Those words describe most of us to one extent or another. No matter how well catechized we believe ourselves to be, there is always more to learn — though, as Archbishop Noll reminds us, “one may have a vast store of religious knowledge gathered from study and still lack faith — because faith belongs to the supernatural order and is a gift of God.”
Father Smith Instructs Jackson is a valuable resource for study, but you will find it even more valuable if you keep Archbishop Noll’s words in mind as you read it, and ask the Holy Spirit to use the knowledge found herein to open your soul to the grace that will deepen your faith.
A Note on the Current Edition
This Noll Library version is the fourth major edition of Father Smith Instructs Jackson. For over 50 years, and through a hundred or more printings, the first edition of this book underwent minor revisions at the hands of Archbishop Noll and his trusted collaborator, Father Lester J. Fallon, C.M. In the wake of the Second Vatican Council, Father Albert J. Nevins, a Maryknoll priest who was editor of Our Sunday Visitor from 1969 to 1980 (and publisher for the entire company), created a second edition that incorporated passages from the documents of Vatican II directly into the dialogues and updated the Instructions on the Mass and other sacraments to reflect the changes introduced by Pope Paul VI in 1969.
Later still, the theologian and scholar Paul Thigpen created a third edition (known as the Centennial Edition) that built on Father Nevins’s work and incorporated passages from the current Catechism of the Catholic Church directly into the dialogues.
These monumental efforts by Father Nevins and Paul Thigpen created versions of Archbishop Noll’s work that spoke to contemporary readers, but in the process, the simplicity and the impact of the original text was lost. Archbishop Noll’s style is direct and distinctive, and quite different from that of the Council Fathers and the editors of the Catechism of the Catholic Church.
Our goal with the Noll Library edition of Father Smith Instructs Jackson is to allow the reader to experience the text as originally written, by returning to the text of the final version of the first edition, with its minor corrections and emendations, that was approved by Archbishop Noll. In doing so, we have preserved the work of Father Nevins and Paul Thigpen by moving any significant additions that they made to endnotes. That way, the reader who wants to go deeper into any particular topic discussed by Archbishop Noll can easily find relevant material from the documents of Vatican II and the Catechism of the Catholic Church without having to set this volume down. Similarly, changes to the Mass and sacraments between the Extraordinary Form and the Ordinary Form of the Roman Rite are noted in the endnotes. Finally, the Centennial Edition introduced a first name (“Chris”) for Mr. Jackson, in an attempt to soften for modern ears Father Smith’s form of addressing his student; the Noll Library edition returns here as well to the original text.
Introduction
Dear Friend:
The course of instructions contained in this book — in dialogue form — is intended both for Catholics who were deprived, during their youth, of a training in the science of God, and for non-Catholics who are interested in learning what the Catholic Church teaches officially concerning religious doctrine and practices.
But it must ever be remembered that one may have a vast store of religious knowledge gathered from study and still lack faith — because faith belongs to the supernatural order and is a gift of God. Catholics who are convinced that they possess the true Faith, should frequently thank Almighty God that He has so blessed them and should show their gratitude by striving to interest others in their religion. The convert to the true Faith, also especially blessed by God, should show his appreciation by making an effort to share it with his non-Catholic friends.
Both the Catholic and the non-Catholic, while exercising an apostolate for the cause of Christ and of souls, should pray daily that God may draw to Himself those who are near and dear to them. If they are prayed for in this way, indifferent Catholics will be best impelled by God’s grace to take a greater interest in their religion, and non-Catholics will become better disposed to hearken to the voice of God’s Church.
An inquiry into the claims of the Catholic Church, such as you are about to make, results in the conversion of nearly 100,000 citizens of the United States every year, or approximately 250 every day.
Despite the prejudices in which so many have been reared, despite the stricter religious discipline under which Catholics must live, the Catholic Church grows faster than all other churches combined.
As you continue your inquiry you will learn that the Catholic religion claims to be essentially different from others — because it is divine in origin, divine in character, divine in its means of sanctification.
Your instructor will probably question you from the Baltimore Catechism, but if you master this book, which, I believe, you will find extremely interesting, you will be able, in your own words, to answer practically all questions contained in that Catechism.
The author is greatly indebted to the Rev. L. J. Fallon, C.M., of Saint Louis, for the interest he has shown in this work, and for the supervision he has long been exercising over Instructions by Correspondence.
The author feels equally indebted to the Daughters of Isabella who, as a national organization, have contributed most generous funds for the furtherance of the work initiated by Father Fallon.
Praying God’s blessing on all who seek, through this book, to learn Him better and to love Him more, and asking their prayers in return, I am
Yours in Christ,
John Francis Noll, D.D., LL.D.
Part I
God’s Church and Her Teachings
“I will build my Church.” — Mt 16:18
“The Church of the living God, the pillar and mainstay of the truth.” — 1 Tm 3:15
“If he refuse to hear even the Church, let him be to thee as the heathen and the publican.” — Mt 18:17
“He who hears you, hears me.” — Lk 10:16
“Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations … and behold, I am with you all days, even unto the consummation of the world.” — Mt 28:19-20
“He is the head of his body, the Church.” — Col 1:18
“So we, the many, are one body in Christ.” — Rom 12:5
“As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it remain on the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in me.” — Jn 15:4
“I persecuted the Church of God.” — Gal 1:13
“Why dost thou persecute me?” — Acts 9:4-5
Getting Acquainted
Mr. Jackson. Good evening, Reverend.
Father Smith. Good evening; come in. What can I do for you?
Mr. J. My name is Jackson. I came to see you about taking instructions in the Catholic religion, if you have the time.
Father S. Certainly I have the time; and if I didn’t, I would try to make it. Instruction is an important part of my work. If I am frank with