The faith of our fathers - Carmel Apologetics

232 THE FAITH OF OUR FATHERS."come more dear to God by being made conformable to the image of His 1Son,"ofthe most perfect mirror.whom MaryisTHEveneration of the imagesCHAPTER XV.SACRED IMAGES.of Christ and Hissaints is a cherished devotion in the CatholicChurch, and this practice will be vindicated in thefollowing lines.It is true, indeed, that the making of holy imageswas not so general among the Jews as it is amongus, because the Hebrews themselves were prone toidolatry, and because they were surrounded byidolatrous people who might misconstrue the purpose for which the images were intended. For thesame prudential reasons, the primitive Christianswere very cautious inmaking images, and verycircumspect in exposing them to the gaze of theheathen among whom they lived, lest Christianinmges should be confounded with Pagan idols.The catacombs of Rome, to which the faithfulalone were admitted, abounded, however, in sacredemblems and pious representations, which are preserved even to this day, and attest the practice ofthe early Christian Church. You could see therepainted on the walls, or on vases of glass, the Dove,the emblem of the Holy Ghost ;Christ carrying"Rom. viii. 29.