A Study Guide to Humanae Vitae

Written by the Priests and Pastoral Associates of Priests for Life

This study guide is based on the Vatican Translation of Humanae Vitae

Table of Contents:

Forward

Introduction to the Study Guide

Summary of the Introduction to the Encyclical and Section I: New Aspects of the Problem and Competency of the Magisterium

A Summary of Section II. Doctrinal Principles

Summary of Section III. Pastoral Directives 

Essay: Finding Our Way Back Home

Essay: Life, Purity and Humanae Vitae

Essay: The Transmission of Life -- On Whose Terms?

The Contraception of Grief: A Personal Testimony

Glossary of Terms

Foreword

A Study Guide to Humanae Vitae

Fr. Frank Pavone, National Director, Priests for Life

Forty years is not a long time in Church history. Indeed, we are still living in the moment of Humanae Vitae (issued on July 25, 1968), and of the challenge it presents to the world.

Humanae Vitae does not identify the key problem of our day in the realm of sex or birth or "the pill," but rather in the myth that we can be God. Pope Paul writes at the beginning of the document, "But the most remarkable development of all is to be seen in man's stupendous progress in the domination and rational organization of the forces of nature to the point that he is endeavoring to extend this control over every aspect of his own life -- over his body, over his mind and emotions, over his social life, and even over the laws that regulate the transmission of life” (n.2).

The Pope here is painting a wider vision of the problem. We think everything belongs to us, but the reality is that we belong to God. "Humanae Vitae" means "Of human life." Human life came from God, belongs to God, and goes back to God. "You are not your own," St. Paul declares. "You have been bought, and at a price" (1 Cor. 6:19-20). Sex and having children are aspects of a whole cluster of realities that make up our lives and activities. We suffer from the illusion that all of these activities belong to us. “This is my life, my body, my choice.

The problem we face is not that our society is obsessed with sex. Rather, it is afraid of it-- afraid of the total reality and power of what it represents, where it comes from, and where it leads. Sex properly understood requires that we acknowledge God who made it. More than that, sex can never be separated from its purpose: to insert us into this immense, powerful movement of life and love that started when God said "Let there be light" (Genesis 1:3) and culminates when the Spirit and the Bride say "Come, Lord Jesus!" (Revelation 22:17).

Sexual activity means so much that it is wrong to diminish its message or deny its full reality: it belongs in the context of committed love (sealed by marriage) and openness to life precisely because this is the only context great enough to hold its message and reflect the greater reality to which the gift of sexuality points us and to which it commits us.

This is a reality that is bigger than all of us. It is the self-giving which starts in the Trinity, and is revealed in a startling way on the Cross, and then challenges each of us in our daily interaction with others, with God, and with our own eternal destiny. It is so real and so big that it is scary. That's why so many today are afraid of the full reality and meaning of sex. That's why Pope Paul VI wrote Humanae Vitae.

That is also why our Priests for Life pastoral team wrote this Study Guide. We have also established a special website, www.HumanaeVitae40.com, to promote the teachings of this document. It is our daily prayer that this effort will lead many believers to understand, embrace, and proclaim the beautiful truth of human life. 

INTRODUCTION TO THE STUDY GUIDE

James J. Pinto, Jr., M.E.V.Editor: A Study Guide to Humanae Vitae 

This Study Guide will be most effective if one first thoroughly familiarizes himself with its content and layout. Review the table of contents and the location of each section listed. The Study Guide is to be used by an individual or group as a side by side companion with the text  of Humanae Vitae included in this booklet. The three Essays offer unique insight with questions for further discussion. The Contraception of Grief: A Personal Testimony presents a riveting and practical witness to why Humanae Vitae is the wholesome truth.

The Glossary assists the reader in clarifying some key terms contained in the Encyclical. Glossary terms are listed by the number/paragraph in which they first appear. The terms will be marked with an *asterisk in the Humanae Vitae text as a note to the reader that the term is contained in the Glossary. 

After reading Fr. Pavone’s Foreword one should read the Summary of the Introduction and Section I, followed by the reading of the Introduction and Section I. of Humanae Vitae itself. After completing the Introduction and Section I. of Humanae Vitae; the reader answers the series of questions below the Summary of the Introduction and Section I.  The sequence followed for the Introduction and Section I is repeated for each following section: Reading the Study Guide Section Summary, reading of the corresponding Encyclical section itself and returning to the Study Guide questions for that particular section. The questions are meant to refer the reader back to particular paragraphs/numbers (n.or n.n.) of that section where he/she will find the answers. One may work on the answers to these questions while reading the paragraph/number, or, wait until he/she has read the entire section and then complete the answers. Continual returning to the text of the encyclical helps emphasize that the document itself is the primary source of instruction and the basis for individual and group applications. 

The three Essays have several questions at their conclusion to help foster reflection and discussion. A personal witness to the truth and wisdom of Humanae Vitae is presented in The Contraception of Grief: A Personal Testimony. 

This Study Guide is meant to be a “springboard” to delve more deeply into Humanae Vitae and its themes, in order to stimulate reflection, and a lifestyle of holiness. 

For those considering the possibility of facilitating a study group, this study guide lends itself to a discussion study group method of learning. While a leader/facilitator encourages the group and keeps it “on track”, it is the individual sharing and group dynamic that contribute most to the learning process. The facilitator is not a lecturer, neither is he there to give all the answers. The facilitator seeks to shepherd the group learning process and does everything possible to solicit their contributions. Members interact and learn from everyone, including the facilitator. A Facilitator’s Guide is available through Priests for Life at www.HumanaeVitae40.com. The Facilitator’s Guide seeks to assist you in leading a group and lays out suggested study sessions.

It is our hope, that on the fortieth anniversary of Humanae Vitae, this study guide will assist in promoting the Church’s clear and authoritative word on transmitting human life. May all who hear this true, prophetic and lovely word be assured that: the Church has always issued appropriate documents on the nature of marriage, the correct use of conjugal rights, and the duties of spouses. These documents have been more copious in recent times. (n.4)

Areas of Study

Accounting involves the examination, organization, management and design of accurate recording and reporting procedures of financial and business transactions. Some major specializations include public accounting, tax accounting, cost accounting, government accounting, budget accounting and internal auditing.

Finance focuses on all aspects of money management, such as investment, collection, disbursement, borrowing, and fund-raising. These individuals prepare financial reports needed to conduct operations and to satisfy tax and regulatory requirements. Finance graduates also oversee the flow of cash and investments and develop information to assess the present and future financial status of an organization.

Leadership and Management focuses on the areas of negotiations, cross-cultural management, international trade, and other issues occurring in the global environment.

This major is intended to develop analytical and information management skills that are useful in business as well as in public administration. Students will develop an ability to analyze quantitatively complex business situations and manage information systems.

The rapid growth of the use of the computer within organizations has created strong and growing demand for information technology professionals trained in all aspects of computer usage. Virtually all organizations make extensive use of computers, and the employment market for students with combined business and information systems training is expected to continue to experience major growth over the next decade and beyond.

Marketing is a broad area with many career opportunities. This concentration helps students to develop skills that enable them to function in many different marketing roles while working closely and effectively with other business functions. This program provides high quality education for marketing major at an affordable expense and allows students to access the exciting job market in the NY, NJ and CT tri-state area.

This is a newly-established undergraduate program for the Rutgers Newark and New Brunswick campuses. It focuses on the areas of strategic sourcing, procurement management, logistics, quality management, and supply chain technologies. This program has a strong corporate sponsorship that provides excellent intern and job placement opportunities, as well as scholarships in the form of honors track.

Social media not the best source for anxiety information and help, FIU study says

MIAMI — A new study from Florida International University suggests that the more frequently people looked for information about anxiety on social media, the less knowledgeable they became about it and may also be unable to tell the difference between good and bad anxiety management strategies.

The research, led by FIU Center for Children and Families (CCF) professor Jeremy Pettit and Ph.D. student Rebecca Wolenski, found that only 18% of young adults (18-28) reported that most of the accounts associated with anxiety information they followed were run by health professionals. The study concluded that young adults are often seeking and finding information from uninformed sources, resulting in misinformation about how to deal with anxiety.

The research team surveyed 250 young adults between 18 and 28 years old about where they find information about anxiety, how much they know about the mental health issue and what strategies they use to cope with it. They also asked about their current and past experiences with anxiety.

According to the study, social media as a source was associated with lower knowledge about anxiety, which meant the more frequently people used social media to find answers, the less knowledgeable they become.

"We speculate people are accessing inaccurate information about anxiety on social media, resulting in low knowledge," the study stated.

As social media contains vast amounts of information, identifying which information is credible can be challenging. The study's data indicated that young adults may not be able to identify the difference between reputable sources (i.e. mental health professionals) and unreputable sources (i.e. celebrities).

"This suggests young adults are often seeking and receiving information about anxiety from uninformed sources, which could result in misinformation about how to deal with anxiety," the study stated.

The study called for greater visibility of mental health professionals on social.

"The demand for information exists," the study stated. "That demand is largely being met by people who lack adequate expertise."

The study also found that people who used social media as a source were more likely to use both adaptive and maladaptive coping strategies.

Adaptive strategies, such as seeking support or positive reframing, can reduce anxiety. However, maladaptive strategies like avoidance or escaping anxious thoughts and feelings may prolong or even increase anxiety, the study stated.

"From our findings, it seems people are trying multiple strategies to manage their anxiety based on what they find on social media," the study stated. "Some of these strategies are helpful. Others are not. Again, this suggests social media users may be unable to discriminate good versus bad strategies for managing anxiety."

All digital platforms provide almost unlimited information and because of this, consumers need to be careful about where to look for mental health information, the study stated.

"Our findings suggest people are more likely to find accurate information on the internet than social media, but even on the internet there is tremendous variability in quality of information," the study stated.

What is clear is that the study showed there is a strong interest in the topic of mental health among young adults.

"To truly benefit those suffering with anxiety, health professionals both making and promoting social media accounts with evidence-based information might improve the spread of accurate information," the study stated.

The study also stated that people who have questions about anxiety and other mental health issues would be better served by consulting websites such as the American Psychological Association, American Psychiatric Association and National Institute of Mental Health.

The CBS Miami team is a group of experienced journalists who bring you the content on CBSMiami.com.