Magisterium & Tradition
Online access to teachings and traditions of the Catholic Church, featuring many pertaining to evangelical thought, life and ministry. Also view the listing of the occurrences of the word “Evangelical” in the Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers and in the Ante-Nicene Fathers
Magisterium
Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy
The sacred liturgy does not exhaust the entire activity of the Church. Before men can come to the liturgy they must be called to faith and to conversion…. (Sacrosanctum Concilium, 9).
Evangelization in the Modern World
Evangelizing is in fact the grace and vocation proper to the Church, her deepest identity. She exists in order to evangelize (Evangelium Nuntiandii, 14).
Dogmatic Constitution on the Church
Therefore, even when occupied with temporal affairs, the laity can and must be involved in the precious work of evangelizing the world (Lumen Gentium, 35).
Decree on the Apostolate of the Laity
This witness of life, however, is not the sole element in the apostolate; the true apostle is on the lookout for occasions to proclaim Christ by word, either to unbelievers to draw them towards faith, of to the faithful to instruct them, strengthen them, call them to a more fervent life (Apostolicam Actuositatem, 6).
Mission of the Redeemer
A radical conversion in thinking is required in order to become missionary, and this holds true both for individuals and entire communities. The Lord is always calling us to come out of ourselves and to share with others the goods we possess, starting with the most precious gift of all – our faith. The effectiveness of the Church’s organizations, movements, parishes and apostolic works must be measured in the light of this missionary imperative. Only by becoming missionary will the Christian community be able to overcome its internal divisions and tensions, and rediscover its unity and its strength of faith (Redemptoris Missio, 49).
Catechism of the Catholic Church
The Church’s first purpose is to be the sacrament of the inner union of men with God (775).
General Directory for Catechesis
Evangelization begins with the proclamation of the Gospel and the call to conversion, and in its fullness evolves into catechesis (61).
God is Love
Proclamation is the permanent priority of mission. The Church cannot elude Christ’s explicit mandate, nor deprive men and women of the “Good News” about their being loved and saved by God (Deus Caritas Est 44.1).
Tradition
Christian Classics Ethereal Library
Online resource of classic Christian spiritual and theological writings, including those of St. Ignatius, Teresa of Avila, Thomas a Kempis, and Brother Lawrence.
Fathers of the Church
Biographies and writings of the Fathers of the Church in an alphabetical listing.
Summa Theologica
The masterpiece of Thomas Aquinas.