Theological Foundations new file

132 Theological Foundations signs of the approaching times — he tried to get the broad circles of society involved in the work to defend and propagate the faith. In Father Matulaitis-Matulewicz’s opinion, apostolic work should be popularized in such a way that Catholics would be concerned for and devoted to not only the charitable institutions but also to the defense and the propaga- tion of the faith, the glorification of the Church. “How much good lay- men and laywomen could do if they were only instructed and enlight- ened beforehand in matters of faith, informed about the needs of the Church, enkindled with the fire of holy zeal and then well organized into groups and attracted to the work of spreading the faith! They would be able to bring Christ into places we priests could not even approach.” 54 Father Matulaitis-Matulewicz pointed out that there are many other kinds of apostolic work. One of the most effective means of spreading and defending the faith is religious knowledge. “Perhaps the greatest calamity of our times is intellectual departure from the real truth and the way of faith, and the chaos and confusion in the realm of ideas. To repair this evil , we ourselves must acquire knowl- edge of the true, Catholic doctrine — know our faith well, fully, com- prehensively. This accomplished, we must strive to enlighten the minds of others with this light of faith (...). Just as there are all kinds of chari- table institutions with their rosters of numerous, registered members, so also there should be organizations for the propagation, teaching and defense of the faith. And we should try to attract as many people as pos- sible into them (...). Domestics, teachers, laborers, craftsmen and farm- ers could be organized into societies (...). Whoever loves God and the Church, whoever cherishes God’s glory and the prosperity of the Church, let him join the crusade for God and the Church.” 55 This appeal issued by the Renovator of the Marians reads like a sum- mary of his teaching about the Church. One might also say that it reflects the spirit of the Founder. Both authors teach that Christian formation is essentially ecclesial, that it takes places in the Church and is based on the Church. They do not practice dogmatic or fundamental theology. Rather, as they teach about the Church, they point to the practical ele-