Show 162: Oaths and Vows

Description

THE EXTRAORDINARY WORSHIP OF GOD
We can, moreover, honor God by taking an oath or by making a vow.

To swear or take an oath is to call God to witness that one is speaking the truth, or that one will keep a promise.
Christians are not obliged to refuse to take an oath, for it is permitted by God, and pleasing in His sight.
We ought therefore to make use of an oath only when it is absolutely necessary, with deliberation, and in the interests of truth and justice.
He who swears falsely, commits a grave act of blasphemy, and draws down upon himself the curse of God and the penalty of eternal perdition.

The Vow (Solemn Promise).

A vow is a promise voluntarily made to God, to perform some good action.
The most important vows are the religious vows, that is to say the solemn promise made voluntarily by persons entering a religious Order, to follow the evangelical counsels.
A vow renders the good action which we pledge ourselves to perform more acceptable to God. Consequently by means of a vow we obtain a more speedy answer to prayer, and make more rapid progress in the way of perfection.
He who does not keep a solemn promise, offends against God; and so does he who needlessly postpones the fulfilment of his promise (Exod. xxiii. 21).
Therefore any one who is desirous of taking a vow, ought to consider well beforehand whether he will be able to keep his word.
A Religious who finds himself unable to keep his vows must apply to his Superior to be released from them or have them commuted.