GUILD PAMPHLETS 

Method C. Billy, O. F. M. Conv.: Life In the Servics 
Dean Corcoran, O. F. M. Cap.: They Burned a Forest 

The Story of Blessed John Forest 
Maire Cotter: A Mother and Mystic at Home 

Most Rev. Richard J . Cushing: The Third Order In 
Our Bay 

William J . Doheny, C. S. C.: Give Us This Bay Our 
Baily Bread 

Very Rev. John J . Dougherty: The Complete Catholic 
Victor Elmer, O. F. M.: St. Bernardine of Siena 

Felician Foy, O. F. M.: Christ and You, Redeemers 
Rev. Richard Ginder: 

The Christian Nobility Life Begins at Baptism 
Peace of Mind and Heart 

Francis J . Greiner, S. M.: Mary's Work In the World 
Most Rev. William Griffln: Veni, Sponsa Chrlstl 

Marion A. Habig, O. F. M.: 
Man of Peace St. Francis Solano Vlco Necchi 

Our Lady of the Highway 
Walter Hammon, O. F. M.: The Power of Love 

Rudolf Harvey, O. F. M.: 
A New Birth of Freedom The Pursuit of Happiness 

This Nation under God What Is Man? 
Augustine P. Hennessy, C. P. : God's Troubadour 

and His Lady 
Jeffrey Keefe, O. F. M. Conv.: 

The Gospel Truth Miracles: Facts or Fantasies? 
Gordon Krahe, O. F. M.: What the Mass Is for You 

Giles Lawlor, O. F. M.: Bon't Be Afraid To Go 
to Confession 

James M. Linehan, O. F. M.: A Living Crucifix 
Valentine Long, O. F. M.: 

Christmas The Bternal Cross 
A Judge Speaks to the Graduates 

The Last Supper Every Bay 
The Nobody Everybody Loves 

On Thanking the Hand That Feeds 
On Using the Brain The Troubled Mind 

The Way Home Who Believes in Sin Any More? 
Why Not Take God's Word for It? 

Youth — Springtime of Love 
Cuthbert Malone, O. F. M.: St. FaschaV Baylon 







YOU ARE 
THE CHURCH 

GERALD M . D O L A N , O . F . M . 

St. Anthony's Guild 
Paterson, N . J . 



Copyright © 1961 by St. Anthony's Guild 

Imprimi potest: Donald Hoag, O.F.M. 
Minister Provincial 

Nihil obstat: Bede Babo, O.S.B. 
Censor Librorum 

Imprimatur: -f- James A. McNuIty 
Bishop of Paterson 

January 10, 1962 

Printed in the United States of America 



" . . . The faithful, more precisely 
the laity, are in the front line of the Church's 
life; through them the Church is the vital' 
principle of human society." 

— POPE PIUS XII 

"The Church of today, of the pres-
ent, is the Kingdom of Christ, and the King-
dom of heaven." 

— ST. AUGUSTINE 



" T h e Church 

was Christ's theme throughout His public 
life. He outlined its characteristics in para-
bles. It was coming, yet it had already begun 
to exist. Though of heaven, it would be of 
earth. It would enclose within it, as a net 
encloses fish, all manner of men, good and 
bad, who would dwell together, to be sepa-
rated only at the end of time. It would be 
a pearl of great price, for which the one 
beholding it would sacrifice all he possessed. 
Entrance to it would require nothing less 
than a new birth. Beginning as a tiny seed, 
it would grow into a great sheltering tree. 
It would be visible to all, yet its action would 
be as silent as that of yeast leavening dough " 







Y O U ARE 

THE CHURCH 

WHEREVER O N E 
may go in the world, the Catholic Church is 
there. Into whatever field of human activity 
one may enter, the influence of the Church 
is felt. Throughout the world, cathedrals 
and churches, some the artistic monuments 
of antiquity, others revealing the most mod-
ern tendencies of architectural geniiis, bear 
witness to its continuity and perennial youth. 
It is ancient and picturesque in its solemn 

9 



rites, yet at home with the most recent ad-
ministrative techniques. It is in the world, 
visible for all to see, yet shrouded in other-
world mystery. It is loved; it is feared; it 
is hated; it is persecuted. But with imper-
turbable purpose, despite every obstacle, it 
goes about its business in the calm assurance 
that, as it has outlived its enemies in the past, 
so it will continue to do till time is no more. 

Chr is t 's W o r k 

T o understand its mission, one must ask 
what was the mission of Christ. St. John 
writes in the Prologue of his Gospel: "He 
came unto His own, and His own received 
Him not. But to as many as received Him 
He gave the power of becoming sons of 
God." The Second Person of the Blessed 
Trinity became man to restore what man 
had lost. God had created Adam to be the 
father of the human race, endowed him 
with a mind and a will, made him capable 
of rendering homage and thanks to his Crea-
tor on behalf of all creation. Adam's body 
was made in the likeness of material things; 
but his soul, having received sanctifying 

10 



grace, a spark of the divine life, was made 
in the image and likeness of God Himself. 
Through this gift he would be, not only a 
creature destined for this world, but a son 
of God with the birthright to an eternity 
in heaven. 

But the gift of grace, for Adam and his 
progeny, was conditional upon obedience. 
When Adam disobeyed, as St. Paul tells 
us, "through one man sin entered into the 
world and through sin death, and thus death 
has passed unto all men because all have 
sinned." Yet the Creator, in His mercy, 
would not leave man without a second 
chance. He promised a Redeemer: One who, 
atoning for the sins of men, would reinstate 
them as children of God and heirs of heaven. 

The Coming of t h e K ingdom 

Christ died for all men; being God, He 
could have transmitted the blessings of His 
redemption directly to all. But He chose 
that His creatures should collaborate with 
Him. He would establish a Church wherein 
men, united with Him, would distribute to 
others the benefits of His sacrificial death. 

11 



This Church was Christ's theme throughout 
His public life. He described the role it 
would play among men under the name of 
"the Kingdom of heaven." He outlined its 
characteristics in parables. It was coming, 
yet it had already begun to exist. Though 
of heaven, it would be of earth. It would 
enclose within it, as a net encloses fish, all 
manner of men, good and bad, who would 
dwell together, to be separated only at the 
end of time. It would be a pearl of great 
price, for which the one beholding it would 
sacrifice all he possessed. Entrance to it 
would require nothing less than a new birth. 
Beginning as a tiny seed, it would grow into 
a great sheltering tree. It would be visible 
to all, yet its action would be as silent as 
that of yeast leavening dough. 

He proclaimed the coming of this King-
dom to everyone, but to a chosen few He 
explained its mysteries. Twelve men would 
be His vicegerents, the rulers and directors 
of the Kingdom. To them would be given 
power from heaven to teach all men, to 
legislate the laws of the Kingdom, arid, 
through the sacraments, to apply the merits 
of Christ's redemptive death to souls. One 
of these twelve, Peter, would be their leader 

12 



and chief. To him were promised "the keys 
of the Kingdom" — the power to admit en-
trance or refuse it. Peter's power would be 
ratified in heaven. He would be the special 
object of the prayer of Christ that his faith, 
once strengthened, might confirm the faith of 
the others. Finally, Peter was given the 
office of shepherd of all Christ's flock — the 
power and authority to teach, rule, and 
sanctify all men. In him would the unity 
of the Kingdom center; upon him, as upon 
a cornerstone, would the Kingdom find its 
firm support. 

The role of the Church had been de-
scribed, its ruling authority instituted; now 
its charter would be declared. Just before 
His Ascension, Christ said to His Apostles: 
"All power in heaven and on earth has been 
given to Me. Go, therefore, and make disci-
ples of all nations, baptizing them in the 
name of the Father, and of the Son, and of 
the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all 
that I have commanded you; and behold, I 
am with you all days, even unto the con-
summation of the world." A greater chal-
lenge has never been given: to bring to all 
men the Word of God; to bring to all men 
that which Christ had died to secure, a 

13 



sharing, through grace, in the divine life 
here and hereafter; to gather all men under 
the regimen necessary fo r carry ing out 
Christ's mission in the world. 

The Church Is Born 

The Church itself, born from the pierced 
side of the Saviour on the cross, would re-
ceive the breath of life on Pentecost Sunday. 
During the Last Supper, our Lord had prom-
ised to send the Apostles "another Advocate" 
who would make clear and firm in their 
minds whatever Christ had told them. In 
the great wind and the tongues of flame 
of Pentecost, this Advocate, the Holy Spirit, 
the Spirit of light and of truth, came down 
upon them. He was to be their life, con-
firming their efforts, leading the Church 
strongly yet gently to the destiny given it 
by its Founder. 

St. Paul describes the Church to the 
Ephesians under the aspect of a living, or-
ganic body: "And He Himself gave some 
men as Apostles, and some as prophets, — 
for building up the body of Christ, until 
we all attain to the unity of faith and the 

14 



deep knowledge of the Son of God, to 
perfect manhood, for f rom H i m the 
whole body (being closely joined and knit 
together through every joint of the system 
according to the functioning in due measure 
of each single part) derives its increase to 
the building up of itself in love." 

Christ 's M y s t i c a l Body 

Such is the Catholic Church, the Mystical 
Body of Christ. Though the term is meta-
phorical, it does express in a concrete way 
the relation the individual baptized Christian 
bears to Christ. Every living body is an 
ordered complex of separate parts. Although 
each carries out its own definite function, 
its action is in itself incomplete; for each 
part is designed to contribute to the welfare 
of the whole. The individual parts indeed 
possess life, but only in and through the life 
of the organism. If a cell or organ is 
separated from the whole, it will wither 
and die. 

So too with the Mystical Body. Christ, 
visibly represented in the world by His Vicar 

15 



the Pope, is the Head of this Body. The 
individual members are Christians, united 
with Him in their firm acceptance of His 
word. They are subject to His authority and 
the authority of their bishops, and through 
Baptism receive supernatural life, sanctifying 
grace , communica ted through the Holy 
Spirit, who is the soul, the vital principle, of 
the whole. They are to work together, in 
harmony and proper subordination, to fulfill 
that for which Christ instituted the Church, 
the salvation of all mankind. And, in work-
ing for the good of the Body, they perfect 
themselves, growing ever more in the image 
of Christ, the Head. 

This was the image of the Church in the 
mind of St. Paul when he wrote to the 
Corinthians: "Now you are the Body of 
Christ, member for member." He was ad-
dressing himself to the whole Church, clergy 
and laity alike. Nor was his declaration 
limited to the Apostolic age. It applies to 
each successive period, and speaks with spe-
cial emphasis to our own. We too must be 
conscious of and committed to our mission 
in the world, which is to extend and strength-
en the Body of Christ, the Church. 

16 



The Church Today 

Now, the civilization of the twentieth cen-
tury has some admirable qualities. But it is 
secular. Its interest is in procuring as many 
benefits, material, social, intellectual and 
moral, as possible, but it is limited to the 
here and the now. Moreover the standard 
according to which the "good life" is judged 
has become ever more dependent on the 
machinery of material production. The drive 
to accumulate material goods has never been 
more furious. This mass mania for posses-
sion tends to force men into economic and 
social bondage. As the demand for goods 
increases, so does the power of those who 
hold the reins of production. There is con-
stant pressure to convince men that non-
essentials are essential. And with this pres-
sure, the determination of what is good for 
the individual passes more and more from 
himself to a power outside himself, whether 
industry or a benevolent state. T o the indi-
vidual person striving for security and status, 
this is the current danger. 

Here is the world which the Church, 
Christ's Mystical Body, must changé, win 
over, and lead once more to the feet of God. 

17 



In this work of renewal and redemption, the 
layman must find his proper place and func-
tion. Not that the laity are liberated from 
the teaching authority of the Sovereign 
Pontiff and the bishops, to whom in a very 
special manner Christ entrusted the guard-
ianship of His revelation. But as free" and 
adult Christians in belief and profession, 
they are to be witnesses, each in his own 
capacity and environment, to the word of 
God. For Christ wills that the salvation of 
all men shall depend on the work of His 
members, freely co-operating with Him and 
organically united to the authority He has 
established on earth. 

Christ needs free and adult Christians. 
A child is born. Throughout the years of 
childhood he is kept within narrow bounds 
and taught the things he will need for his 
future years. Only little by little is he 
given independence from parental authority. 
Finally the day comes when he launches out 
into the world to make his own way. But 
is he thereby a free adult? He may be con-
strained by no external pressure to do this 
or that. But only when he becomes conscious 
that there are others in the world to whom 
he can minister, and strives to be of service 

18 



to them, will he be a free adult. For to be 
free is to be liberated from self, and to be 
mature is to see others as one sees oneself. 
And this freedom will only be enhanced 
when he becomes conscious that his whole 
being depends on God, that God is the 
source, the meaning, the end of his life, and 
he gives himself wholly up to God's will. 
Then shall he taste true liberty. 

In the spiritual life also there is childhood 
and maturity. Through Baptism, a man is 
reborn and given individuality in the Church. 
He receives grace and holiness; the im-
age of Christ is stamped on his soul. The 
Holy Spirit comes to him to strengthen and 
guide him. He is entrusted with the word 
of God, the Creed and the Commandments. 
He is to become instructed by hearing the 
word of God. He is to strive to grow in 
perfection by practicing the word of God. 
And he is made capable of receiving the 
other sacraments, through whose graces he 
will advance toward the "perfect manhood" 
described by St. Paul. 

Confirmation is the specific sacrament of 
Christian maturity. The Christian'receiving 
it ceases to be a child who must be warned 
and cajoled into fulfilling his obligations. 

19 



Through the anointing of the bishop, the 
Holy Spirit is given to him that, as by 
another Pentecost, he may assume his proper 
place and function in the Church. He must 
become conscious of its needs, and of his 
own responsibility to help in their fulfillment. 
He is now not merely the statistical stuff out 
of which the Church is made; rather, con-
forming himself to unity of faith and disci-
pline, he in a true sense MAKES the Church. 

" Y o u A r e t h e Chu rch " 

Pope Pius X I I had this sense of Christian 
commitment in mind when, in 1946, he spoke 
to the newly created Cardinals the following 
significant words: "The Church cannot shut 
herself up, inactive, in the privacy of her 
churches, and thus neglect the mission en-
trusted to her by divine Providence,... The 
Church is the society of those who, under 
the supernatural influence of grace, in the 
perfection of their personal dignity as sons of 
God, and in the harmonious development of 
every human bent and energy, build up the 
mighty framework of the community of 
men. From this aspect the faithful, more 

20 



precisely the laity, are in the front line of 
the Church's life; through them the Church 
is the vital principle of human society. Con-

sequently, they particularly must have an 
ever clearer consciousness, not only of be? 
longing to the Church, but of BEING THE 
CHURCH, that is to say, the community of 
the faithful on earth under the leadership of 
the common head, the Pope, and of the 
bishops in communion with him." 

Hear Christ, speaking through His Vicar, 
tell Christians, and particularly the laity: 
Y o u ARE THE C H U R C H . 

How can you, adult Christian living in 
modern society, fulfill this commitment? 
How can you present a true image of the 
Church to those about you? The concrete 
ways are limitless, but they fall into three 
groups. 

"If you ask the Father anything in My 
name, He will give it to you." Your first 
duty is PRAYER. Pray for the Pope and the 
bishops that they may be strong and forth-
right in defending the deposit of faith which 
Christ has given into their keeping. Pray for 
your pastors and all priests, that they may 
be selfless in their care of souls. Pray for 

21 



missionaries, that, overcoming discourage-
ment and anxiety, they may always press 
onward to bring the word of God to those 
who do not know Him. Pray for those who 
are not members of the Church} and seven for 
those who actively persecute her throughout 
the world, that God's grace may remove 
every cloud of doubt and pride from .their 
minds and lead them to their'true home. 
Pray for the whole Church and for thei 
Church in our own country, that throughout 
all her ranks she may ever perfect herself 
to be worthy of her Head. 

"You are the salt of the earth; but if 
the salt loses its strength, what shall it be 
salted with?" You must grow in PERSONAL 
H O L I N E S S . T O be committed to the Christian 
life is no small matter; it is to take to heart 
Christ's injunction: "You therefore are to 
be perfect, even as your heavenly Father is 
perfect." It is to grow in grace by receiving 
the sacraments often and well. It is to read 
the Scriptures, especially the Gospels, and 
those books which provide solid food for 
thought and reflection, the basis of spiritual 
growth. It is to carry out the duties of your 
state in life, whether married or single, ac-
cording to God's law. It is to make dynamic 

22 



in your life the virtues of faith, hope and 
charity. It is to live in this world, busy 
and active, but to aim for heaven. 

Lastly, APOSTOLIC W O R K S help you to 
carry forward in your sphere the riches of 
the Church which have been entrusted to 
you. It is apostolic for parents to instruct 
their children in the truths of faith, and 
teach them to pray. It is apostolic for them 
to make their home a home of virtue and 
love of God. It is apostolic to teach others 
the catechism. It is apostolic to insist on 
honesty and fairness in the business world. 
It is apostolic to be concerned that the affairs 
of government, in which by your vote you 
have a voice, be regulated according to the 
demands of justice and right. It is apostolic 
to participate in the liturgy by serving as 
lay reader for the Dialogue Mass. And it is 
apostolic to enroll in those specifically ap-
proved associations which perform, under 
the direction of the bishops, a definite func-
tion in the Church, such as the Confrater-
nity of Christian Doctrine, the Legion of 
Mary and the Christian Family Movement. 

These are among the many ways in which 
you, the layman, can share in the apostolate, 

23 



witnessing by your works to the truth of the 
Gospel. And having begun, you will find it 
not only possible but deeply satisfying to 
make more and more room, even in your 
modern, compartmented life, for the needs 
of the living Body of which you are a part. 
For you will be more and more conscious of 
the loving rule of Him who is the Head, 
Christ. 

24 



GUILD PAMPHLETS 

Most Rev. Timothy Manning: The Grey Ox 
(Junípero Serra) 

Rev. William Manning: Thoughts from St. Bonaventuro 
about the Mother of God 
Rev. Charles J . McCarthy: 

Baptism B o y Wanted 
Boniface McConville, O. F. M.: 

Peace for Troubled Souls A Picture of the Man 
Owen F. McCormack, O. F. M.: The Catholic Family 

Noel F. Moholy, O. F. M.: Our Last Chance 
Very Rev. James H. Murphy: 

The Bread of Life The Church Matrimony 
When You Go to Confession Who Are Catholics? 

Rev. John L. Murphy: Life Values of the Mass 
Albert Nimeth, O. F. M.: St. Francis and the Eucharist 
Marius Noe, O. F. M. Cap.: "A Burning and a Shining 

Light" — St. Bonaventure 
Eric O'Brien, O. F. M.: Apostle of California 

Isidore O'Brien, O. F. M.: 
Blessed Are the Clean of Heart Brides of Christ 

Christ the Physician The Church Our Mother 
Compensation Hands Let Us Look at Life 

Light of the Cross Loneliness and Consolation 
Lord, Teach Us to Pray Meaning of Christmas 

Member for Member Our Dead Our Father 
The Plain Truth Resignation (also in French) 

St. Anthony St. Joseph Sculpturing Truth 
Shadow of the Cross Soldiers of Christ 

Ten Commandments of Reason The Third Order 
The Parables (4 pts.) The Sacraments (2 pts.) 

Rev. John A. O'Brien: 
The Christian Home Until Death Do Us Part 

Palling in Love Why Be Profane? 
Happiness! But Where? Why Not Receive Daily? 

Conall O'Leary, O. F. M.: 
What It Means To Be a Tertiary 

Why the Third Order of St. Francis? 
Thomas Plassmann, O. F. M.: 

The Seven Words of Mary Upon This Rock 
Francis J . Remler, C. M.: 

A Bank Account in Heaven Catholics and Sin 
Can the Bible Be the Only Rule of Faith? 

Is Life Worth Living? What Is a Good Catholic?^ 
Alphonsus Ryan, O. F. M.: 

Discouraged, Sister? Confidence, Sisterl 
Doctor A. F. Sava: A Doetor's View of Birth Control 



GUILD PAMPHLETS 

Edgar Schmiedeler, O. S. B.: 
Concerning Parents The Family Your Children 

Most Rev. Fulton J . Sheen: 
Communism, the Opium of the People 

The Lord's Prayer on the Cross 
Bev. B. Southard, S. J . : Reporter in Heaven 

Bev. Joseph Stang: Margaret Sinclair 
Eugene Cardinal Tisserant: The Iron Curtain Pastoral 

Florence Wedge: Guardian Angels 
Sebastian Weber, O. F. M. Conv.: 

Butcher, Baker, Candlestickmaker — and Christ 
Complete Religion Divine Art of Iiiving 

Inside Story of God Mystery in Catholic Churches 
Superman and the Sacrament of Confirmation 

Alexander Wyse, O. F. M.: 
Franciscan Vocation The Negro Saint 
No Small Matter St. Francis and the Christ-Child 
Shall Heaven Be Filled? Why Penance? 

DEVOTIONAL BOOKLETS 
Frayerbook for Our Times; Prayers for a Journey; 

Prayers to the Infant of Prague; Angelic Chaplet 

Stations: The Way of the Cross; Crib and Cross; 
Priest's Via Crucis; Seminarian's Via Crucis; 

Stations for Eastertide; for Seminarians 
The Holy Bucharist in Our Daily Lives; Holy Hour; 

Three Hours' Agony Devotion 
Little Treasury: of St. Anthony (English or Italian); 
of St. Jude ; of St. Philomena; of the Sacred Heart; 

Iiittle Manual of St, Madeleine Sophie; 
St. Anthony's Everyday Companion 

Novenas: in Honor of the Immaculate Conception; 
to St. Benedict the Moor; to St. Francis; 
to Our Sorrowful Mother; to St. Joseph 

The Portiuncula Indulgence; Marriage Legislation of 
the Church; Ordination of a Priest; Mass Dial 

ST. ANTHONY'S GUILD, Faterson 3, N. J . 
Special prices on quantity lots