Catechism of Peter Canisius
Peter Canisius (1521-1597) was involved at the Council of Trent as
a theologian. In his 1555 Catechism, we read the following:
9.
is the received use of images of Christ and his saints contrary to the first
commandment?
No surely: for we do not, as the
heathens are wont, worship images, stocks and stones, and if they were certain
gods (for that is specially prohibited in this commandment,) but after a
Christian manner, and with a devote mind we honor Christ himself and his saints
there where they are represented unto us by their images set before us.
So does the Church both of old and
of this present time teach with one consent, commending unto us the devote and
reverend images: the use of which we have received as commended unto us, by
Apostolic tradition; and we retain as approved by a most holy general Council of
Fathers. Yea God himself appointed to the ancient Synagogue their peculiar images.
For which cause was condemned the
error of the Iconoclasts, or Image breakers, as they that made no difference between
the likeness of the gods and the Images of Christ and his saints, nor had any
consideration of the time of grace, or the New Law wherein God himself being
made man, has put upon himself in his one image and likeness which he created
in the beginning, and has represented himself unto us in the same. And it is
not only an absurd error, but also a most wicked madness of those that cast out
of sacred places the holy images, and amongst them the Cross of our Lord, and
with sacrilegious hands, pull down in a manner all the holy things they can. (Catechism
of St. Peter Canisius, or A Sum of Christian Doctrine [English translation
1622, Latin orig. 1555], 41-42)
Catechism of James Butler
James Butler (1742-1791) was the archbishop of Cashel, in my
native Ireland. He composed his catechism in 1775.
Q. It
is lawful to recommend ourselves to the saints, and to as their prayers?
A.
Yes; as it is lawful and a very pious practice to ask the prayers of our
fellow-creatures on earth, and to pray for them. Thessal. v. 25. James,
v. 16.
Q.
Why do Catholics kneel before the images of Christ and of the saints?
A.
To honour Christ and his saints, whom their images represent. Exod. xxv.
18, 19, 22.
Q. It
is proper to show any mark of respect to the crucifix and to the pictures of
Christ and his saints?
A.
Yes; because they related to Christ and his saints, being representations and
memorials of them. Acts, xix, 12.
Q. Why
do Catholics honour the relics of the saints?
A. Because
their bodies have been the temples of the Holy Ghost: and at the last day will
be honoured and glorified for ever in heaven. Matt. ix. 20, 21.
Q. May
we then pray to the crucifix, or to the images, or relics of the saints?
A.
By no means; for they have neither life, nor sense, nor power to hear or help
us.
Q.
Why then do we pray before the crucifix, and before the images of the saints?
A. Because
they enliven our devotion, by exciting pious affections and desires, and reminding
us of Christ and his saints; they also encourage us to imitate their virtues
and good works. Exod. xxv. 18, 19, 22. St. John, iii. 14.
Q.Is
it not forbidden by the
first commandment to make images?
A.
No; if we do not make them for gods, to adore and serve them, as the idolaters
did.
(The Most Reverend Doctor James
Butler’s Catechism [New York: D. & J. Sadler Co., 1882], 32-33)
Further Reading
Answering Fundamentalist Protestants and Roman Catholic/Eastern Orthodox on Images/Icons
