Augustine says, 'no greater wealth, no greater treasure, than the Catholic faith,' provided we live as our faith teaches us. The truth of this is especially felt by Catholics at the hour of death. In matters of faith never trust your own judgment, but always humbly submit to the decisions of Holy Church; for when you believe what the Church teaches, you believe the Word of God.
§ 3. Mysteries.
19. Can we understand all the truths of Faith?
No; we cannot understand all the truths of Faith, because some of them are mysteries.
20. What are Mysteries?
Mysteries are truths beyond reason, which we cannot completely understand; but we believe them to be.
'The divine mysteries by their own nature so far transcend the created intelligence that, even when delivered by Revelation and received by Faith, they remain covered with a veil of Faith itself, and shrouded in a certain degree of darkness, so long as we are pilgrims in this mortal life, not yet with God: "for we walk by Faith and not by sight" (2 Cor. v. 7).' (Counc. of Vat., Dogmatic Constitution, On Faith, IV.)
21. Are Mysteries contrary to reason?
Mysteries are beyond reason, but not contrary to it.
'Although Faith is above reason, there can never be any real discrepancy between Faith and reason; since the same God who reveals Mysteries and infuses Faith has bestowed the light of reason on the human mind, and God cannot deny Himself, nor can truth contradict truth.' (Council of Vatican, lb.)
§ 4. Holy Scripture.
22. Where are the truths revealed of God contained?
The truths revealed by God are contained in the Holy Scripture and tradition.
23. What is the Holy Scripture?
The Holy Scripture is a collection of books which were written by the inspiration of the Holy Ghost, and acknowledged by the Church as the Word of God.
