Catholicism, like Jewry, is persecuted because of its solidarity. But we are not forgetful for want of reminders that there is a Catholicism accurately distinguished by inverted commas: a heresy as subtle as that of the Pharisees: a ‘faith’ impotent to find expression in action. It is the faith of multitudes, but more especially of the elect. I would explain: it is the faith that has been called super-Catholicism.

Super. For it is courageous in condemnation (where the weaker brethren, through foolish sympathy or fear of inhumanity, fail), it is admired, rather than considered inordinate, for its craving for Test. Its width is infinite; dare I say, its depth negligible? It deplores ‘materialism’; its affirmation of trust in the Providence of God and indemnification hereafter renders suspect, almost, any suggestion of the obligations of justice here below. Yet, in its ‘simplicity,’ it inspires prayer for much more than Daily Bread, the sufficiency for which our Lord taught us to ask: and a host of additional delicacies is said to be the reward of this ‘childish faith.’ A Heavenly intimacy reduces the Saints to the level of contractors; familiarity does not, however, breed contempt.

It has a frugal trend. It is less costly to lavish devotion upon an idealised Christ than upon the Saviour, who (dying for mankind) promised thereafter to disguise himself as suffering humanity.

Now it is Super-Catholicism, and not Catholicism, that has no answer to the charge of individualism brought by communists and others against the Church of God. Would they (my super-Catholics) be as surprised as Communists to learn that the doctrinal conception of the Sacred Heart presents human society with a theory of true Communism?