The greatest obstacle in the apostolate of the Church is the timidity or rather the cowardice of the faithful.
Interpretation
Timidity among the faithful hinders the Church's mission.
Pope Pius X emphasizes that the major barrier to the Church's ability to fulfill its mission and influence society is not external opposition, but rather a lack of courage among its members. This cowardice prevents faithful individuals from actively participating or standing up for their beliefs, ultimately limiting the Church's impact in the world.
In practice
In a sermon discussing the Church's role in social justice, one might use this quote to encourage parishioners to act boldly.
It is an error to believe that Christ did not teach a determined body of doctrine applicable to all times and to all men, but rather that He inaugurated a religious movement adapted, or to be adapted, to different times and different places.
Holy Communion is the shortest and safest way to heaven.
Let the storm rage and the sky darken - not for that shall we be dismayed. If we trust as we should in Mary, we shall recognize in her, the Virgin Most Powerful "who with virginal foot did crush the head of the serpent.
The Rosary is the most beautiful and the most rich in graces of all prayers; it is the prayer that touches most the Heart of the Mother of God...and if you wish peace to reign in your homes, recite the family Rosary.
Our Apostolic Mandate requires from Us that We watch over the purity of the Faith and the integrity of Catholic discipline. It requires from Us that We protect the faithful from evil and error; especially so when evil and error are presented in dynamic language which, concealing vague notions and ambiguous expressions with emotional and high-sounding words, is likely to set ablaze the hearts of men in pursuit of ideals which, whilst attractive, are nonetheless nefarious.
Nothing would please us more than to see our beloved children form the habit of reading the Gospels - not merely from time to time, but every day.
Self-esteem is the greatest sickness known to man or woman because it's conditional.
Perhaps I can say that I am a bit astute, that I can adapt to circumstances, but it is also true that I am a bit naive. Yes, but the best summary, the one that comes more from the inside and I feel most true is this: I am a sinner whom the Lord has looked upon.
We kill at every step, not only in wars, riots and executions. We kill when we close our eyes to poverty, suffering and shame.In the same way all disrespect for life, all hard-heartedness,all indifference, all contempt is nothing else than killing.
Nobody gets argued all the way into becoming a believer on the sheer basis of logic and reason. That requires a leap of faith.
Live for this life as though you live in it forever and live for the life to come as though you die tomorrow.
The other salient characteristic of the Declaration is its universality: it applies to all human beings without any discrimination whatever; it also applies to all territories, whatever their economic or political regime.
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