Predestination

MAY 2014 BLOG

Fr. Louis Guardiola, C.P.M.

In the widest sense it is every eternal decision of God; in a narrower sense it is the supernatural final destination of rational creatures; and in the strict sense it is God’s eternal decision to assume certain rational creatures into heavenly glory. Predestination implies an act of the Divine intellect and of the Divine will.  The first is foreknowledge, the second predestination. According to its efficacy in time, predestination is considered as incomplete or complete depending on whether it is to grace or also to glory. Complete predestination is the Divine preparation of grace in the present life and of glory in the life to come.

This doctrine is proposed by the ordinary and universal teaching of the Church as a truth of Divine revelation. The reality of predestination is clearly attested to by St. Paul. “They are the ones He chose especially long ago and intended to become true images of the Son, so that His Son, might be the eldest of many brothers. He called those He intended for this; those He called He justified and those He justified He shared His glory.” (Romans 8: 29-30). All elements of complete predestination are given: the activity of God’s mind and will and the principal stages of its realization in time.

The main difficulty in the doctrine of predestination is whether God’s eternal decision has been taken with or without consideration of human freedom. Catholic teaching holds that predestination by God does not deny the human free will. Numerous theories have been given on how to reconcile the two, but all admit with St. Paul (Romans 11:33) that it is an unfathomable mystery.

About Fr. Lou Guardiola

Father Louis was born March 23rd, 1953 into a Mexican-American family in Detroit, Michigan. He has been a member of the Blue Army of Our Lady of Fatima since 1967. He attended Loyola University of Chicago, graduating Cum Laude in Scholastic Philosophy and Classical languages in 1976, having studied four years of Latin and five years of Greek. He taught Religious Education for many years in Illinois, Michigan, Kentucky and Connecticut as a layperson, novice, religious brother, Deacon and Priest. He studied under Fr. John Hardon as a Lay Catechist for seven years (1989-96) assisting him in research for his articles, books, and catechisms and in coordinating conferences with bishops and cardinals. Father Louis entered religious life with the Fathers of Mercy in 1996. He studied at Holy Apostles Seminary 1997-2001, graduating with M.A. in Divinity and M.A. in Theology, Magna cum Laude and class valedictorian. He was ordained May 31st, 2001, then assigned as assistant Pastor of Sacred Heart Church and interim Pastor of St. Peter?s church 2001-2. Father now resides at the Fathers of Mercy Generalate in South Union, Kentucky when he is not preaching missions, retreats and 40 hours devotions. Fr. Louis, and other members of the congregation, in conjunction with The Real Presence Association , is available to: Come to your parish as Eucharistic Speakers to promote Perpetual Adoration and Education Come to your parish to conduct a 40 hours devotion Come to your parish to conduct a week-long Eucharistic mission or retreat