297. The formation if conscience

YOUCAT Catechism + Catechism of the Catholic Church Lesson 297

Ave Maria series

Can a person form his conscience?

Yes, in fact he must do that.  The conscience, which is innate to every person endowed with reason, can be misled and deadened.  That is why it must be formed into an increasingly fine-tuned instrument for acting rightly.  [1783-1788, 1799-1800]

The repentant Mary Magdalene by Giovanni Bellini(c. 1430-1516).    “ When (Jesus) had risen, early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had driven seven demons.”  -- Mark 16:9 …..297

The first school of conscience is self-criticism.  We have the tendency to judge things to our own advantage.  The second school of conscience is orientation to the good actions of others.  The correct formation of conscience leads a man into the freedom to do what has been correctly identified as good.  With the help of the Holy Spirit and Scripture, the Church over her long history has accumulated a vast knowledge about right action; it is part of her mission to instruct people and also to give them directions.  344

“In the formation of their consciences, the Christian faithful ought carefully to attend to the sacred and certain doctrine of the Church.  For the church is, by the will of Christ, the teacher of the truth.”  --Second Vatican Council, Dignitatis Humanae

“Christians have a great help for the formation of conscience in the Church and her Magisterium.” Pope St. John Paul II, Veritatis Splendor

“Everything that has to do with morality logically is derived ultimately from theology, at any rate not from secular reasoning.”  Max Horkheimer (1895-1973, German philosopher and sociologist)

1783-1788, 1799-1800

THE FORMATION OF CONSCIENCE

1783  Conscience must be informed and moral judgment enlightened. A well-formed conscience is upright and truthful. It formulates its judgments according to reason, in conformity with the true good willed by the wisdom of the Creator. The education of conscience is indispensable for human beings who are subjected to negative influences and tempted by sin to prefer their own judgment and to reject authoritative teachings. –Catechism of the Catholic Church, Second Edition

1784  The education of the conscience is a lifelong task. From the earliest years, it awakens the child to the knowledge and practice of the interior law recognized by conscience. Prudent education teaches virtue; it prevents or cures fear, selfishness and pride, resentment arising from guilt, and feelings of complacency, born of human weakness and faults. The education of the conscience guarantees freedom and engenders peace of heart. –CCC

1785  In the formation of conscience the Word of God is the light for our path, (54 Compare Psalm 119:105.)⁵⁴ we must assimilate it in faith and prayer and put it into practice. We must also examine our conscience before the Lord's Cross. We are assisted by the gifts of the Holy Spirit, aided by the witness or advice of others and guided by the authoritative teaching of the Church. (Compare Dignitatis Humanae 14.)⁵⁵–CCC

TO CHOOSE IN ACCORD WITH CONSCIENCE

1786  Faced with a moral choice, conscience can make either a right judgment in accordance with reason and the divine law or, on the contrary, an erroneous judgment that departs from them. –CCC

1787  Man is sometimes confronted by situations that make moral judgments less assured and decision difficult. But he must always seriously seek what is right and good and discern the will of God expressed in divine law. –CCC

1788  To this purpose, man strives to interpret the data of experience and the signs of the times assisted by the virtue of prudence, by the advice of competent people, and by the help of the Holy Spirit and his gifts. –CCC

IN BRIEF

1799  Faced with a moral choice, conscience can make either a right judgment in accordance with reason and the divine law or, on the contrary, an erroneous judgment that departs from them. –CCC

1800  A human being must always obey the certain judgment of his conscience. –CCC

JT Saint beloved Mary