die; which will be our strength and our shield in prosperity and adversity, in health and in sickness, in life and in death.
It is indeed a doctrine of vital importance. It is no mere open question respecting which men may hold harmlessly differences of opinion. It is an essential part of the faith of the Catholic Church. It affects our relation to Christian truth in many ways. How can we understand aright the nature of the Church of Christ itself, if we are ignorant of Him who dwells in the Church as a living temple; who is the very life of the mystical Body of Christ? How can we know the nature, significance or effect of the Sacraments, if we know not Him from whom they derive their life and their power? Or how shall our spiritual life be duly fostered and strengthened if we are in error concerning the Giver of life, who is with us to lead us into all truth, and is the Author of every grace and of every gift?
