to incardinate in the local diocese but in the SSPX. This is something that belongs to an order of 'pontifical right'. Anyway here's some definitions: Di diritto pontificio is the Italian term for “of pontifical right” . It is given to the ecclesiastical institutions (the religious and secular institutes, societies of apostolic life) either created by the Holy See or approved by it with the formal decree, known by its Latin name, Decretu...
Post a Comment
Read more

Morning and Evening and other sundry Prayers

By
+ JMJ Along the theme of P^3 (Prayer, Penance, Patience), and for my own reference ... here is a collection of Morning and Evening prayers from the Ideal Daily Missal along with some additional prayers. In this crisis of the Church, I do not think it is possible to do too much prayer, penance and have patience. P^3
Post a Comment
Read more

Communique about Avrille Dominicans - SSPX.org

By
+ JMJ Having completed the review of the 'Avrille' perspective, this communique from the French District Superior is perfectly timed. I believe that the 'resistance' has lost rationality and further argumentation simply results in their holding on to their false ideal all the more firmly. Pray much ... First, for them to acquiesce to the grace of humility in order to obtain a clear perspective on the principles involved. Second, that we may remain faithful to the Church, and Her Dogmas, Doctrines and Principles. Lest we become that which against we strove ... P^3 Courtesy of SSPX.org
Post a Comment
Read more

Magisterium and Levels of Assent

By
+ JMJ Understanding the levels of assent to be given to the teachings of the Church is a critical success factor in walking the knife's edge during this crisis of the Church.  The levels of assent are generally associated with the theological grades of certainty, which are not surprisingly mirrored by the censures for contravening the teachings of the various levels.
Post a Comment
Read more