XXXIII. The Dutiful Child of the Church
I. A DISTINGUISHING characteristic of a virtuous young man, and one which makes him universally respected, is the honor, love, and obedience he shows his mother. You, however, have three mothers: your earthly mother; your heavenly mother, the Blessed Virgin Mary; and your spiritual mother, the Holy Catholic Church. And how good, how careful a mother is this last! Reflect upon this thought for a few moments, and lay it well to heart. Thus will you love and honor this mother in an ever-increasing degree, and render her a more exact and willing obedience.
2. If you owe honor, love, and obedience to your earthly mother, how much more to your spiritual mother, the Holy Catholic Church 1 Bear constantly in mind the words of Jesus: "He that heareth you, heareth me." As a good Catholic, true to your convictions, you will never speak in a disrespectful manner of the Church, her doctrines, her services, her ceremonies, or her priests. You will never listen complacently when such conversation is carried on, but, on the contrary, strive to prevent conversation of this nature as far as you are able. Also you will not take in or read books and newspapers which show themselves to be either unsympathetic toward your mother, or openly hostile in regard to her.
3. You must also love the Church, and rejoice in her prosperity and promote her interests as far as it lies in your power to do so. You must understand that any one who looks on with toleration or indifference when his mother
