Father John A. Hardon, S.J. Archives

Fr. Hardon

Fr. Hardon's Letters

February 23, 1994

Dear --- ,

My apology for being such a poor correspondent. However, be assured of a special place in my prayers especially in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.

The longer you live the more important it is to be in contact with God through prayer. The prayers we offer for others are more powerful than any exchange of correspondence. With most of my correspondents this is what I have learned, prayer is the best way I can express both my affection and my readiness to be of service.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Questions on: Science, Proof God Exists, Bible, Our Existence

July 16, 1996

Dear ---,

Thank you for your letter and apology the delay in not answering sooner. Regarding your questions, I will not be able to give lengthy answers but I will do my best. Suppose I first repeat your question and give my answer.

1. What relationship exist between science and religion?

It all depends on how you define science and religion. I define science as the systematic explanation of some thing either naturally knowable or supernaturally revealed. I define religion as the belief in a Reality beyond the world of nature this reality is eternal and necessary, on which every thing else depends. Science is our human effort to understand the world in which we live. Religion provides the foundation for this understanding.

2. Can science prove the existence of God:

Yes, science can prove the existence of God. We know that the world exists. We also know that the world is under going constant change. Either there exists a Changeless being from whom this world has come and on whom it constantly depends or the world is meaningless. In fact without a God from whom the world came and by whom the world is sustained, the world is a delusion.

3. Is there any evidence or proof (aside from the Big Bang theory) that will prove beyond any reasonable doubt that God truly exists?

The proof that God exists is the conclusion of common sense there was either originally nothing, and then there would be nothing now, from nothing comes nothing or there was originally a being who brought the world into existence out of nothing and then we have the world as created by God. We have one obvious choice. Either God exists and brought the world into existence by His own free will, or nothing exists. It is all a dream.

Or everything everyone is really god. And then we have pantheism which denies that there are individual persons which contradicts our experience. Pantheism also denies a personal responsibility which is anarchy.

4. Do all scientists today still believe in the Holy Bible, especially in the many miracles written there?

All rational scientist still believe in the Bible and in the Miracles reported in the Bible. Those who deny the validity of the Bible should logically deny all recorded history because the Bible is the most historically provable book in the world. Those who deny miracles deny the existence of God.

5. Do you truly believe that the Holy Bible is an accurate history and also a science almanac?

I not only believe that the Bible is accurate history, I know it. There is no record of comparable antiquity which is more provable than what is described in the Bible. The only choice for a person who denies that historicity of the Bible is to be universal skeptic. Who should logically deny all past history.

The Bible is not a science almanac. The purpose of the Bible was not a cheap publicity for curious people. The Bible is a record of actual events which took place. The problem with people who describe the Bible as a Science Almanac is that they have been hypnotized by the modern media.

6. Is our existence due to random chance or by supernatural design?

Our existence is not due to chance. Our existence is the result of an all wise mind and an all loving will which choose to bring us into existence here on earth in order to share God in an heavenly eternity.

I appreciate your inquisitive letter and I trust that this will be of some help to your sincere inquiry.

Be assured of my prayers with a promise of mine to our Lord.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

God's Will

Dear --- ,

I wish to thank you for writing to me. Your letter meant much more to me than I can ever express. The best way I can thank you is to commend you and yours to Our Lord.

I read you letter with deep interest. There is no doubt that many people in the western world do not know the purpose of work. The purpose of work is to do God’s will and to accept what He wants us to do. There is no choice. Either we work or we will not do God's will.

As you know for centuries the month of October has been especially dedicated to Our Lady. The reason is that during October Our Lady has miraculously communicated what she wants the Catholic faithful to do to honor her Divine Son. As a result October has become closely identified with the recitation of the rosary. More over, during October some of the most important supernatural communications have been given to the Catholic faithful. October, therefore, has been closely identified with devotion to the Mother of God. That is why in not a few countries October is specially dedicated to the Blessed Virgin. It is not though October where the only month during which we practice devotion to the Blessed Virgin. However, October has become so closely identified with Blessed Mary that it could almost be called the month of the Mother of God.

I am asking our Lady to obtain from her Divine Son all the graces you will need to join Mary and Jesus in Heaven.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

John A. Hardon, S. J.

Response to Easter Greeting

Dear --- ,

Only Our Lord knows how grateful I am for receiving your Easter greeting and spiritual gift of prayers and Masses. I am offering Mass for you and your family asking Our Lord to bless you with an abundance of His graces.

I would like to recommend you promoting devotion to Our Blessed Virgin Mary. She is the Mother of God.

There is no limit what the Blessed Virgin will do for us if only we have the faith to invoke her intercession. Never in the history of the world have we had more need of the help that only Our Lady can give us. We are living in a very secularized age in the United States. We have closed more of our Catholic Schools. In one diocese alone fifty-four Catholic churches where closed. I am afraid that most Catholics do not realize how grave the crisis is in our country. Never in the history of our nation have we needed more help from God. The secret for us Catholics is to be stronger than ever in professing our Faith. I would recommend more frequent attendance at Mass, more frequent reception of Holy Communion, and more frequent reception of the Sacrament of Penance.

The pagans of our nation have dominated our country for too long. It is about time that we Catholics woke up. We must pray, receive the Sacraments, and do more penance than we have ever done in our lives. My hope and prayer is that this letter will inspire many of you to spend themselves in reconverting Americans to Jesus Christ.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

John A. Hardon, S. J.

An Eleven Year Old Prays to be a Priest

June 24, 1999

Dear --- ,

Only Our Lord knows how grateful I am for receiving your letter. However, the circumstances in my life prevent me from writing as often or at such length as your letter deserves. Your detailed letter is most welcome.

I am pleased to know you have served the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass for B.J.'s funeral. I am sure she was pleased. B.J. understood how best to teach the Catholic faith. The best way to teach the Catholic faith, is by living the faith, it is by example.

Mother's letter states; "My Patrick, now eleven, has prayed about his vocation quite seriously since he was seven years old." And you have spent a Vocations Day for Altar Boys at Mount St. Mary's.

It was a pleasure to know that you have prayed about your vocation. And I hereby assure you of my prayers. The following is advice I would give young men considering entering the priesthood.

As you may know, in our day the priesthood is under going some of the most serious trials in the Church's history. What the Church needs at the beginning of the twenty first century is priests, who have a deep faith, a strong love of Jesus Christ crucified, and absolute loyalty to the Vicar of Christ.

Think Called to the Priesthood

July 1, 2000

Dear ---,

Thank you for your welcome letter stating, "I feel rather strongly that God may be calling me to the priesthood". God will direct you, but do you understand what it is you are being called to?

The priesthood is God's greatest gift to man. But this gift demands corresponding generosity on the part of the priest. There has never been such a thing as an ordinary priest. But in today's world we need priests who are literally martyrs for Christ. They must be willing to sacrifice everything in order to be channels of grace in today's pagan world.

To become a priest will require generosity and sacrifice. If you want to become a priest you should stop dating. The question is where would you like to become a priest? Age is a factor to be considered when you are thirty-seven years old. May I suggest Holy Apostles College and Seminary?

Holy Apostles College and Seminary
33 Prospect Hill Road
Cromwell, CT 06416

May I also suggest you telephone Brother Al his summer residence is St. John Cantius Parish. The telephone number is ---. Brother Al is an older vocation and has been attending Holy Apostles College and will be returning after the summer. Brother Al can give you good advice and guidance.

You have the promise of my continued prayers, while asking you to remember me to Our Lord.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

John A. Hardon, S. J.

Considering the Priesthood, First Attempt Not Successful

June 14, 1999

Dear --- ,

It was a pleasure hearing from you and especially good to know that you have pursued the priesthood. Although your first attempt was not entirely successful I will pray that God will show you another way. It is most important for us to see His hand in the trials in our life. Jesus loves you very much trust with your whole heart. I have learned many things that I never knew before. Among these is the mysterious relationship between surrendering our wills to the will of God and the happiness we may expect, not only in heaven but even here.

As you know, in our day the priesthood is under going some of the most serious trials in the Church's history. What the Church needs at the beginning of the twenty first century is priests, who have a deep faith, a strong love of Jesus Christ crucified, and absolute loyalty to the Vicar of Christ.

To have a strong faith, we must grow in our understanding of what we believe. The love of Jesus crucified means a sincere love of the cross, seeing every thing in our lives as a part of God's mysterious providence. Loyalty to the Holy Father means seeing in His teaching Christ, Himself instructing us in the mysteries of our faith.

All of this is possible only through a deep devotion to the Holy Eucharist. Christ Our Lord is on earth now in the Blessed Sacrament. Once we realize that, then we expect miracles in our life. We priests need miracles of God's grace.

Be assured of my special prayers with a request for yours to Our Lord.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Ordination

May 10, 1995

Dear Rev --- ,

My sincere congratulation on your forthcoming ordination to the priesthood of Jesus Christ on the 27th of May. With you I thank our Lord for the years of graces that He has been giving you in anticipation of you joining Him in His own priesthood.

As far as possible, all my prayers on the day of your ordination will be to ask our Lord to make you a holy priest, who is faithful to his Master. This means that you will be asked to join Him in living a life of sacrifice out of love for the souls which He died on the cross to redeem. May I recommend that you especially cultivate a deep love of our Lord in the Holy Eucharist, who's real presence is made possible by our priestly ordination. You will have a permanent place in my own intentions at the altar.

Unfortunately I will not be personally attending either your ordination or your first Mass, but I will be with you in spirit asking our Savior to bless your priesthood with an abundance of grace and through you bring many others to His Sacred Heart.

Remember me in your prayers to our Lord.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Past Ordination day and Apology for not Being Present

May 27, 2000

Dear Father ---,

I congratulate you with all my heart on your ordination in the priesthood on May 20th. As you know, the priesthood is God's greatest gift to man. But this gift demands corresponding generosity on the part of the priest. There has never been such a thing as an ordinary priest. But in today's world we need priests who are literally martyrs for Christ. They must be willing to sacrifice everything in order to be channels of grace in today's paganized world.

It was not possible for me to be physically present either at your ordination or your first Solemn Mass. However, I have offered everything I possibly could to Our Lord on your ordination day, asking Him to make you a priest according to His own divine heart.

You have the promise of my continued prayers for you and the souls you will service, while asking you to remember me to Our Lord.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

John A. Hardon, S. J.

Troubled Family - Broken Family

June 14, 1999

Dear ---,

Thank you for your correspondence. My apology for the long delay, in answering your letter. The delay was not neglect. The circumstances in my life and my health prevent me from answering as often or in more detail.

I have prayed for you, and your entire family's situation. You and your needs and those of your family have been in my special prayers. Only Our Lord fully understands why we are to embrace the cross, which He sends us. It is most important for us to see His hand in the trials in our life. Jesus loves you very much, trust with your whole heart.

The important thing is to be open to the will of God, no matter what He asks of you. A good norm for discovering what God wants of you is to prayerfully give yourself the advice you would give someone else who you know as well as you know yourself.

The best support for you at this time is the Holy Eucharist. Go to Him, He is waiting for you. Christ Our Lord is on earth now in the Blessed Sacrament. Once we realize that, then we expect miracles in our life. He will change your life through prayer at the tabernacle. We must have a strong faith, we must grow in our understanding of what we believe.

I will ask Our Lady to intercede for you and your family. As you know she has great power to obtain what she asks of her Divine Son. I am asking her to obtain for you a deep love for Jesus, and you may be surprised.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

To Grow in Faith

Dear ---,

To have a strong faith, we must grow in our understanding of what we believe. The love of Jesus crucified means a sincere love of the cross, seeing everything in our lives as a part of God's mysterious providence. Loyalty to the Holy Father means seeing in His teaching Christ, Himself instructing us in the mysteries of our faith.

All of this is possible only through a deep devotion to the Holy Eucharist. Christ Our Lord is on earth now in the Blessed Sacrament. Once we realize that, then we expect miracles in our life.

In the future you may need this advice and may want to purchase this book. My most important advice and recommendation is to trust Our Lord absolutely. To do this I suggest you have a copy of Caussade's Abandonment to Divine Providence. I recommend it as a classic work on how to cultivate trust in the providence of God.

Nothing in our life ever happens by chance. Everything in our life, is planned by God as a means for growing in our love of Him and His ensuring our eternal happiness.

Make acts of confidence in God often during the day. It works.

You have the promise of my prayers. I ask you to remember me to Our Lord.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

John A. Hardon, S. J.

Make a Right Decision

June 28, 1999

Dear ---,

Thank you for your correspondence. I am sorry that I am not able to write as often or at such length as your letter deserves. But Our Lord does not give me the liberty to do this. The best way I can be of service is with my continued prayers and sacrifice for you.

You stated in your letter, "Perhaps you can give us some help in reaching a difficult decision... considering a move . The main concern against moving seems to be John’s reluctance to start over."

I have two suggestions to offer you and your husband. Seriously consider your husband's reluctance to start over. Obedience works miracles. Another important recommendation is to trust Our Lord absolutely. The important thing is to be open to the will of God, no matter what He asks of you. A good norm for discovering what God wants of you is to prayerfully give yourself the advice you would give some one else who you know as well as you know yourself.

If you have not made the at home thirty day, Ignatian Spiritual Retreat, may I suggest the retreat. Make the retreat to obtain right reason for making your decision. Ask God to assure you that the decision you come to, is one that will please you both but especially be pleasing to God.

Be assured of my prayers, please remember me to our Lord.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

John A. Hardon, S. J.

Must Discern, Make a Right Decision

June 23, 1999

Dear ---,

I am sorry that I am not able to write as often or at greater lengths as your letter deserves, but Our Lord does not give me the best of health or the liberty to do so. May the Lord bless you for your detailed letter, which you sent me sometime ago. It tells me that Our Lord is trying you, by your deep concern to do His will.

My most important recommendation is to trust Our Lord absolutely. Have you read Caussade's, Abandonment to Divine Providence? I recommend it as a classic work on how to cultivate trust in the providence of God. Nothing in our life ever happens by chance. Everything in our life is planned by God as a means for growing in our love of Him and His ensuring our eternal happiness. Make acts of confidence in God often during the day. It works.

The important thing is to be open to the will of God, no matter what He asks of you. A good norm for discovering what God wants of you is to prayerfully give yourself the advice you would give someone else who you know as well as you know yourself.

The best way to come to a decision is to be with Christ at the tabernacle. Go to Him, Our Eucharistic Lord. He is waiting for you. Christ Our Lord is on earth now in the Blessed Sacrament. Once we realize that, then we expect miracles in our life. He will change your life, confirm your decisions through prayer at the tabernacle.

This is my prayer for you that you will give yourself with your whole heart to Our Lord and reap abundantly from the treasure of His love.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

John A. Hardon, S. J.

Promote and Restore Faith in the Real Presence

June 19, 2000

Dear ---,

This Holy Year we Catholics must do every thing in our power to restore the true faith. The heart of the true faith is belief in the real presence of Jesus Christ in the Holy Eucharist.

We will therefore begin to organize, what may be called a Eucharist Crusade in the United States.

The Catholic Church is only as strong as its faith in Christ's presence in the Holy Eucharist. This must be our goal to promote and to restore faith in the real physical presence of Jesus Christ on earth in the Blessed Sacrament.

I am offering Mass for you and your family asking Our Lord to bless you with an abundance of His graces. Please remember me to Our Lord.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

John A. Hardon, S. J.

Take on Your Concern - Your are the Church

June 28, 1999

Dear

Thank you for your correspondence. It tells me that Our Lord is trying you by your deep concern, the use of alcohol. As you state in your letter …The Church in its teaching capacity …not wanting …to address the problem of alcohol use." You have brought this subject to my attention a number of times. Is there a special reason for doing this? Do you have a personal concern you wish to share with me?

Perhaps I have said this to you before, but it does deserve repeating. Your letter tells me that Our Lord is trying you by your deep concern, about the Church and alcohol. May I share with you my own conviction? When I see so many things going on that displease me I offer them up to Our Lord and leave their solution to His providence.

Another thought I would like to share with you. Have you considered doing something about it, taking on this task that so concerns you. Think about what you can do, even if it appears small and secondary. Ask yourself, what do I want the Church to do? Now you do it. Remember you are the Church. Pray and do not underestimate the power of your prayers. To get the job done, it helps immensely to practice some self-sacrifice to obtain what you need. It is most important for us to see His hand in the trials in our life. Jesus loves you very much trust with your whole heart.

Keep me in your prayers with a promise of mine to our Lord.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

John A. Hardon, S. J.

Death

June 11, 1999

Dear ---,

I have just heard of the recent death of your beloved wife. Humanly speaking, is always a great loss. Our Lord, Himself wept at the tomb of Lazarus.

But our faith teaches that we shall one day be reunited in eternity with those whom we have loved on earth. And this will continue for ages without end. In the mean time we should pray to those whom we have loved, pray for them, and hold conversations with them. Your wife is now closely to us now than she ever was before our Lord called her to Himself.

I shall remember your wife, along with my mother in my daily masses. Your love for her should be stronger than ever. Remember me to our Lord, as I promise to remember you and your family.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Death

Dear ---,

I am sorry that I am not able to write as often or at greater lengths as your letter deserves, but Our Lord does not give me excellent health or the liberty to so.

I am sure Mary is in your prayers as she is in mine. She was a lady who shared her faith in the very best way, by example. Her example won over many hearts to Our Lord and His blessed Mother. Continue to pray for her.

As you know, the months of May and June go together. During May we express our love for our Lady. We ask her to obtain from Jesus the grace we need to do what ever He tells us. During June we address Our Lord in His Sacred Heart, begging Him to give us something of His generosity in loving us even to dying out of love for us on the cross.

Only in heaven will you know how grateful I am for your kindness and prayers. In the meantime be assured of my continued prayers, with a request for yours to Our Lord.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Death is God’s mysterious way of detaching our hearts from everything in this world. We are to look forward to heaven. This hope should be the source of our deepest joy.

Evil Spirit, Strange Noises

September 26, 1999

Dear ---,

May the peace of Christ be with you. I received your letter for which I was very grateful. You have my apology for the long delay in answering. Your letter meant much more to me than I can ever express. The best way I can thank you is to commend you and yours to Our Lord.

I think your experiences are a sign that God wants you to do His will in a special way. I would recommend that you pray for at least for thirty days asking Our Lord to tell you what you should do with your life.

Keep me informed about what decision you reach after about thirty days. Pray for light. I am confident that God has a special plan for you. What you need to find, is what is God's plan for you.

Keep me informed by mail or by telephone. My phone number is - .

Be assured of my special prayers.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

John A. Hardon, S. J,

Copyright © 1994 - 2000 by John A. Hardon, S.J.