The Feast of St. Therese of Lisieux

What would Therese say?

I was wondering what Little Therese would say to her novices if she was alive today, especially as it concerns the crisis in the Church and the more or less open rebellion against the Holy Father.  To be sure she would reprimand those under her charge if they lost their peace and recollection - abandoning prayer - over the controversies swirling in media.  Of course, the novices wouldn't be permitted to be online or any of that.  However, I was thinking of Therese and how she would act, and even wondered if the Holy Father, who is very devoted to her, may be following her direction in these difficult times.

Everyone knows that St. Therese and the Carmel of Lisieux had been deceived by the conversion story of Diana Vaughan, an impostor whose true persona was the anti-Catholic con-artist Leo Taxil... The realization of which led to Therese writing in her memoirs, "I was unable to believe there were really impious people who had no faith... [but] Jesus made me feel that there were really souls who have no faith, and who, through the abuse of grace, lost this precious treasure, the source of the only real and pure joy.".

Leo Taxil of course was a contemporary of St. Therese of Lisieux, who for a time had been taken in by his scam. Taxil had stunned European society with his conversion from Free-Masonry to Catholicism, and subsequent pamphlets detailing the evil Satanic sect within Masonry. (Read more.) Later he invented a persona named Dianah Vaughan, whom he claimed also converted, with startling details of the diabolic cult. Taxil, an anti-clerical free-thinker from the start, delighted in deceiving and mocking the Catholic Church; the Lisieux Carmel and as I mentioned, St. Therese just happened to be amongst those initially duped. Yet it did not disturb her peace, rather it lead her to an even deeper understanding of her vocation.  

As the stories continued, Therese discerned that the whole thing was a hoax.  Her only reason for rejecting the stories was the fact that Diana Vaughan once spoke against episcopal authority. 'That kind of thing cannot come from God, ' she said."  One can be certain she would reject every attack against the Pope, recognizing that kind of thing cannot come from God.

Having said that, even St. Pope John Paul II and others were deceived by Fr. Maciel, just as St. Therese was for a time deceived by Leo Taxil.  Nevertheless, she prayed, prayed for Taxil's conversion.  She prayed for sinners, seated at the table of sinners, as she described her trial of faith.  She prayed for fallen away priests.  She prayed for criminals condemned to death.  I suspect she would pray very much for former Cardinal McCarrick as well.  

That realization is what helped me in all the questions and concerns which have contributed to this crisis in the Church, fueled by speculation and gossip and demands that we know all of the details as to how and why this happened.   

So what would Therese do, or say?

I'm not sure, but the following story works for me.

"The thought that there were some religious communities who were submitting to unjust laws against the Church promulgated by the anti-Catholic secular power, filled me (Celine) with indignation. One day in Therese's presence I exclaimed, 'My entire being rises up in in rebellion when I witness such a spirit of cowardice. I would be cut into a thousand pieces rather than belong to any of these communities or to assist them in any way.'

The Saint answered: 'We should not be concerned about such matters at all. It is true that I would be of your opinion and act perhaps in the same way had I any responsibility in the matter. But I have no obligation whatsoever. Moreover, our only duty is to become united to God. Even if we were members of those communities which are being publicly criticized for their defections, we would be greatly at fault in becoming disquieted on that account.'" - "My Sister, St. Therese" - Sr. Genevieve of the Holy Face

The Holy Father recommends penance and prayer, not to become disquieted, and especially now, in Our Lady's month, to pray the rosary every day, for the protection of the Church from the evil one.  This strikes me as very Theresian. This strikes me as coming from God - God's will on how to conduct ourselves in this dark night.   I think Therese would direct her novices in the same way.

I'm hearing of people leaving the Church because of the scandals, so we need to pray very much.  Some leave because they disagree with Catholic teaching, others because of the scandals and the failure of clergy.  What is necessary is patience, even with ourselves, and confidence and love - and perseverance.  Perseverance in prayer, real prayer. 

Happy feast day to all my friends.  Let's be like Therese and surrender ourselves to merciful love.

"Little Therese never failed to help the most simple souls, the little ones, the poor and the suffering who prayed to her, but she also illuminated all the Church with her profound spiritual doctrine."
.
Speaking to her witness of heroic faith amidst suffering, the Holy Father said: 'The faith she showed through this great suffering was "faith at its most heroic, as the light in the shadows that invade the soul," observed the Pope. "In this context of suffering, living the greatest love in the littlest things of daily life, the saint realized her vocation of becoming the love at the heart of the Church."' - Pope Benedict XVI

Therese

Shortly after 7 PM, little Therese died on the evening of September 30 in 1897. 

She died much like Our Lord, suffocating in great agony; the weeks and days leading up to her death, St. Therese suffered an ineffable darkness, "the trial of Faith". Neither her own words, nor those of any other living person, can describe what it was like to share so intimately her Beloved's death. Not even her sisters could comprehend it.

Therese is little, and yet great. Nevertheless she is always little...very, very little. I sometimes lament she has been declared a Doctor of the Church, resulting in many academics, intellectuals, and masters of theology and spirituality making a science of her "little way." Many times they miss. They miss her "littleness" - her insignificance ...

The only great theologian or mystic that I know of who best writes of what comprised her spirituality is St. John of the Cross, the writer whose works Therese's spiritual doctrine most perfectly embodies. John of the Cross was a little soul as well. One person living today whom I believe understands the spiritual doctrine of St. Therese - and seems to actually live it - is our Holy Father Pope Francis.

Of course, the person who most closely exemplified Little Therese's "little way" was even more little and insignificant than Therese herself - Saint Teresa of Calcutta. 

+

O Lord, Who has said: Unless you become as little children you shall not enter the Kingdom of Heaven; grant us, we beseech Thee, so to follow in humility and simplicity of heart the footsteps of St. Therese, the virgin, that we may obtain everlasting rewards. Who lives and reigns forever. Amen.

Out of my control ... The Crisis.

What is Truth?

Who is telling it?  I'm not sure these days.  That's the crisis - who to believe?

Kavanaugh or Ford?  Haha.  It's not up to me.

McCarrick or Viganò or the Vatican?  Again.  It's not up to me.  (Don't get me wrong - I believe the Holy Father and support him.  When I reference 'the Vatican' I'm nor specifically referring to the Holy See but rather the so-called Vatican 'spokesmen' and/or those speaking for the Pope, albeit unofficially and off-the-cuff.)

A friend sent me the story on the most recent letter from Viganò.  I started to read it, but stopped.  It's against Pope Francis and unverifiable, so I can't read it.  I have a hard time believing any attack upon the Pope's credibility - especially from anyone as arrogant and as contemptuous as Viganò seems to be.

Crux has a couple of articles on what editors think is going on or not going on.  It's more or less an opinion by journalists, I haven't noticed any bombshell evidence that has been unearthed.  Nor have I come across any documentation as to how McCarrick rose to the top.  We may never know.

An expert on Church law in Rome says there's no precedent for bishops' investigation other bishops, and that only the authority of the pope can release the documents likely needed to get to the bottom of the case of ex-Cardinal Theodore McCarrick. - Crux

This is pretty much what I have concluded as well. Only the Pope can authorize a visitation and he has so far decided against this. So the McCarrick case is pretty much decided, the Cardinal title has been removed, he's in a Capuchin friary doing penance. The rest is private - obviously. That is because ...

"Puig also noted that most of McCarrick’s misconduct happened with adult priests and seminarians, and while there was certainly an abuse of power at play, there were only two cases of minors who alleged having been abused, meaning the congregation, which deals only with delicta graviora crimes, or “serious offenses,” would not oversee the bulk of McCarrick’s misbehavior, perhaps making the case less urgent than others that could also be waiting for trial." - Crux

It seems to me Cardinal Maradiaga actually revealed how the McCarrick thing is being handled and will be treated: As private matter of a homosexual nature, the rest - his progress through the ranks - is an internal administration concern. McCarrick will die soon and even if the USCCB was able to get into the archives, they would not be able to reveal what they found out.
It's out of my control, and there is nothing I can do about it. If I read the gossip and debates, I risk losing my faith.  I risk seeing the Church as a purely human institution, a social justice organization.

I'm happy the Pope asked for the daily rosary and prayers to St. Michael during October "to protect the Church from the devil, who always seeks to separate us from God and from each other."  What is happening is truly diabolical. 

The Holy Father has decided to invite all the faithful, of all the world, to pray the Holy Rosary every day, during the entire Marian month of October.

We fly to Thy protection, O Holy Mother of God. 

Do not despise our petitions in our necessities, 

but deliver us always from all dangers, 

O Glorious and Blessed Virgin.

Pope Francis' invitation

"The Holy Father has decided to invite all the faithful, of all the world, to pray the Holy Rosary every day, during the entire Marian month of October, and thus to join in communion and in penitence, as the people of God, in asking the Holy Mother of God and Saint Michael Archangel to protect the Church from the devil, who always seeks to separate us from God and from each other."

The Holy Father asks us "to conclude the recitation of the Rosary with the ancient invocation “Sub Tuum Praesidium”, and with the prayer to Saint Michael Archangel that he protect us and help us in the struggle against evil (cf. Revelation 12, 7-12)." - VN

Saint Michael Archangel, defend us in battle, 

be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil;

 may God rebuke him, we humbly pray; 

and do thou, O Prince of the heavenly host, 

by the power of God, 

cast into hell Satan and all the evil spirits 

who prowl through the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.

It's all good!

Priest Interrupted.

Fr. Kalchik in hiding.

To avoid being sent for an evaluation.  All my readers know that, but now other priests are coming forward, talking about St. Luke's Institute - where they send priests for evaluation and therapy and to get better.  It sounds creepy.  They seem to want chaste priests to become sexually mature, and Catholic moral teaching has no place in achieving this?  It is creepy.

This is not accompanying priests.  This is not pastoral.  This is not mercy.  This too is abuse.

How do they get away with that?  Consider how many Catholic priests rant against parents or individuals seeking therapy for unwanted homosexual attraction?  Yet they will send one of their own into an institution just because they are a bit too traditional. 

None of my business I guess.

(Fr. Z has been posting on this, as well as Church Militant.  You can go there for details if you want.  I apologize, I'm just sharing my reflections. And ... I'm depressed and sad.)

Song for this post here.

Nothing to say.

The Feast of the Great St. Sergius of Radonezhsky

St. Sergius of Radonezh

Sergius died on September 25, 1392, and was glorified (canonized) in 1452. His incorrupt relics were found in 1422 and placed in the new Trinity Cathedral of the Lavra which he founded. The church commemorates him on September 25, the day of his death, and on July 5, the day his relics were uncovered. Among the many affectionate titles given him, he has been referred to as the "Abbot of Russia" and "valiant voevod" of the Russian land. The Roman Catholic Church officially recognizes Sergius as a saint, listing him in the MartyrThe Feast of the Great St. Sergius Radoologium Romanum. - Wiki

"The Appearance of the Most Holy Theotokos to Saint Sergius of Radonezh: Once, late at night, Saint Sergius (1314-1392) was reading an Akathist to the Mother of God. Having finished his habitual rule, he sat down to rest a bit, but suddenly he said to his disciple, Saint Micah (May 6): “Be alert, my child, for we shall have a wondrous visitation.” Scarcely had he uttered these words than a voice was heard: “The All-Pure One approaches!”

Saint Sergius rushed from the cell to the entrance, and suddenly it was illumined by a bright light, brighter than the sun. He beheld nearby in imperishable glory the Mother of God, accompanied by the Apostles Peter and John. Unable to bear such a vision, Saint Sergius reverently prostrated himself before the Mother of God. She said to him, “Fear not, My chosen one! I have come to visit you. Your prayer for your disciples and your monastery has been heard. Do not be troubled, for your habitation shall prosper, not only in your lifetime, but also after your departure to God. I will be with your monastery, supplying its needs abundantly, and protecting it.” Having said this, the Mother of God became invisible." - OCA

S, Sergius had a special relationship

with bears ... so he's kind of

a poodle saint.

What?

Today is the Feast of Our Lady of Mercy, of Ransom.

B. Mariæ V. de Mercede

 

Merciful Father and God of all consolation,
you have shown yourself
to be wonderful in the glorious Virgin Mary,
Mother of Christ, and have given her to us
as the Mother of Mercy.

May all of us who venerate her with devotion,
always experience her powerful intercession,
and enjoy Your immense mercy.
Grant this through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

How urgently we need you now, Mother of Mercy ...

This is the best comment ever. (In regard to Fr. Kalchik and the Cardinal.)

From Fr. Z's post on the story:

Fr Sean Coyle says:22 September 2018 at 1:24 PM

“Thirdly, the cardinal thinks you should get a psychological evaluation.” 

Edition 2, 2018 of Maria Legionis, the magazine of the Legion of Mary, gives the text of a talk given by the Servant of God Frank Duff, founder of the Legion of Mary, on “Legion Humour”. It includes this story: 

“Another example would be St. John Bosco in whom humour was as a running river. Like many another saint, he was accused of eccentricity. And on one occasion this caused him to be put into the custody of two Canons to convey him to a mental home. Arriving there, he got out of the vehicle first and formally handed over to the custodians of the institution the two high dignitaries who were with him. He explained that they would probably be a little violent at being held, which certainly proved to be the case. All the excited expostulation of the two Canons and their efforts to explain things were not heeded. John Bosco, who was calm itself during the incident, finally took his leave and departed in the vehicle leaving his former escort struggling in the hands of their captors.” - Fr. Z's Blog

Thank you Fr. Coyle!  Thank you Fr. Z!  Thank you Fr. Bosco!

Sounds like a scene from "Harvey".

Elwood's sister, Veta Louise Simmons, 

tries to have him committed to a sanatorium. 

In exasperation, she admits to the attending psychiatrist 

Dr. Lyman Sanderson that, 

after so many years of putting up with the invisible rabbit, 

she sees Harvey every once in a while herself. 

This causes Dr. Sanderson to let Elwood out and lock Veta up. 

Wiki

I want to live here ...

Yesterday I did a silly post on FB on having to run an errand, adding how I never go anyplace, and so on.  It was meant as a joke.  Later, when I thought about it, I was a little embarrassed, since it was kind of true.  I really do live a rather quiet, withdrawn life.

Since I couldn't be a proper pilgrim-recluse like Benedict Joseph Labre, and since I wasn't able to be a Carthusian, I still always wanted to live that sort of life as closely as possible.  So I live an ordinary life, as if my house and yard is a little hermitage.  I pray as much as I can - especially now since I am retired, and in imitation of the desert fathers, I paint.  They made baskets of course, but it's similar - work with my hands joined to prayer.  Likewise, I garden.  Now I take care of a friend as well - which is a great gift.  So in a way, I'm living my dream, as odd and imperfect as it is.  It is a surprising grace.

I love the Immaculate Conception, and want to live here ... in her ... forever.  She is my paradise upon earth.  I have no need to go elsewhere.

Frank Walker writes the most hysterical copy ever.

Treacherous Butterball, Abp. Scicluna, plugs upcoming Bishops' Synod to Protect Children from Synodsful of Bishops

That's gold!  I am laughing so hard!

San Giuseppe da Copertino

St. Joseph would never be ordained today.  Too bad.

Feast of the Sacred Stigmata of St. Francis of Assisi

St. Francis began to contemplate most devoutly the Passion of Jesus Christ and His infinite charity; and so greatly did the fervor of devotion increase within him, that he was all transformed into Jesus by love and compassion. And being thus inflamed in that contemplation, on that same morning he beheld a seraph descending from heaven with six fiery and resplendent wings; and this seraph with rapid flight drew nigh unto St. Francis, so that he could plainly discern Him, and perceive that He bore the image of one crucified; and the wings were so disposed, that two were spread over the head, two were outstretched in flight, and the other two covered the whole body.

 And when St. Francis beheld it, he was much afraid, and filled at once with joy and grief and wonder. He felt great joy at the gracious presence of Christ, who appeared to him thus familiarly, and looked upon him thus lovingly, but, on the other hand, beholding Him thus crucified, he felt exceeding grief and compassion. He marveled much at so stupendous and unwonted a vision, knowing well that the infirmity of the Passion accorded ill with the immortality of the seraphic spirit. And in that perplexity of mind it was revealed to him by Him who thus appeared, that by divine providence this vision had been thus shown to him that he might understand that, not by martyrdom of the body, but by a consuming fire of the soul, he was to be transformed into the express image of Christ crucified in that wonderful apparition.

Then did all of Mount Alvernia appear wrapped in intense fire, which illumined all the mountains and valleys around, as it were the sun shining in his strength upon the earth, for which cause the shepherds who were watching their flocks in that country were filled with fear, as they themselves afterwards told the brethren, affirming that this light had been visible on Mount Alvernia for upwards of an hour. And because of the brightness of that light, which shone through the windows of the inn where they were tarrying, some muleteers who were travelling in Romagna arose in haste, supposing that the sun had risen, and saddled and loaded their beasts; but as they journeyed on, they saw that light disappear, and the visible sun arise. - Fioretti, taken from NLM

Prayers for our Holy Father Pope Francis.

O Lord Jesus Christ, who when the world was growing cold, in order that our hearts might burn anew with the fire of Thy love, didst in the flesh of the most blessed Francis renew the sacred marks of Thy passion; mercifully grant, that by his merits and prayers, we may ever carry our cross, and bring forth fruits worthy of penance. (Collect from Mass)

Exaltation of the Holy Cross

Since 'they' insist that icons are 'written', I do not need to write anything today.  Read your icons, class.

Standing with the Pope.

I am not ashamed to stand with the Pope and remain faithful to the Holy Catholic Church.

O my God, I firmly believe that you are one God in three divine Persons,Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. I believe that your divine Son became man and died for our sins and that he will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe these and all the truths which the Holy Catholic Church teaches because you have revealed them who are eternal truth and wisdom, who can neither deceive nor be deceived. In this faith I intend to live and die. Amen.

That said, with the help of grace, I will embrace the confusion, the temptation to discouragement and doubt, and every fear, confident in the promises of Christ and the protection of the Mother of God.

I read an essay from Emmett O'Reagan who writes Unveiling the Apocalypse.  It's very long but quite helpful - to me at least - in putting things in perspective.  A huge, immense perspective, if you will.  I copied a section to share here:

Emmett begins this particular selection, writing:  As I have already explained in the post Pope Benedict XVI on the Chronology of Apocalyptic Events ...

In the vision of Saint Hildegard, the face of the Church is stained with dust, and this is how we have seen it. Her garment is torn – by the sins of priests. The way she saw and expressed it is the way we have experienced it this year. We must accept this humiliation as an exhortation to truth and a call to renewal.

Now notice the similarities here between the words of the Holy Father and those of Sr. Lucia during her interview with Fr. Fuentes:

Sister Lucy also told me: "Father, the devil is in the mood for engaging in a decisive battle against the Blessed Virgin. And the devil knows what it is that offends God the most, and which in a short space of time will gain for him the greatest number of souls. Thus the devil does everything to overcome souls consecrated to God, because in this way the devil will succeed in leaving the souls of the faithful abandoned by their leaders, thereby the more easily will he seize them." 

"That which afflicts the Immaculate Heart of Mary and the Heart of Jesus is the fall of religious and priestly souls. The devil knows that religious and priests who fall away from their beautiful vocation drag numerous souls to hell. The devil wishes to take possession of consecrated souls. He tries to corrupt them in order to lull to sleep the souls of laypeople and thereby lead them to final impenitence. He employs all tricks, even going so far as to suggest the delay of entrance into religious life. Resulting from this is the sterility of the interior life, and among the laypeople, coldness (lack of enthusiasm) regarding the subject of renouncing pleasures and the total dedication of themselves to God."

A connection between these words of Sr. Lucia and St. Hildegard's vision of "filth" within the Church clearly seems to have been on Pope Benedict's mind here, since he uses basically the same themes and symbolism during his visit to Fatima in 2010:

"As for the new things which we can find in this message today, there is also the fact that attacks on the Pope and the Church come not only from without, but the sufferings of the Church come precisely from within the Church, from the sin existing within the Church. This too is something that we have always known, but today we are seeing it in a really terrifying way: that the greatest persecution of the Church comes not from her enemies without, but arises from sin within the Church, and that the Church thus has a deep need to relearn penance, to accept purification, to learn forgiveness on the one hand, but also the need for justice."

Cardinal Ratzinger again alluded to St. Hildegard's writings describing the current state of the Church as a woman whose garments are soiled in his famous Way of the Cross sermon in 2005, just before he ascended the papacy:

"Should we not also think of how much Christ suffers in his own Church? How often is the holy sacrament of His Presence abused, how often must he enter empty and evil hearts! How often do we celebrate only ourselves, without even realizing that he is there! How often is his Word twisted and misused! What little faith is present behind so many theories, so many empty words!

How much filth there is in the Church, and even among those who, in the Priesthood, ought to belong entirely to him! How much pride, how much self-complacency!" 

"Lord, your Church often seems like a boat about to sink, a boat taking in water on every side. In your field we see more weeds than wheat. The soiled garments and face of your Church throw us into confusion. Yet it is we ourselves who have soiled them! It is we who betray you time and time again, after all our lofty words and grand gestures. Have mercy on your Church... You stood up, you arose and you can also raise us up. Save and sanctify your Church. Save and sanctify us all." - OL of Knock, Jacob's Ladder, and the Short Time of Satan

The very worst is upon us right now - people within the Church are violently attacking the Holy Father - especially online.  Many people are calling for his resignation and so on.  He needs our prayers and sacrifices even more now than ever.  If he has made mistakes, Our Lord will correct him.  How worldly interpretations of the crisis distract us from a supernatural perspective is frightening to me.  The section quoted from Sr. Lucia helped me understand a bit better, that the proper response for me is deeper prayer and penance - renouncing pleasures - and to accept purification-chastisements in a spirit of sacrifice - at least to try.

"That which afflicts the Immaculate Heart of Mary and the Heart of Jesus is the fall of religious and priestly souls. The devil knows that religious and priests who fall away from their beautiful vocation drag numerous souls to hell. The devil wishes to take possession of consecrated souls. He tries to corrupt them in order to lull to sleep the souls of laypeople and thereby lead them to final impenitence. He employs all tricks, even going so far as to suggest the delay of entrance into religious life. Resulting from this is the sterility of the interior life, and among the laypeople, coldness (lack of enthusiasm) regarding the subject of renouncing pleasures and the total dedication of themselves to God." - O'Reagan

The Vatican is preparing a response to Vigano ...

Grand silence.

The Cardinals, that is.

I can't wait.  (Trying not to be cynical.)

The C-9.

The six present for the September meeting were: Cardinals Pietro Parolin, Vatican secretary of state; Oscar Rodriguez Maradiaga of Tegucigalpa, Honduras; Sean P. O’Malley of Boston; Oswald Gracias of Mumbai, India; Reinhard Marx of Munich and Freising, Germany; and Giuseppe Bertello, president of the commission governing Vatican City State.

The three who were absent were: 85-year-old Cardinal Francisco Javier Errazuriz Ossa, retired archbishop of Santiago, Chile, who is facing questioning over his handling of abuse allegations; Cardinal Laurent Monsengwo Pasinya of Kinshasa, Congo, who turns 79 in early October; and 77-year-old Australian Cardinal George Pell, who currently is on trial in Australia on sex abuse charges. - Catholic Herald

I wonder if Maradiaga will have anything to say about his seminarian scandal?  What a group.

Like I said, I'm trying hard not to be cynical.

In an interview, Cardinal O’Malley, speaking about sexual abuse survivors stated: “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!”  He was talking about listening to abuse survivors and how the Church wants to insure it doesn't happen again, and so on.  Hopefully they will begin with the proper formation of priests and who is admitted to seminary.  With Maradiaga on the Council of Cardinals, I wonder how that will go?  The focus on issues of abuse and survivors is one thing, hopefully they won't use it to deflect attention away from the corruption, which has been exposed by the McCarrick revelations, not to ignore the seminary scandals in Honduras and elsewhere over the years.

The Holy Father wants us to be silent and pray. I will try.

As John of the Cross said, "Controlling the tongue is better than fasting on bread and water."

Remember how dumb I was?

Paglia 

Duomo di Terni 

I'm better now.

Not sure if I shared this with you here...Goin' up yonder!

Giving up.

Until the Holy Father speaks and addresses the issue of sexual abuse and cover-up I have no interest in what any Catholic has to say on the subject, be they cardinal, archbishop, bishop, priest, religious or laity.

I'm going to confession now.

Song for this post here.

Our Lady's Birthday

You, O little Mary, Maria Bambina, are the Cause of our Joy! Your appearance in the arms of your mother announces that the Word of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, True God from True God, will soon appear in your arms. And you have but one desire, one joy: to give us your Son, to draw us to Him, that your joy might be ours and that our joy might be fulfilled. Amen

I am all thine, and all that I have is thine, O most loving Jesus,

through Mary Thy most holy and Immaculate Mother.

Just a thought ...

I'm sincerely and honestly sad about the crisis in the Church. I don't think I have ever felt such sorrow. I no longer feel anger or betrayal, but genuine sadness. I thank God for this grace.

Catholics are fed up?

And wouldn't object to a federal investigation?

Who is Austin Ruse to make a claim like that?  What Catholics are saying that?  What do these people believe?  Are they really Catholic?  Or do they worship Trump and the U.S. Government?

It’s possible the president does not know what the Vatican is really doing to handle the crisis. Someone should tell Trump that Pope Francis and his men have been content to remain silent and allow media cutouts to slander the accuser, Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò, who released his j’accuse two weeks ago.

President Trump should understand that Catholics are fed up and would not object to federal intervention into this crisis. Consider that high-ranking officials of a foreign government have covered up the criminal sexual assault of American men and boys. This is how this crisis should be viewed by the U.S. government. 

The U.S. government should request that the Vatican release all documents related to McCarrick’s sexual assaults. There are files in the Vatican embassy in Washington DC and in various offices in Rome. Again, the President should act as if that criminal behavior against Americans was covered up by officials of a foreign government. - Ruse

Bringing it on themselves.

These people believe Government can fix everything, that Trump can make the Church great again.  They are willing to surrender their religious freedom to the Government.  They don't know what they are asking, they don't know of what spirit they are.

Mr. Ruse and his fellow ideologues have lost any shred of credibility they maybe once had.  This proposal is sheer demagoguery.  You cannot serve God and mammon.  History demonstrates the lunacy of government intervention in the Church.  Be careful what you wish for and the precedent you are willing to sell Peter for.

NB: To be sure, criminal acts should be prosecuted, and victims should be free to alert the police when crimes are committed, as in the case of sexual abuse of minors and rape.  Mistakes were made when victims appealed to chanceries and bishops in the past.  However, sexual misconduct with adults, as in McCarrick's case is probably not a criminal offense.  It's sexual harassment most likely, but if victims did not report, or were ignored, and a culture of abuse ensued, I'm not sure it is a criminal offense in the same way as abuse of minors. I'm not a lawyer.

It should be noted that as in the Pennsylvania Grand Jury report, several priests who were listed for 'credible charges of abuse' were either found innocent or their cases dismissed - nevertheless, their names remain on the list of priests with credible allegations.  This is how it works in every diocese.  It's one thing to have a DA or Grand Jury to review records, it's quite another to call on the Trump Administration to intervene.

"When we try to use the federal government to intercede in religious affairs, it inherently weakens the unique character of Christ's kingdom." - Jimmy Carter

Mexico

Spain

Fun painting.

I'm working on Nativity backgrounds for a priest friend of mine.  The photo shown here is part of a series I did for a creche a few years ago.  They are fun to paint because it's all imaginative - just a landscape with romantic scenes.  I looked up my old photos to see how they compare, so far my new stuff is darker.  This kind of thing is fun to do.

As politicized white folks screaming at each other doesn't meet any credible standard of "news" - Whispers

What's that supposed to mean?

Just kidding, kinda.  A friend sent me the Rocco quote this morning.  I love how people use 'white folks' to insinuate some sort of racist motive - or not.  Last week Cupich suggested the enemies of the Pope didn't like him because he's Latino - I thought that was stupid too.  Especially considering Francis is Italian, born in Argentina.  Anyway, he was deflecting as usual.

Talk about politicized.

Mass hysterics ... Now Catholics want the Government to step in?

Blognic in an egg.

(I depicted Thomas Peters in the papal tiara.)

Catholic Vote Thomas Peters is sounding more and more like Michael Voris.

Church Militant says Catholic Trump supporters would like the trump administration to step in an resolve clergy sex abuse scandal and make the American Church great again.

Politically conservative, angry Catholic Trump supporters want the federal government to take action and end the scourge of sex abuse and cover-up by Catholic clergy and leaders, and these are the voters among Catholics that Trump needs to pay attention to - regular Mass attending Catholics. - CM

Peters has lost it as well, writing:

I have come to the difficult conclusion, along with Hugh Hewitt and others, that a government-led investigation into the Catholic hierarchy is probably the only means at our disposal to be an example for the universal church for how to uproot this network of corruption inside our church and yes, to get priests and bishops to begin speaking out and turning each other in, following the trail back to the loggia of Rome. 49 more state attorney generals and the Attorney General using every means at their disposal to discover which bishops and cardinals have endangered children by moving predator priests, have orchestrated cover ups to protect abusive priests and bishops and cardinals and have individually and collectively preyed upon young men and seminarians. Open up the files. Follow the paper trail. Deposition. Subpoena. Jail. - CatholicVote

You Mr. Peter's think like American lobbyists and political pundits.  Talk about partisanship and tribalism - who knew uber-Catholics would be the ones to bring on the persecution?  They literally have more faith in the secular government and Trump than in Christ and the Church.  Be careful what you wish for Poodles.

"Christ wins in the end." - Pope Benedict

Be careful what you wish for.

Protests too much ...

What?

Me thinks.

These days, just be careful who is outing who, Poodles.

That's all.

“Express how you feel and then be quiet. Because the truth is humble, the truth is silent, the truth isn't noisy." - P. Francis

When the lies and hypocrisies are exposed, the lusts and indecency out in the open ... 

Amid the shouting, Jesus walked in peace through the midst of them.

I think this is what is happening - the shouting and accusations and stories circulating within ourselves, keep us from recollection and prayer.  The fighting - the competition between politics and religion and our social calendars and agenda; the betrayal of trust, the hypocrisy, the in-fighting, the name calling, vanity and greed, placing our trust in all that is not God, the lying ...  

So they picked up stones to throw at him; but Jesus hid and went out of the temple area. - John 8:59

We encounter Christ rejected, in the sin that wears a thousand faces.

How could we possibly have the heart to mock these people or to hate them, this multitude of sinners with whom we rub shoulders?

The solitude of God in fraternal charity; it is Christ serving Christ, Christ in the one who is serving and Christ in the one being served. - Madeleine Delbrel

He walked in peace through the midst of them. 

The world revolves, the cross remains the same.  It's not just a pious platitude.  Misguided churchmen think the papacy will become irrelevant, that the Church will collapse, and everyone feels an urgent need to call out warnings, making calls for battle, and so on, yet Christ remains with the Church.  He remains with us, in his silent loving action in the Eucharist.  The same yesterday, today and tomorrow. 

I need to try and make reparation.

There is a time for everything,

a time to be silent,

 and a time to speak. - Eccl 3:7

Nor takes up a reproach against his neighbor ...

Eternal Father, 

we offer You the Adorable Face of Your well-beloved Son,

 for the Honor and Glory of Your Holy Name, 

and for the salvation of all men. Amen.

The Readings for Today.

I've gone too far online, I've sat among the scorners and offered reproaches against my neighbor, slandered and/or spread scandalous theories and speculation regarding the moral life of those I don't know.  Once again, I've engaged in spreading gossip regarding the scandals in the Church.  This isn't what religion is all about - this isn't religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father.  This behavior has nothing to do with true devotion and reparation.

This morning I understood how the Holy Face of Jesus is the perfect reflection of what the Church suffers, and how all of the reproaches, scorn and contempt filling the Internet have fallen upon the Holy Face of Jesus - in his sacred passion of course, but also once again in the current crisis the Church is going through.  I am guilty. I need to try and make reparation.  

Many of us have aligned ourselves with factions which are more political in nature - identifying as liberal or conservative and so on.  The Church has to be above that.  I think that would be the message of Christ's silence before Pilate, and likewise, his silent loving gaze in the Veil of Veronica, and in the Eucharist.  He remains silent.  I may be wrong, but it seems to this is a mystery we cannot lightly attribute to anyone save Christ and the Church.  

I look at the Holy Face, covered with blood, sweat, spittle, bruising from slaps, covered once again in the barrage of daily scorn and contempt, and shouts, repeating in our own mendacious manner: "Prophesy! Who is it that struck you?" And they spoke many other words against him, reviling him."  We keep doing it.

I have to try to make reparation.

Happy indeed is the man
who follows not the counsel of the wicked,
nor lingers in the way of sinners
nor sits in the company of scorners,
but whose delight is the law of the Lord
and who ponders his law day and night.

He is like a tree that is planted
beside the flowing waters,
that yields its fruit in due season
and whose leaves shall never fade;
and all that he does shall prosper.
Not so are the wicked, not so!

For they like winnowed chaff
shall be driven away by the wind.
When the wicked are judged they shall not stand,
nor find room among those who are just;
for the Lord guards the way of the just
but the way of the wicked leads to doom.

Catholics need to 'Man Up' I guess.

A beard is a beard is a beard.

Buck up their swords and polish their shields.*

I didn't realize Fr. Longenecker does Catholic Man conferences.  In his latest article he has some decent advice - and not just for men I guess.  I know, it's just his handle, like his pop-Catholic advice.  One dumb idea after another - he blamed Brother Sun, Sister Moon for effete seminarians and priests last week.  I'm glad I'm not the only crackpot online.  Anyway, his latest is just so, so - though somewhat dismissive - I suppose it fits the Catholic man-talk strategy.

I say respond, react to the scandals any way you like - just let the hierarchy know you want straight answers and that you want to see reform.  In the meantime amuse yourselves, talk among yourselves, and enjoy the drama.

It's a great time to be Catholic, so long as one is content with a sufficiency and not worried about cashing in.

*Wait - I think I read that book.

I have a lot on my mind today ...

Minnesota State Fair Advice ...

The Viganò Manuscript

Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano

What if Vigano's 'letter' was just a script for another Dan Brown novel?

I bet that's it.  Maybe a rewrite of one of Malachi Martin's books?  A reality TV show plot?  Many people are bringing up Malachi Martin, suggesting he was some sort of prophet.  Seriously, Vigano's letter fits in with all the prophecies and conspiracy theories and Goth-fiction stories from 1P5 and The Remnant over the years.  Even Fr. Z is scared. 

Anyway, I'm in a much better mood today.  I'm grateful for living in interesting times.

Maybe this was a sign after all?

This too?

Another omen?

Vigano lost me here ...

Babbo ... sweet Christ on earth.

It is a complete absurdity to give credence to a statement such as the following:

June of 2013, only a few months after Francis’s election — one notes that Viganò never says he explicitly mentioned any specific allegation against McCarrick. He also does a good deal of reading between the lines, and attributes motive:

I began the conversation, asking the Pope what he intended to say to me with the words he had addressed to me when I greeted him the previous Friday. And the Pope, in a very different, friendly, almost affectionate tone, said to me: “Yes, the Bishops in the United States must not be ideologized, they must not be right-wing like the Archbishop of Philadelphia, (the Pope did not give me the name of the Archbishop) they must be shepherds; and they must not be left-wing — and he added, raising both arms — and when I say left-wing I mean homosexual.” Of course, the logic of the correlation between being left-wing and being homosexual escaped me, but I added nothing else. - CWR

Okay then.  I'm fine now.

A man's enemies will be those of his own household. - Matt 10:36

Remember the saints who lived through anti-papist and schismatic times.  Some of them made mistakes about which pope was true, others, Like Catherine of Siena kept her eyes upon the true Pope, because she prayed and lived in intimate union with Christ, she stood by the Pope, united to the Church.  The Pope is Christ's vicar and as Our Lady pointed out, just like her Son, he will have much to suffer.  I seriously never expected the Pope would suffer this, not in modern times.  Talk about the Devil's final battle!  So we must pray and remain faithful to the Church, come what may.

This may be what the ugly side of clericalism looks like when threatened with reform.  I may be wrong, but I stand with our 'sweet Christ on earth'.

The following helps me to know my place when it comes to the current crisis of bishops:

"Only the Pope could correct the defects of the priests," (in Catherine's day), and not the laity who should always revere them, since Christ left to the Apostle Peter and his successors the key of His Blood, from which all the Sacraments gain life.  (Of course the author is speaking in the historical context - I used it here to point out that it remains true that only the pope can discipline bishops.)  "The Pope, with ardent faith recognised by Catherine as "sweet Christ on earth" and called with tender affection "My kindest daddy" is asked to work strongly for the reform of the Church. "Intervene to eliminate the stink of the ministers of the Holy Church; pull out the stinking flowers and plant scented plants, virtuous men who fear God". - S. Caterina and Priests.