Forgotten Catholic Classics presents: Season 2

The Martyrs of the Coliseum Historical Records of the Great Amphitheatre of Ancient Rome

by A.J. (AUGUSTINE J.) O'REILLY

We continue with the book "Blame No One But Yourself" by Fr Doyle. In chapter 10 he says , "No doubt, you have often heard people use the expression: "Oil and water don't mix." From your own experience, perhaps, you have learned that when you mix certain chemicals you cause an explosion. I am fairly well convinced that certain personalities clash and when confined to the narrow limits of conjugal union the results are disastrous. It is in an effort to avoid such tragedies that this chapter is presented for your careful and studied consideration. "

In Ch 9 of "Blame No One But Yourself" Fr Doyle tells us that marriage must be between 2 people who are emotionally, vocationally, physically, and spiritually mature. He digs into the root of the word "Matrimony" - the "office of Mother", and says, "woe to the man or woman who enters marriage moved rather from lust than from love of children! Such make a mockery of marriage". He also loads this chapter with more of his practical advice for spotting and avoiding an unworthy candidate for marriage.

In this episode we continue with Fr Doyle's "Blame No One But Yourself". We finish chapter 8.

In the book "Blame No One But Yourself" by Fr Charles Doyle, chapter 8 is a long one. This episode we go over the first half of the chapter. Fr Doyle writes, "In its broad sense heterosexuality means a healthy, normal, social adjustment to persons of the opposite sex, and it is in this sense that we use the word." He gives his opinion on why there can be disordered affection, and how to avoid it. He writes about the high esteem he has for friendship, and how good friendships lead to great marriages.

In this episode of "Blame No One But Yourself" by Fr Doyle, he says: "Keep this ever in mind. It was the very Son of God who came down on this earth to be the Way the Truth and the Life, who said, "If thou wilt enter into life, keep the Commandments."... and having done our best to give you sound reasons for developing and adhering to moral principles as laid down by God Himself... there remains but to treat of the matter of social graces. Fine manners are nothing less than little morals. they are the reflections of virtues, if not virtues themselves."

In this chapter of Blame No One But Yourself, Fr Doyle says, "If a teenager doesn't care whether what he wants to do is against the moral law or not; if he doesn't care whether what he wants to do is against the civil law or not; and finally, if he doesn't care what people say or think about his conduct, then such a person is headed for unhappiness here and hereafter. "

In this chapter of Blame No One But Yourself, Fr Doyle encourages the young person to complete their education, and to put sincere thought and effort into choosing a career. He says that young people have the duty to themselves, their parents, and their future spouse, to pursue a proper and fulfilling career. He spends the second half of the chapter detailing the importance of spiritual maturity and giving practical tips for encouraging and measuring spiritual growth.

The Johnson O’Connor Research Foundation still offers career and vocational aptitude tests (for a fee):

https://www.jocrf.org/

Alberta Learning information Services (for free career/vocational discernment:

https://alis.alberta.ca/

In this chapter of Blame No One But Yourself, Fr Doyle talks about the young person needing to achieve emotional independence, and spends the last half of the chapter on a list of 22 things the young person might do. "One final word to teeagers. Whatever you do, don't mistake license for liberty. Emotional freedom from parents does not imply in anyway release from home ties through uncontrolled indulgence of emotions and appetites. "

In ch 3 of BLAME NO ONE BUT YOURSELF, Fr Doyle sums up his chapter with the following:

Each bride and each groom brings a dowry to the marriage, a dowry made up of two individual personalities, each with it's own particular history and background. Each dowry is made up of the sum total of good or bad constitutional factors, good or bad environmental influences, good or bad habits, good or bad ideals and moral principles, good or bad religious background - in a word, the good or bad remote preparation for marriage. I beg of you, please do not treat such things as trifles.