Pius XII on Natural Law

Pius XII and the Pilgrim Virgin

Today is First Saturday.

“The difficulties that arise in relation to natural law can be overcome..." - Cardinal Baldisserri

Natural Law is a big obstacle to many these days.  The quote above is one I see around on the more traditional blogs, voiced in concern over an impeding 'development of doctrine' or redefinition of natural law,to make allowances for divorce and remarriage, gay marriage and issues related to gender ideology.  These concern arise in reaction to the discussions taking place at the Vatican and elsewhere in preparation for the Synod on the Family coming up in October.  LGBTQ Catholics seem to have their fingers crossed that some change will be forthcoming as well, since many gay Catholics tend to reject traditional natural law arguments when it comes to same sex love and friendship.

Reading 20th century Popes other than St. John Paul II on marriage and family deepens one's understanding of Catholic teaching regarding commonplace errors we see all around us today.  Especially notable is the Encyclical of Pius XI, Casti Conubii, as well as some documents from the Holy Office at the time, addressing issues such as eugenics, contraception and abortion - in the 1930's.  Nazi-time, although eugenics was very alive in the United States as well.

Pius XII addressed the modern conspiracy to undermine natural law:  "The natural law is being nullified by detraction and neglect."

28. The present age, Venerable Brethren, by adding new errors to the doctrinal aberrations of the past, has pushed these to extremes which lead inevitably to a drift towards chaos. Before all else, it is certain that the radical and ultimate cause of the evils which We deplore in modern society is the denial and rejection of a universal norm of morality as well for individual and social life as for international relations; We mean the disregard, so common nowadays, and the forgetfulness of the natural law itself, which has its foundation in God, Almighty Creator and Father of all, supreme and absolute Lawgiver, all-wise and just Judge of human actions. When God is hated, every basis of morality is undermined; the voice of conscience is stilled or at any rate grows very faint, that voice which teaches even to the illiterate and to uncivilized tribes what is good and what is bad, what lawful, what forbidden, and makes men feel themselves responsible for their actions to a Supreme Judge.

29. The denial of the fundamentals of morality had its origin, in Europe, in the abandonment of that Christian teaching of which the Chair of Peter is the depository and exponent. That teaching had once given spiritual cohesion to a Europe which, educated, ennobled and civilized by the Cross, had reached such a degree of civil progress as to become the teacher of other peoples, of other continents. But, cut off from the infallible teaching authority of the Church, not a few separated brethren have gone so far as to overthrow the central dogma of Christianity, the Divinity of the Savior, and have hastened thereby the progress of spiritual decay. 

30. The Holy Gospel narrates that when Jesus was crucified "there was darkness over the whole earth" (Matthew xxvii. 45); a terrifying symbol of what happened and what still happens spiritually wherever incredulity, blind and proud of itself, has succeeded in excluding Christ from modern life, especially from public life, and has undermined faith in God as well as faith in Christ. The consequence is that the moral values by which in other times public and private conduct was gauged have fallen into disuse; and the much vaunted civilization of society, which has made ever more rapid progress, withdrawing man, the family and the State from the beneficent and regenerating effects of the idea of God and the teaching of the Church, has caused to reappear, in regions in which for many centuries shone the splendors of Christian civilization, in a manner ever clearer, ever more distinct, ever more distressing, the signs of a corrupt and corrupting paganism: "There was darkness when they crucified Jesus" (Roman Breviary, Good Friday, Response Five). - Pius XII

Amazing: "a corrupt and corrupting paganism"...*

Reading these documents one might believe they were composed in our day, but they are 75+ years old.  Pope Pius XII seems to me to have been especially prophetic in this statement:

24. But precisely because of this apocalyptic foresight of disaster, imminent and remote, We feel We have a duty to raise with still greater insistence the eyes and hearts of those in whom there yet remains good will to the One from Whom alone comes the salvation of the world - to One Whose almighty and merciful Hand can alone calm this tempest - to the One Whose truth and Whose love can enlighten the intellects and inflame the hearts of so great a section of mankind plunged in error, selfishness, strife and struggle, so as to give it a new orientation in the spirit of the Kingship of Christ. - Pius XII

I think we would do well to add a special intention to our prayers for the Synod that the Synod Fathers will seriously review the prophetic teaching of the pre-Conciliar Popes in their deliberations.

A bit off topic, but I wonder if the resistance to, and the delay in the cause of Pius XII has less to do with the Jewish controversy and more to do with his fidelity to Catholic doctrine and discipline?  What is most impressive about Pope Pius XII is that there was definitely 'no guile' in him - no ambiguity.  One didn't need someone to explain what he meant when he said something.


NB: Rather than reading pop-Catholic writers, try reading what the Church actually teaches.  One reference book I would like to recommend is The Sources of Catholic Dogma, Denzinger.  It's a handy one to have.  Likewise - study your Catechism.

*The influence of neo-paganism is indeed a "a corrupt and corrupting" influence in contemprary society/culture.  The Harry Potter generation seems to be hooked on it.

Spiritual but not religious - means non-binary.

Roger Bellen

Non-binary is queer.

Pretty much.  Earlier in the day I wrote a comment on my latest "What?" post:

It seems to me there is a gnostic strain at work in gender ideology - a sort of crypto-Catharism. It might be described more at 'spiritual - not religious' - which is why I tend to equate the multifaceted aspect of gender/identity with the Otherkin/Therian type spiritual movements. One gets the distinct impression from many of the discussions that it is a cocktail of neo-pagan/Theosophical/Hindu syncreticism. One needs to peel back the layers of language and dissimulation to expose the root of the phenomenon. - Me

And then ... and then ... someone sent me a book review from the Theosophical Order of Service on The Power of the New Spirituality by William Bloom.  'How really very queer', I thought.


So.  Here's a thought - from the review:

William Bloom who combines a long-standing interest in New Age approaches to spirituality with an identity focus in international relations1, has written

"We are in changing times. Our culture and technology are continually transforming, and the intellectual certainties of the last few hundred years are no longer secure…It is our need to find a new authenticity in our spiritual lives — to bring back fully into our consciousness — the sacred dimension of life, but we want to do this in a way that honours personal freedom and personal growth. In essence, then, we are turning to the teachings and experiences of what is called the ageless wisdom, but we are doing so with completely new attitudes."

A key element of our changing culture is that we are discarding old religious forms and re-creating our spiritual and sacred world. - Theosophical Order of Services

Isn't that uncanny?

I knew that!

H/T P

Why isn't the rest of the world celebrating July 4th?

They should be required to do so - especially nations with American troops and countries who receive aid from the United States.  We give them access to birth control and abortion, and now lend our support and encourage countries to promote gay rights and gay marriage - story here.  So, these countries should at least be encouraged to celebrate our Independence Day too.  Or else: No aid for you!

U.S. Imperialism at work.

Have a happy 4th of July.  Be careful when handling fireworks.  Don't drink and boat.  Play dance/trance music really loud.  (Or some classic remix.)

What?


Song for this post here.

What?

The Church has to do more for non-binary, otherkin, furries, therian, demonkin, trans-ethnic, androgynous, transgender, genderqueer, and neurodiverse people.

What's Your Truth?  That could be a new TV reality series.

Anyway.

Melinda Selmys has a new post, doing her best to exorcise The Unclean Spirit of Gender Ideology.

Devotion to the Holy Wounds

Sacred refuge of those afflicted 

with doubt and uncertainty,

have mercy on us.

+

Oh! Sacred Refuge, tender Side,

   Rent by the lance with cruel thrust,

There, where His Heart is, let me hide,

   There, where His love is, let me trust.

I press Thee to my lips in tears,

   With contrite sorrow, fervent sigh.

Most Holy Wound, allay my fears,

   Recieve my soul when death draws nigh.

Source

Our Lady of Piat

Nuestra Señora de Piat

Today is the feast of Our Lady of Piat.

Traditionally today had been the feast of The Visitation before the new calendar after Vatican II.  The day remains the feast of Our Lady of Piat for Filipinos however.  I love her image since she appears rather ethnic, don't you agree?  She mirrors those who seek the Divine Mercy through her intercession.  Think of that when you invoke her as "Mirror of Justice" in the Litany of Loreto.  She in turn gently mirrors to us the Divine Justice, that we may not run away in fear.

A saint said we can never love the Blessed Virgin too much.  We should always have recourse to her, even when we are away from the Church or the sacraments.  Anthony Bloom told a lovely story of a prostitute who always kept an icon with a candle burning in her room - even when she was 'working'.

We can do that too - even though we live in sin.

I used to do bad things and still wore my scapular.  I actually prayed the rosary even when I fell back into promiscuous behavior.  One night, coming home very late, I stopped to pray in the adoration chapel of a church, wreaking of alcohol, I'm sure.  It has always been Our Lady who obtained for me the grace to return to Jesus.

It is Our Lady who always gave me the grace to return to confession.  Once, late in the evening, close to 10 PM, I stopped in a church, asking Our Lady to let me find a priest to make my confession.  It was an ordinary week day - not even the Thursday before a First Friday.  The old pastor was in his confessional - I made my confession.  Later another priest told me he probably forgot what day it was or had fallen asleep there earlier.  It didn't matter to me - Our Lady got me there.

We can only become saints if we keep trying, and asking the Blessed Virgin to intercede for us.  She is the Refuge of Sinners - that is why sinners flock to her shrines and venerate her images and carry her sacramentals, and pray the three Hail Mary's every morning and evening.

Sins against the 6th Commandment are serious, but turning away from Our Lord and Our Lady is worse - such sins lead to final impenitence.  Pray.  never stop praying.

Pray the rosary, even when you sin or intend to commit sin.

I used to pray the rosary on the way out to my destination, and on my way back.

Imagine the evil I could have done if I had never prayed?

It seems a contradiction, even hypocrisy - for a wicked sinner to pray - but it is not.


Our Lady is Refuge of sinners, Health of the sick, Mother of Mercy... She is our merciful Mother.

Factions actually serve a purpose ...

NYC Franciscan Church of St. Francis

Michael Voris has an interesting

"Special Report" on the 

Pre-Pride Mass celebrated

there last weekend, 

go here.

"First of all, I hear that when you meet as a church there are divisions among you ...

Indeed, there have to be factions among you, for only so will it become clear who among you are genuine." - 1 Corinthians 11:19

Another translation has it:

There have to be factions among you in order that (also) those who are approved among you may become known. - USCCB

Pope Francis told people to "go out and make a mess" - the Holy Father has certainly done so.  Once again in this case, looks to me that Michael Voris is only doing his bit to help.

Works for me.


Links on the Voris POV:

Confusion - The smoke of Satan.

All are not welcome.

Michael Voris is not welcome.

How can Christian Leaders insist that Islam and Christianity share a common heritage?

The new era of Jihad.

We hear it all of the time ...

Meanwhile, back in the real world, Christians are being butchered by the hundreds and thousands by their “partners in faith.” As Islamic terrorism spreads across the globe, Church leaders might want to reconsider the common-ground-with-Islam policy that has been in place since Vatican II. It’s one thing to affirm the common humanity shared by Christians and Muslims; it’s another thing altogether to assert that they share a common belief system—as in “Living Our Faith Together.” - Read the entire article here.

Pray the rosary every day.

Archbishop Weakland - a man abandoned.

Where are his friends?

Archbishop Weakland lives alone in an apartment in Milwaukee, evidently shunned.  News that his home, St. Vincent Archabbey in Latrobe, Pennsylvania has turned down his request to return.  It is the second abbey to do so.  The story here.

Where are his supporters?  Where are those he protected?  Where are gay people?  Weakland came out - is there no one among his friends to support him?  No honor amongst them?

They say "it gets better"?  I don't think it does.

It seems rather sad.

At least he has his memorial in Milwaukee's Cathedral.

We know how long these things last...

H/T Fr. Z

Devotion to the Most Precious Blood of Jesus

Today is the Feast of the Precious Blood.

It was a favorite devotion of St. John XXIII, who approved and promulgated the Litany of the Precious Blood and issued an Apostolic Letter on Devotion to the Precious Blood in 1960.

The Church's wonderful advances in liturgical piety match the progress of faith itself in penetrating divine truth. Within this development it is most heart-warming to observe how often in recent centuries this Holy See has openly approved and furthered the three devotions just mentioned. From the Middle Ages, it is true, many pious persons practiced these devotions, which then spread to various dioceses and religious orders and congregations. Nevertheless it remained for the Chair of Peter to pronounce them orthodox and approve them for the Church as a whole. _ St. John XXIII

St. John XXIII, pray for us!

Is it okay for Catholic parishes to participate in Gay Pride events?

It hasn't been - until now - depending on which city you live in.

They call it outreach to the LGBTQ community.  Really?  Quoting Ru Paul, I say "What community?"

I wasn't aware of the fact the Franciscans of Holy Name Province at St. Anthony Shrine in Boston set up a booth at Boston Pride... with a banner "Who am I to judge?"

That's not what Pride is about.

Pride began as a political movement, latching onto the Civil Rights/Feminist movement.  Participation at these public events suggests - indeed, symbolizes - approval and support of the Gay movement and all that it entails.

Everyone who lives in Boston knows where St. Anthony's shrine is.  The friars are already in the heart of the city, they already minister on the existential peripheries.  Supporting Gay Pride is not what I would call compassionate pastoral ministry.

"The Church's ministers must ensure that homosexual persons in their care will not be misled..."

Nevertheless, increasing numbers of people today, even within the Church, are bringing enormous pressure to bear on the Church to accept the homosexual condition as though it were not disordered and to condone homosexual activity. Those within the Church who argue in this fashion often have close ties with those with similar views outside it. These latter groups are guided by a vision opposed to the truth about the human person, which is fully disclosed in the mystery of Christ. They reflect, even if not entirely consciously, a materialistic ideology which denies the transcendent nature of the human person as well as the supernatural vocation of every individual.

The Church's ministers must ensure that homosexual persons in their care will not be misled by this point of view, so profoundly opposed to the teaching of the Church. But the risk is great and there are many who seek to create confusion regarding the Church's position, and then to use that confusion to their own advantage.

9. The movement within the Church, which takes the form of pressure groups of various names and sizes, attempts to give the impression that it represents all homosexual persons who are Catholics. As a matter of fact, its membership is by and large restricted to those who either ignore the teaching of the Church or seek somehow to undermine it. It brings together under the aegis of Catholicism homosexual persons who have no intention of abandoning their homosexual behaviour. One tactic used is to protest that any and all criticism of or reservations about homosexual people, their activity and lifestyle, are simply diverse forms of unjust discrimination.

There is an effort in some countries to manipulate the Church by gaining the often well-intentioned support of her pastors with a view to changing civil-statutes and laws. This is done in order to conform to these pressure groups' concept that homosexuality is at least a completely harmless, if not an entirely good, thing. Even when the practice of homosexuality may seriously threaten the lives and well-being of a large number of people, its advocates remain undeterred and refuse to consider the magnitude of the risks involved. - Letter to Bishops, CDF

Yeah, but!  It's pastoral care, pastoral outreach.

The Catechism says gay people "must be accepted with respect, compassion, and sensitivity. Every sign of unjust discrimination in their regard should be avoided."  

That's right Poodle.  It doesn't say a thing about marching in parades and promoting gay as good and/or as equal to heterosexuality.  When you buy into LGBTQ you buy into the whole package.  It's heretical and immoral, and it's a millstone around your neck.

"Departure from the Church's teaching, or silence about it, in an effort to provide pastoral care is neither caring nor pastoral."

15. We encourage the Bishops, then, to provide pastoral care in full accord with the teaching of the Church for homosexual persons of their dioceses. No authentic pastoral programme will include organizations in which homosexual persons associate with each other without clearly stating that homosexual activity is immoral. A truly pastoral approach will appreciate the need for homosexual persons to avoid the near occasions of sin. We would heartily encourage programmes where these dangers are avoided. But we wish to make it clear that departure from the Church's teaching, or silence about it, in an effort to provide pastoral care is neither caring nor pastoral. Only what is true can ultimately be pastoral. The neglect of the Church's position prevents homosexual men and women from receiving the care they need and deserve. - Letter to Bishops*

* Incidentally, the CDF Letter to the Bishops of the Catholic Church on the Pastoral Care of Homosexuals was composed by the future Pope Benedict XVI, who never added or detracted from it during his papacy - nor has the current CDF or Pope Francis repudiated it.  Likewise, St. John Paul II authorized and signed off on it.  Though often overlooked and ignored - if not derided - it remains a definitive document on the pastoral care of homosexual persons.

Boston Pride mocking Catholic nuns.

source

My First Confessional - trashed.

I knelt on the left side, closest to the vestibule.

Fr. Francis Roach was my confessor.

I made my First Confession and First Communion in the Church of St. John on the east side of St. Paul, Minnesota.  That was when it was Catholic - today it is being transformed into a mosque.  The confessional is shown above.  The photo below is where the confessional ended up.

Confessional in a dumpster.

Photo credit.

Church decor and furnishings were added over the years, often funded by donors as memorials - in perpetuity - for the deceased.  Fund raisers were held, as were fund drives and second collections, to furnish and maintain the church.  Catholics have always been particularly generous to the Church and Her pastors.  After Vatican II, many pastors and priest-liturgical-consultants ripped out beautiful altars and communion rails, white-washed polychromed interiors, removed paintings and statues, virtually destroying Catholic sanctuaries.  The Protestant reformers did the exact same things.  Later the Soviets destroyed churches and icons.  Today Islamic radicals burn Catholic churches and slaughter Christians.

The Archdiocese dismantled St. John's and sold it to Muslims - to be used as a mosque.


Watch your donations.

This is interesting ... Fukushima ... fire in the atmosphere.

Nagasaki, June 1949

Fukushima Update:*

According to the Secretary of former Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan, the ground beneath Unit 4 has already sunk by about 31.5 inches since the disaster, and this sinking has taken place unevenly. If the ground continues to sink, which it is expected to, or if another earthquake of even as low as a magnitude six occurs in the region, the entire structure could collapse, which would fully drain the cooling pool and cause a catastrophic meltdown. 

“If Unit 4 collapses, the worse case scenario will be a meltdown, and a resultant fire in the atmosphere. That will be the most unprecedented crisis that man has ever experienced. Nobody will be able to approach the plants … as all will have melted down and caused a big fire,” said Murata during the interview. “Many scientists say if Unit 4 collapses, not only will Japan lie in ruin, but the entire world will also face serious damages.” - Source

I was reminded of the words of Our Lady at Akita: 

"As I told you, if men do not repent and better themselves, the Father will inflict a terrible punishment on all humanity. It will be a punishment greater than the deluge, such as one will never have seen before. Fire will fall from the sky and will wipe out a great part of humanity, the good as well as the bad, sparing neither priests nor faithful. The survivors will find themselves so desolate that they will envy the dead. The only arms which will remain for you will be the Rosary and the Sign left by my Son." - October 13, 1973

Miracle of the Sun, Fatima, October 13, 1917

*The article is from 2012.  Newer updates here.

Prophecy alert! Something is going to happen this week.

Something big.

Praying with the Ethiopians again

This morning there were two young women in their white shämma over their regular clothes on the steps of the church across the street; one standing, her head bent against one of the doors, the other on a lower step, slightly bent with her one hand on the wall of the church.  I bowed, thinking the Eucharistic prayer was being said.  Another man came up and did three prostrations, removed his shoes, and entered.  In a short time, the two young women left.  I wondered if they were penitents, because they never went in.  Another young man came and knelt down on the steps, kissed the threshold, and prayed bowed over for awhile, and then left.

I thought of Mary of Egypt, praying outside the church in Jerusalem - it was outside the church, making her reverences to the icon of Our Lady, that her conversion was effected.  The people today - as on every weekend, make profound reverent bows, even before entering the church.  It reminds me of the psalm: "I rejoiced when I heard them say - let us go to God's house!  Even now our feet are standing withing your gates!"  And the other psalm, "even the sparrow herself finds a home... one day within your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere.  I would rather lie abject on the threshold of the house of God than dwell in the tents of the wicked ..."

My heart overflows with a goodly theme .

I began my morning prayer so deeply recollected ...  It is like having a tabernacle with the Blessed Sacrament right across the street from me.

Later in the day I tried to find out more about them.  Sadly, from what I came across online, there seems to be division among Ethiopian Orthodox as well.  I decided not to look too closely, to simply pray with them and for them and allow myself to be edified by the good I see.

I will try to do that with our Church as well - hoping the Catholic Church restores greater reverence for the Eucharist.  One thing the Ethiopians have is great reverence for the House of God and the Mass.  Those who do not go in may not be able to - for some reason - they do not claim a right to enter, they do not claim a right to receive communion - yet they come and pray.  They seem to have great faith.

I continue my prayer - with them and for them - and for us.

Pride - I'm against it.

Not the place for evangelization.

I was looking for some photos to illustrate Pride festivities in Minneapolis and many were more than a bit salacious - the Pride photos in general - not just those from Minneapolis.  As a culture I know we are fairly accustomed to near nudity and provocative clothing or the lack there of - but the Pride festivals always bring out the slutty side of gay life.  This despite the efforts of gay activists and NGOs to clean up the gay image and Stepfordize the gay family-unit for export to nations around the world.  Part of the new U.S. Gay imperialism, so to speak. (See: President Barack Obama has taken the U.S. gay rights revolution global, using American embassies across the world to promote a cause that still divides his own country.)

People can disagree with me all they want, homosexual acts - flaunting it and promoting it - is sinful and scandalous.  Standing on a flatbed truck in a parade, pulling your Speedo down to just above your junk is flaunting it.  Kids are invited to attend pride events, including the parade with their straight or gay parents, are exposed to such simulated sexual acts - that is scandalous.  Scandal incites others to sin - that is why it is called scandal.

Gay Pride parades always kick the domestication of gay back about 20 years or more.  Every year, all the progress gay people claim to have made, insisting gay is good and wholesome and suitable for equality, gets set back - .  The facade cracks a little bit more.  By the time it collapses, it will be too late.

Evangelists sometimes hand out Gospel tracts at these events - I don't think it's the right time or place for that.  Before or after maybe - not during.

The Franciscan pre-Pride Masses.

I was aware of these events and last week checked the websites of the Franciscans who have what is called an LGBT Outreach.  Franciscans have always ministered among the marginalized.  I checked St. Francis of Assisi in Manhattan, as well as St. Anthony's Shrine in Boston.  I didn't see support or participation in favor of the gay lifestyle.  I expected there must be more to that story.  Catholic in Brooklyn attended the Mass and checked it out for herself.  She went to St. Francis and saw no gay pride support whatsoever.  Please read her post - I just wanted to share this part however:

This "Pre Pride Mass" was not in any sense of the word a "pep rally for the Gay Pride orgy that will occur in NYC soon thereafter" as claimed by DC Restore or any of the other Trad websites and blogs. It was just as the Church of St. Francis of Assisi said it was: a call to salvation in Jesus Christ, or as they put it on their website as pictured above, "God loves all people and calls us all into His family!"


Our culture and almost the whole world have come to view homosexuality as a completely normal and acceptable way of life. It was not as necessary in past generations for large ministries to homosexuals because society did a lot of our work for us in that homosexuality was condemned. But now that this lifestyle is accepted in our culture, the Church must respond to this and do so with true Christian charity. Yelling at people and telling them they're all rotten sinners headed to hell will only turn them away and drive them deeper into their sin. The Church must be a warm embracing family, always rejecting the sin, but never the sinner, just as Our Lord showed us in the love He showed towards all people. - Catholic in Brooklyn

Thanks be to God.

As I said, I'm against Gay Pride.  The other day I wrote:  Religious groups and churches which support Pride, neither serve God nor the people they seek to minister to.  I stand by that.  When I wrote it I was writing about the local Episcopal Cathedral which not only supports the festival but participates.  I do not see that happening with the Franciscans of Boston or NYC.

Smelling like his sheep.

Recall Pope Francis said the priest should smell like his sheep?  Franciscans smell like their sheep.  The priest at St. Francis of Assisi reminded listeners of that notion in his 'Pre-Pride' Mass:

Sheep are docile, dimwitted and dirty. And my dear friends, so are we. This is why I love the sheep metaphor. It actually describes us well. Sheep stink! Sheep have all sorts of grubby little things clinging to them. And sheep routinely lose their way. On their own they wander off, they get lost, and eventually they fall victim to some predator. Outside of the sheepfold, their future is bleak. Alone, they will not survive long. Like them, in order for us to thrive, we need to be part of a community. If we're excluded from the community, we will not do well. And more importantly and sadly, if we are pushed away from the sheepfold, it would appear that the shepherds are not doing a very good job. - Catholic in Brooklyn

The Franciscans in Boston and NYC have confessions nearly all day long, every day I think.  At least they used to.  Frequent confession is important - it eradicates pride.

SS. Peter and Paul