This is amazing: Catholics do not understand Motu Proprio “Maiorem hac dilectionem”?

Cardinal, Francis Xavier Van Thuan

may be another example 

of 'the offering of life'.

A few Catholics online seem to be questioning the new Motu Proprio.

It's fine to question, to delve into the reasons for it, but as a Catholic, it doesn't seem to be a great mystery to me.   I don't understand why Catholics online are so sceptical.  (It reminds me of those who reject the notion that as Pope, JPII could add five new decades of the rosary.)  Maybe the skeptics aren't cradle Catholics?  Maybe they don't really understand mystical theology?  Maybe it's the influence of Protestant teaching on One Mediator and so on; even though, as we read St. Paul's testimony in his own case, he clearly embraced, and even rejoiced in his sufferings, declaring, "in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ on behalf of his body, which is the church."

FYI on the motu proprio from Zenit:

Pope Francis opened the possibility of a new way for the processes of Beatification and Canonization: “the offering of life,” which is added to the martyrdom and heroic virtues. Here is our complete translation of the Apostolic Letter in the form of the Motu Proprio “maiorem hac dilectionem,” published on this matter on July 11, 2017. - Text here.

It seems to me the new consideration in the process of beatification is not all that 'new', since there are saints who have exemplified this aspect of a total gift of self who have already been canonized.  I'm thinking of Edith Stein, Maximillian Kolbe, and so on.  Perhaps the Trappist Martyrs of Atlas would also fit this category?  And certainly Cardinal, Francis Xavier Van Thuan.

I may be wrong on the victim soul thing, but ...

However, it seems to me "maiorem hac dilectionem" may also open the way for so-called victim souls.  I'm not sure, but the 20th Century seemed to have plenty of them.  Adrienne von Speyr, Maria Sieler, Consolata Betrone, and Josepha Menedez immediately come to mind as holy souls who made a heroic offering of their lives as victim souls.  Never forget, the saints are not canonized for their spiritual gifts, such as stigmata, but for heroic virtue.  The women mentioned made the heroic offering of their lives for the sake of souls, especially priests, and so on.  It has traditionally been understood as 'white martyrdom'.  In that respect, I would think countless Carmelites and Poor Clares could be considered for beatification.

It is terribly important to understand the vocation of victim souls and those who make 'a heroic offering of charity' - specifically the theological and mystical definition.  To help in this, I reprint something from another post I did on a similar topic.  It's reprinted from the comment box of the post and is from Jordan Aumann, OP:

Offering Oneself as Victim. 

It would seem that it is impossible to go further in love of the Cross than to prefer sorrow to pleasure. Nevertheless, there is still another more perfect degree in the love of suffering: the act of offering oneself as a victim of expiation for the sin"s of the world. At the very outset, we must insist that this sublime act is completely above the ordinary way of grace. It would be a terrible presumption for a beginner or an imperfectly purified soul to place itself in this state. "To be called a victim is easy and it pleases self-love, but truly to be a victim demands a purity, a detachment from creatures, and a heroic abandonment to all kinds of suffering, to humiliation, to ineffable obscurity, that I would consider it either foolish or miraculous if one who is at the beginning of the spiritual life should attempt to do that which the divine Master did not do except by degrees." (14)

The theological basis of offering oneself as a victim of expiation for the salvation of souls or for any other supernatural motive such as reparation for the glory of God, liberating the souls in purgatory, attracting the divine mercy to the Church, the priesthood, one's country, or a particular soul, is the supernatural solidarity established by God among the members of the Mystical Body of Christ, whether actual or potential. Presupposing the solidarity in Christ that is common to all Christians, God selects certain holy souls, and particularly those who have offered themselves knowingly for this work, so that by their merits and sacrifices they may contribute to the application of the merits of the redemption by Christ. A typical example of this can be found in St. Catherine of Siena, whose most ardent desire was to give her life for the Church. "The only cause of my death," said the saint, "is my zeal for the Church of God, which devours and consumes me. Accept, O Lord, the sacrifices of my life for the Mystical Body of thy holy Church." She was also a victim soul for particular individuals. Other examples of victim souls are St. Thérèse of Lisieux, St. Gemma Galgani, and Sister Elizabeth of the Trinity.

In practice, the offering of oneself as a victim for souls should never be permitted except to souls of whom the Holy Spirit asks it with a persistent and irresistible motion of grace. It should be noted that, rather than contributing to the sanctification of the individual (although it does add something), this particular act is ordained to the spiritual benefit of others. The soul that would give itself in this way for the salvation of others must itself be intimately united with God and must have traveled a long way toward its own perfection in charity. It must be a soul well schooled in suffering and even have a thirst for suffering. Under these conditions the spiritual director could prudently permit a soul to make this oblation of self as a victim soul. Then, if God accepts the offering, the soul can become a faithful reproduction of the divine Martyr of Calvary. - Jordan Aumann, OP

Thinking with the Church.

It seems to me the problem of accepting anything from the Vatican these days is because people have been confused by what is reported and what is taught.  Some are mistrustful because "ambiguity seems deliberately written into documents" even though they read their own fears and suspicions into the so-called tainted documents.  They make snap judgments based on "a quick reading" adding fuel to conspiracy theories regarding papal teachings.  The lack of study into criteria for canonization, or understanding the reason so called 'ordinary souls' are elevated to the altars, as well as a lack of sound Catholic training in mystical theology, may account for their own confusion.  Criteria for canonization in Orthodox churches differs from out own, just as their lack of acceptance of Roman Catholic proclamations concerning the Virgin Mary, not to mention the Christological differences with the Copts especially.

It's a shame how Catholics can wreak such confusion by what they post online.  The fake interview comments by former CDF Cardinal Mueller and the rumors of a commission to redo Humanae Vitae are clear examples of the misinformation generated on social media by those who distrust Pope Francis.  

Having said all of that, the criteria for beatification and canonization still includes the necessity of a posthumous miracle for each step; beatification, canonization.  (So don't worry about Bill Gates getting canonized.)  Likewise, veneration of the saints takes nothing away from Christ but adds to it.  People need to go back to thinking like a Catholic - not just worrying about some arcane outward identity.  If you think like a Catholic, you think and act with the Church, One Holy and Apostolic.  If you want to be Russian Orthodox, Greek or Copt, or you want to be Anglican - do that.  If you want to be Catholic - think and act in accord with the Church.

* * *

Update: I just noted Fr. Z has an excellent post on heroic virtue and ordinary virtue as it fits into the process for canonization.  Go here.

Fr. Pablo Straub: How they used to do it.

May the souls of the faithful departed

rest in peace...

Fr. Straub died on October 21, he was 81.

A member of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, colloquially known as the Redemptorists, and a priest for 55 years, Father Straub was easily recognized and well loved from the numerous series he hosted and the retreats he gave over the years.

“Father Pablo was a longtime host on EWTN and a friend to many of us here at the network,” noted Michael Warsaw, of the EWTN Global Catholic Network.

Over the years, anyone who heard Father Straub was immediately drawn by his devotion to the faith, his enthusiasm for it and his eagerness to share it with everyone. These traits were his hallmarks, along with the sense of humor he was apt to show.

Warsaw recalled a recent meeting: “I was with Father Pablo just a few weeks ago in St. Louis, and though he was physically slowed by the symptoms of his previous stroke, his voice and his preaching were as powerful as ever. We will miss that voice here with us, but we are confident that God the Father will welcome home this holy and faithful servant.”

In addition to his service as a retreat leader, Father Straub founded two religious congregations, which combine the contemplative and the missionary, one for men becoming priests and one for women religious: Los Consagrados (and Consagradas) del Santisimo Salvador — the Consecrated of the Most Holy Savior. Their convent and seminary at Mount St. Alphonsus is located near the Coyuca Lagoon on the Pacific Coast just north of Acapulco.  - Catholic Register

Why do I say, "How they used to do it"?

The old fashioned Parish Mission, is an excellent reminder that evangelization isn't new - it's kind of the way they used to do it.  Redemptorists, Passionists, and Franciscans were known for giving parish missions - which were held every few years in parishes around the world, and conducted very much in the style of how Fr. Straub did his presentations on EWTN and on video.  Fr. Straub was often shown speaking, holding a crucifix - preaching Christ crucified - just like St. Paul and the missionary saints who followed.

The effects of parish mission were enormous.  The churches were over crowded - generally not because of the speaker - but as a response to a call.  Confessions - reconciliation - happened, in great numbers.  The confessional lines were long, the confessors busy.  Devotion was increased, sometimes vocations resulted, many people would reform their lives, change their lives.  Alcoholics stopped drinking, unfaithful spouses became faithful, little kids wanted to be saints.

The missionaries were sent by their religious order, at the request of the pastor or the local bishop.  It had little to do with name recognition, celebrity status, even clerical status of the missionary - the crucifix he held up echoed the Apostle, "While I was amongst you I preached Christ, and him crucified."  It wasn't an opportunity to advance book sales for the missionary, much less to schedule more speaking engagements.  The missionaries didn't have a lifestyle to support, they weren't evangelizing for profit.  It wasn't a speaking engagement or a pep rally, and as far away from a business deal as you could get.

"The Church is not a shop... the Church’s mandate is to bring Christ and the gospel." - Pope Francis

I read elsewhere how Evangelical Protestant books apparently outsell Catholic authors/books, as if it was a sign something is wrong with Catholics who some how refuse to grow in their faith. 

Traditionally, ordinary lay Catholics read the classics, the writings of the saints, then they'll read guides for the spiritual life and sanctification.  Prayerful reading, Lectio Divina, has a long tradition amongst Catholics.  Francis De Sales did well with his pamphlets and books on the devout life.  Not too long ago there were magazines devoted to evangelization.  My point is, evangelization shouldn't be about book sales, royalties, bookings, ratings, and so on.  I think it is more about seeking out the strayed and the lost.

Just a thought.

The New Evangelization: Presence.

Being...  Imitating the silent, loving action of Jesus in the Eucharist...

Hidden...

Amidst ordinary life...

A reader sent me this excerpt from Little Brother, Blessed Charles of Jesus:

"I am not the slightest interested in geography or exploration.  Neither am I interested in evangelization as such.  Of this I am neither worthy or capable; and the time for it has not yet come.  My work should be the preliminaries for evangelization, the cultivation of trust & friendship, for gentling, you might say, for fraternization... " - The Sands of Tamanrasset

 

I knew that, but I had forgotten it.  Rather, I lost track of that call.

The Church calls us to evangelize culture.  To be sure, there are many in the business of telling one how to do that too.  Yet evangelization means different things for different people.

I was watching "Journey Home" last Monday evening, a Baptist convert was on telling his story.  I love those stories of conversion - his faith was alive, and he spoke about how his faith was enlivened in and through reading the Catechism.  It was a powerful witness.  It was almost as if I could see the Holy Spirit at work in him as he spoke.  I looked the guy up online and found he had a website and what looks like a full-blown 'ministry' already.  I didn't notice if there was a donate button or not. 

It seems to me as if almost everyone converting-reverting to the Catholic Church feels they have to have a ministry or an apostolate.  And of course, not a few who decide they have one, seem to rely on the scripture which says the worker should be supported/paid in his ministry.  It seems to me rather Protestant - and indeed such methods are often based upon that model. It worked for them before 'coming home', I expect it will work for them as Catholics too.  However, I wonder if there is an over emphasis on apologetics and theology degrees?  And why is everything one does in the name of Christ suddenly called a ministry or an apostolate? 

It strikes me as rather odd.  Whatever happened to converts entering religious life or the priesthood after a significant conversion experience?  What happened to them living ordinary, yet faithful lives in the state of life wherein they were called in the secular world?  I know Opus Dei members do that, hence it is already an established custom in the Church.  They neither call attention to themselves nor seek financial support - they seem to have jobs.

Just imagine if Mary Magdalen, instead of doing penance, studied theology and wrote her own gospel account?  What if Francis of Assisi decided to live in palaces and associate with the rich and powerful, instead of doing as St. Paul instructed: "associate with the lowly"?  What if Thomas Aquinas decided to continue to write books and do the lecture circuit after his revelation before the crucifix, rejecting the notion his academic achievements were simply straw?  What if Dorothy Day ran for Congress instead of sitting in jail for peace?  Just imagine if the saints all wrote best selling books, charged fees for their speaking engagements and healing ministries, and asked for donations to go on exotic retreats and luxury pilgrimages? 

Today, it seems the trend is for people to convert/revert to Catholicism, get a book deal, television interview, and then hang up a shingle and expect people to support them in their "ministry".

God bless them!  They just might already have their reward.

Feast of St.s Joachim and Anne, Parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Who?

A long time ago, a woman who worked for me asked how Catholics know the name of Our Lady's parents, asserting that there is nothing in the Bible to support such a claim.  She was a member of an Assemblies of God church, although she had been baptized a Catholic.  She also liked to accuse Catholics of idolatry, and make remarks about the pope being the Antichrist, and so on.  That day she wasn't interested in St. Anne or inquiring about the faith.

I replied to her challenge,  "I don't know for sure."

"So why do you accept it as a fact?"

I smiled and shrugged, and said, "Tradition?"

She smirked and went away triumphant - satisfied she won a battle against a Catholic - proving how dumb I was.

I continued my work in peace. 

Evangelization isn't about winning debates and arguments.  Sometimes it is better to lose.


Art: St.s Joachim and Anna at the Golden Gate, Giotto, Scrovegni Chapel, Padua.  Incidentally, the names attributed to Our Lady's parents is part of Sacred Tradition, arising from early apocryphal texts.  For a quick history of the saints click here.

Bonus Factoid:  The Blessed Virgin was conceived naturally by her parents, though preserved from Original Sin in her conception, hence her name:  Immaculate Conception.

"We declare, pronounce, and define that the doctrine which holds that the most Blessed Virgin Mary, in the first instance of her conception, by a singular grace and privilege granted by Almighty God, in view of the merits of Jesus Christ, the Savior of the human race, was preserved free from all stain of original sin, is a doctrine revealed by God and therefore to be believed firmly and constantly by all the faithful." - Ineffabilis Deus