Choose a topic from Part 1:

116. Fate

1. Fate in the sense of a rigid controlling powerover human actions, with its focus or seat in the stars, is notonly nonexistent, but impossible.

2. But sometimes the word fate is used for divineprovidence.

3. Fate as divine providence is a changeless rule, butthis does not mean fixity and mechanical necessity of events. As wehave noted elsewhere, providence does not interfere with free willitself, nor does it render meaningless the notion of contingenthappenings.

4. Fate as providence has reference to creatures andcreatural effects; it has no reference to the divine operations inthemselves.

"Whom do you seek, friend, if you seek not God? Seek him, find him, cleave to him; bind your will to his with bands of steel and you will live always at peace in this life and in the next."
St Alphonsus de Liguori

* * *

"God commands not impossibilities, but by commanding he suggests to you to do what you can, to ask for what is beyond your strength; and he helps you, that you may be able."
St Augustine

* * *

"Obedience is a short cut to perfection."
St Philip Neri

* * *