Episode 2030: Embracing the Faith: Living Proudly as a Catholic by Detrich & Alice Von Hildebrand

Walter: Hello, and welcome to another episode of Catholic Reboot, where we explore the beauty and richness of the traditional Catholic faith. I'm your host, Walter, and joining me today is our co-host, Nancy.
Nancy: Hello, everyone. It's always a pleasure to dive into the depths of our faith with you, Walter.
Walter: Today, we have a special episode inspired by the profound insights of Detrich and Alice Von Hildebrand on the topic of being proud of our traditional Catholic faith and teaching it with love and conviction.
Nancy: Absolutely, Walter. The Von Hildebrand have left an indelible mark on the Catholic world with their writings, urging us to embrace our faith with humility and reverence. Do you mind if I provide just a high-level overview of who they were in case our listeners are not familiar with them?
Walter: Absolutely
Nancy: Dietrich von Hildebrand (1889–1977) and Alice von Hildebrand (1923–2020) were a prominent husband-and-wife duo known for their contributions to philosophy and theology.
34 years 88 years old /97 years old
Dietrich von Hildebrand was a German Catholic philosopher and theologian. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest philosophers of the 20th century. Von Hildebrand's work spans various fields including ethics, aesthetics, metaphysics, and the philosophy of religion. He was a fierce critic of Nazism and played a significant role in opposing Hitler's regime. Von Hildebrand's philosophical contributions have had a lasting impact on Catholic thought and broader philosophical discourse.
Alice von Hildebrand, originally from Belgium, was a philosopher in her own right. She was a Professor at Hunter College and taught outside the convenience of a Catholic University setting. Very brave indeed. She was known for her work in personalism and her efforts in promoting the philosophical legacy of her husband, Dietrich von Hildebrand, after his death. Alice von Hildebrand authored numerous books and articles on philosophy, theology, and culture. She also lectured widely and was a prominent voice within Catholic intellectual circles.
Together, Dietrich and Alice von Hildebrand made significant contributions to Catholic philosophy and theology, and their work continues to be studied and appreciated by scholars and students alike. Together they were a beautiful love story.
Walter: Very good, Nancy. Let's begin by exploring what it means to be proud of our traditional Catholic faith. Detrich Von Hildebrand once wrote, "To be proud of being a Catholic is no arrogance; it is a humble gratitude for God's greatest gift."
Nancy: That's such a beautiful perspective, Walter. In a world where traditional values are often questioned or even ridiculed, embracing our faith with pride can be seen as a radical act of love and devotion. Do you mind if I do a deeper dive on his statement "To be proud of being a Catholic is no arrogance; it is a humble gratitude for God's greatest gift."?
Walter: Absolutely
Nancy: Detrich Von Hildebrand's statement, "To be proud of being a Catholic is no arrogance; it is a humble gratitude for God's greatest gift," points to a profound Catholic perspective on pride and humility within the context of one's faith.
In Catholic theology, pride is often understood as a sin that leads to an exaggerated sense of self-importance and a lack of recognition of one's dependence on God. However, there is a crucial distinction between sinful pride, which exalts oneself above others and rejects God's authority, and a virtuous pride rooted in gratitude for God's gifts.
Von Hildebrand's statement emphasizes that being proud of one's Catholic identity is not about boasting or superiority over others. Instead, it is a recognition of the immense gift of faith bestowed upon us by God. It's an acknowledgment that the Catholic faith is a precious treasure, a source of grace and truth that enriches our lives and leads us closer to God.
Furthermore, this pride is infused with humility a recognition that we are unworthy recipients of God's grace and that our identity as Catholics is not something we have achieved through our own merit, but rather a gift freely given by God. It's an acknowledgment that our faith is not about us, but about God's love and mercy working in and through us.
Therefore, to be proud of being a Catholic is to approach our faith with a deep sense of gratitude and reverence, recognizing that it is God who sustains us on our spiritual journey and that our role is to humbly receive and share His love with others. It's a pride that leads to humility, service, and a profound desire to live out the teachings of Christ in our daily lives.
Walter: Absolutely, Nancy. And embracing our faith with pride doesn't mean looking down on others or being judgmental. Rather, it's about recognizing the immense gift we've been given and sharing that gift with others in a spirit of humility and love.
Nancy: That's so true, Walter. Our faith teaches us to love our neighbors as ourselves, regardless of their beliefs or backgrounds. It's through living out the teachings of Christ that we truly reflect the pride we have in our Catholic identity.
Walter: Precisely, Nancy. And as we embrace our faith with pride, we're also called to teach it with love and conviction. Alice Von Hildebrand once said, "It is not enough to be knowledgeable about the faith; we must be passionate about it, willing to defend it with every fiber of our being."
Nancy: Those words really resonate with me, Walter. In a world where moral relativism often reigns, it's more important than ever to stand firm in our beliefs and to share them with others with love and compassion. But let me dig deeper into that statement by Alice’s, "It is not enough to be knowledgeable about the faith; we must be passionate about it, willing to defend it with every fiber of our being," reflects a fundamental aspect of the Catholic faith: the call to embrace a deep and fervent commitment to the truth of Christ and His Church.
In the Catholic tradition, knowledge of the faith is indeed essential. Understanding the doctrines, teachings, and traditions of the Church provides a solid foundation for our spiritual lives and enables us to grow in our relationship with God. However, mere intellectual assent to these truths is not sufficient. True faith goes beyond mere knowledge; it requires a personal and passionate engagement with the truth of the Gospel.
Alice emphasizes the importance of being passionate about our faith. This passion arises from a profound love for God and a recognition of the beauty and truth found in His revelation through the Catholic Church. It is a fire within the soul that compels us to live out our faith with zeal and enthusiasm, inspiring others by our example.
Furthermore, this passion for the faith is intimately linked to a willingness to defend it. In a world that often challenges or undermines the teachings of the Church, Catholics are called to be courageous defenders of the truth. This defense is not rooted in arrogance or aggression but in a sincere desire to uphold the integrity of the faith and to protect others from error and confusion.
To defend the faith with every fiber of our being means to engage wholeheartedly in the spiritual battle for souls, using every resource at our disposal prayer, study, dialogue, and witness to proclaim and defend the truth of Christ. It requires courage, perseverance, and a willingness to endure hardship and opposition for the sake of the Gospel.
Ultimately, Alice’s words remind us that being a Catholic is not merely a matter of passive acceptance or intellectual curiosity. It is a dynamic and transformative journey of faith that requires us to be fully invested, passionately committed, and unwavering in our defense of the truth entrusted to us by Christ and His Church.
Walter: Absolutely, Nancy. Our faith isn't just a set of doctrines or rituals; it's a living relationship with a loving God who calls us to share His truth with the world. And that truth is a beacon of hope in a world darkened by sin and confusion.
Nancy: And when we teach the traditional Catholic faith with love and conviction, we're not imposing our beliefs on others, but rather inviting them into a deeper relationship with Christ and His mystical body the Catholic Church.
Walter: Exactly, Nancy. And it's through that relationship that lives are transformed, hearts are healed, and souls are saved. So let us embrace our faith with pride and teach it with love, knowing that we are vessels of God's grace in a world hungry for truth and meaning.
Do you mind if I pull in the great saints on this topic as well, as you know I always do?
There are many writings from the great saints of the Catholic tradition that align well with the sentiments expressed by Dietrich and Alice Von Hildebrand. Here are a few examples:
St. Augustine of Hippo: In his famous work "Confessions," St. Augustine writes extensively about the transformative power of God's grace and the profound gratitude we should feel as recipients of His mercy. He reflects on his own journey from a life of sin to conversion, highlighting the importance of humility and gratitude in the Christian life.
St. Thomas Aquinas: In his Summa Theologica, St. Thomas Aquinas explores the virtue of humility in depth, emphasizing its importance in the spiritual life. He teaches that humility is the foundation of all virtues and that it involves recognizing both our own limitations and the greatness of God's mercy towards us.
St. Teresa of Ávila: known for her mystical writings and profound spiritual insights, speaks of the importance of passionate love for God in the spiritual life. She emphasizes the need for fervent prayer and devotion, encouraging her readers to seek union with God with all their hearts.
St. Catherine of Siena: a Doctor of the Church, was known for her bold defense of the Catholic faith and her unwavering commitment to truth. In her letters and dialogues, she exhorts Christians to stand firm in their beliefs and to defend the Church against heresy and corruption.
St. Francis de Sales: in his spiritual classic "Introduction to the Devout Life," speaks of the importance of living out one's faith with passion and zeal. He encourages his readers to pursue holiness in every aspect of their lives and to be fervent in their love for God.
These saints, among many others, exemplify the virtues of humility, gratitude, passion, and defense of the faith that Dietrich and Alice Von Hildebrand spoke about. Their writings continue to inspire and guide Catholics in their journey of faith to this day.

Nancy: Amen, Walter. Thank you for allowing me to join you on this topic today. And as always, may God bless you abundantly. Let me end with a prayer?

Walter: Thank you, Nancy. And thank you to all our listeners. Until next time, stay faithful and be proud of your Catholic faith. God bless. Now go out and convert somebody!