Excerpt from Sermons and Lectures on the Missions, Vol. 1: A Collection of Sermons, Lectures, and Sketches on the Catholic Missions

It cannot be denied that the mission sermon among Catholics still retains the character of an occasional address delivered in conjunction with a mission Sunday, a mission feast, or a similar celebration. The mission theme is generally treated in a cursory manner, it seeks with too intense an interest the practical purpose of encouraging the liberality of Catholics, a purpose that will, of itself, never suffice. The mission thought must acquire for itself an assured place in the catechism class and the pulpit. The knowledge must be spread that the heathen mission is quite as noble a pulpit theme as any other doctrine of our holy religion, because it is an importnat factor of our Faith. Experience has shown that this very theme, when judiciously handled, is better adapted than any other to arouse in the Christian heart sentiments of faith, to extend the view of Catholics beyond the narrow confines of their parishes, and to unroll before their eyes the grand panorama of Christ's great kingdom and its problems.

Thanks to the enlightening influence of our mission pamphlets and church papers, a better understanding of the situation is developing among the clergy. The lawfulness of our watchword, "the mission theme for the pulpit, " is being acknowledged at last, and the need of a Catholic pulpit literature that will offer to a busy pastor ready material for mission sermons is being emphasized by many voices. Although an extensive mission literature for the Protestant pulpit has been extant these many years, it is to be regretted that so little in this regard has been done within our own circles. Our existing literature consists of but meagre material and it is in vain that we look for outlines of mission sermons even in our larger works and libraries. Here, surely, is a deficiency that should be supplied, a deplorable negligence that should be amended.

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