So. Viganò calls for the reconsecration of St. Peter’s Basilica?

Pachamama, a symbol of earth’s fertility for Andean cultures.

Yep.  Those are the words of Archbp. Carlo Maria Viganò.

Fr.Z links to the original story/interview from LifeSiteNews.  Methinks they protest too much - but who am I to judge?

I'm certainly not afraid.  As a fan and painter of Indigenous-Spanish-Colonial art, and since I have been influenced by Spanish mysticism and spirituality since my youth, as well as that introduced by missionaries in the Americas, I have great esteem for the indigenous elements documented in Roman Catholic iconography, much of which remain to this day.

The idea that a Pachamama image(s) was found displayed in Our Lady's Church in Rome, and carried along a Way of the Cross at St. Peter's, or was used in a tree planting ceremony in the Vatican gardens, hardly rises to the Abomination of Desolation level of apostasy.  St. JPII attended similar ceremonies in Assisi, kissed a Koran, among other actions, which always unsettled the settled.  My point is, to some extent these concerns are not new - the issue of inculturation and the fears of syncretism stretch back to Colonial times.  I will offer an example from Bolivia.

San Francisco, La paz

All photos for this post

are details of the 1700's facade.

The facade of the Basilica of San Francisco in the city of La Paz, Bolivia.

A plaque at the atrium of the San Francis church that is part of the market reads: “What began causing divisions, ended up uniting two cultures in a rich blend of cultures that marks the identity of this unique city.”

In LaPaz, Bolivia, in 1549, the Franciscan order built a church. It was rebuilt some 200 years later by indigenous people who had converted to Catholicism. In its baroque-styled facade, they carved in stone the head of a bull, a symbol of the colonizers, as well as Franciscan shields, and a bare-breasted goddess, who Mendoza says is Pachamama, a symbol of earth’s fertility for Andean cultures.

Anthropologists say that the indigenous would camouflage their beliefs under Catholic ones. That created a blend of Christian and ancestral rites, called religious syncretism. It is recognized by Bolivia’s constitution under the term “Andean cosmovision,” and it is widely practiced by many in the mostly indigenous South American country. - Source

Superstitious fears.

God bless the prelates and priests concerned about the confusion in the Church, but they need to stop stirring up fears of Satanism invading the sanctuary, and giving so much credence to powerless idols - who have mouths, but speak not, who are naked, but attract not.

As Pope Francis has pointed out since the beginning of his Pontificate, real idolatry exists in the world and is perpetrated by big business, politics, prosperity-gospel-preachers, and ideological colonization - by any entity well funded by their followers.  Entire nations, along with big business take part in infant sacrifice through legalized  abortion and imposed contraception, as well as human trafficking.  One ought not forget the role big pharma, fashion and pop-culture plays in the manipulation of gender-identity,  body-dysphoria - which is worse than any form of tribal scarification-mutilation and or tattooing to 'please the gods'.  The priests of Baal cut themselves to gain favor with their false gods.   Our generation is idolatrous to the extreme, we embrace these forms of pagan ritual in ordinary life.  Look how prevalent piercings and tattoos are even among devout Catholics. 

Just remember, Pachamama and many other pagan effigies hold places of honor on church facades and in the interiors of churches throughout Europe since Medieval times and earlier.

On April 23, 1758, The Basilica was officially consecrated - as it is.

Maybe someone might want to inform Vigano?

The Eighth Day

Eight days ago I wrote about dubious apparitions.

The same day I came down with flu symptoms, even though I got a flu shot.  This has been one of the worst I've had - I missed Mass twice, and finally managed to get into Urgent Care for diagnosis.  No pneumonia - but bronchitis.  The flu test was deemed a false negative because my symptoms contradicted the test.  Today I'm beginning to feel better.

Was I punished for my post?

Haha!  I don't believe it works that way.  What I do believe is that getting hit with a severe illness for a few days, completely interrupts your life.  It's a prelude to death, in a way.  The thought of possessions and material things seems like such a burden.  Even food is reduced to a necessity without enjoyment or satisfaction.  What I have spent my time on - ah - social media, reading, writing, getting worked up over all the fighting, political division, even in the Church, all of it is diminished in importance in contrast with eternal life - or eternal death.  In fact, it seems to me, eternal death is the continuation of the chaos and conflict we immerse ourselves in, enclosed, imprisoned by the materialism our possessions represent. 

I think purgatory may be a better analogy, since I am feeling better and I have more hope.  The fever and chills and aches - perhaps just a minute experience of the sufferings some of the mystics say souls in purgatory suffer.  The thought of unfinished projects and obligations, now unable to complete, as well as the needs of those who depend upon me, which I couldn't take care of when I was in bed, unable to do much, seemed to me a sort of purgative experience.  Sorry to be so dramatic, but illness seems to me to be a sort of 'correction of conscience'.  BTW, that's what the 'Warning' is supposed to accomplish.  I don't see that as a punishment.

Souls in Purgatory Supplicating the Madonna of Loreto

Guercino

A correction of conscience.

In a BBC interview Mikhail Gorbachev, the world is in colossal danger at this time.  Over the weekend, news from Akita surfaced, the angel who first appeared Sr. Sasagawa returned, calling for penance and prayer, in the style of Jonah, and in my opinion, a purposeful reference to the prophet's  urgent call to repentance at Nineveh.

The good thing to convey to everyone is, “Cover in ashes” (see Note 2) “and please pray the Penitential Rosary every day. You (Sr. Sasagawa) become like an child and every day please give sacrifice.” - Source

That gave me pause, but I don't think it should surprise anyone, or scare people ... sitting in ashes may be similar to having the flu and unable to eat.  To do penance, to become like a child, to pray the rosary in a spirit of penance and reparation, that is not a punishment. 

We know Gorbachev is right, and Sr. Sasagawa seems even more credible, as well.  We are in perilous times.  So it is good to pray for repentance and do penance - not just for ourselves, but all of those deceived and distracted by social media and the world.

To do penance:  Maybe to sit in the ashes of our material consumption and waste.  To fast from all forms of excessive consumption.

To become like a child:  Maybe to become humble.  To depend on the promises of Christ, rather than those of the world, the flesh and the devil.  To surrender ourselves entirely to the Holy Trinity through Our Lady, the Mother of Jesus.  To stop judging and condemning, and trying to be in control, to strive become simple, like the Infant Jesus.

To pray the penitential rosary in a spirit of penance and reparation:  Maybe to pray for authentic repentance while we pray for the conversion of sinners who have no one to pray for them   Rather than concern ourselves with who does what, pray in repentance.  The Publican never lifted his eyes to heaven, nor did he look about him to find someone worse than himself.  Repentance is not real when we point the blame on others, or call out their sins.  It lacks humility - and tit seems to me this is at the heart of the message given by Sr. Sasagawa's angel.

After the bomb - Hiroshima.

The Odd Thing About the Events at Garabandal...

Ezkioga

Striking similarities with Ezkioga

Those devoted to Our Lady of Garabandal, while awaiting the Warning, the Miracle, and then the Chastisement, maybe aren't as well acquainted with the apparitions at Ezkioga thirty years earlier.  I've written about it in the past, but I'd like to share something I came across on the apparent link between the two events.  I find it interesting that the events in Garabandal occurred a mere 30 years after the events of Ezkioga - with very similar messages. 

The alleged series of apparitions in 1931 took place not far from San Sebastian, the city in Northern Spain near Garabandal. The visionary was Ramona Olazábal and her visions began on the feast of Mt. Carmel, July 16, 1931 at Ezkioga, Spain. (The BVM was identified at Garabandal as Our Lady of Mt. Carmel.)  The visions became popular and attracted crowds, but it was said they became corrupted by anti-clericalist Freemasons and were subsequently politicized. The apparitions were 

later condemned.  

Ezkioga

I found the following account after Googling Garabandal and Ezkioga.

As I was reading about this apparition, a curious fact grabbed my attention:

"Soon phenomena spread to such an extent that there were at least 250 official seers and many more who had lesser experiences in dozens of villages, especially in the town of Ezkioga, where visionaries saw Mary as the Sorrowful Mother, took down her messages, fell into strange rigid trances, or, eyes bulging and rolled back, held up religious items to be blessed.

The visions spread from Ezkioga east, west, and south as far as Orgiva.

Most striking were the prophecies: the apparitions at Ezkioga predicted chastising calamities for mankind, including a world war and three days in which the earth would be plunged into a horrendous darkness. There would also be a "great miracle" that would be seen at Ezkioga but noted in the entire world.

Some said the "great miracle" would be the Virgin appearing with three angels with a half moon at her feet and an extraordinary light that would cover the local mountain. Walls would materialize and from all four sides the Virgin would be seen. Saint Michael would appear on a white horse. "The miracle will begin at a quarter to five in the afternoon and will end at eleven at night," said one account. "The walls will remain as a sign for what has to be done in this place."

One seer said she knew the date of a chastisement and would be allowed to tell people eight days in advance. "Between the chastisement and the miracle there will be little time," she said. "The Virgin has told me which day the chastisement will be and which day the miracle, and I have declared it in writing to my confessor in sealed letters that he keeps, and on the envelope is indicated the day he may open them....

The visions spread from Ezkioga east, west, and south as far as Orgiva. 

Most striking were the prophecies: the apparitions at Ezkioga predicted chastising calamities for mankind, including a world war and three days in which the earth would be plunged into a horrendous darkness. There would also be a "great miracle" that would be seen at Ezkioga but noted in the entire world. 

Some said the "great miracle" would be the Virgin appearing with three angels with a half moon at her feet and an extraordinary light that would cover the local mountain. Walls would materialize and from all four sides the Virgin would be seen. Saint Michael would appear on a white horse. "The miracle will begin at a quarter to five in the afternoon and will end at eleven at night," said one account. "The walls will remain as a sign for what has to be done in this place." 

One seer said she knew the date of a chastisement and would be allowed to tell people eight days in advance. "Between the chastisement and the miracle there will be little time," she said. "The Virgin has told me which day the chastisement will be and which day the miracle, and I have declared it in writing to my confessor in sealed letters that he keeps, and on the envelope is indicated the day he may open them.... http://www.spiritdaily.net/ezkioga.htm

Eight days in advance? Now that is exactly what the seer at Garabandal has said. The fact that these two apparitions are linked geographically and also by this curious fact should be cause for concern for those who automatically assume that Garabandal is genuine. The fact is that the prediction of a great supernatural event which would be announced 8 days in advance was made FIRST at Ezkioga in the 1930s. It turns out that Ezkioga would end up being condemned. In fact, the history of Ezkioga is downright disturbing:

"In 1933 the local bishop, Mugica of Vitoria, condemned the apparitions, banned books about them, and even threatened excommunication if seers disobeyed. In 1934 the Vatican backed him up with a declaration of its own. Church authorities concluded that the apparitions -- or at least a good number of them -- were without merit or even demonic.

It was a region that had seen outbreaks of witchcraft in the 17th century, when wizards were intensely active, casting spells, causing infertility, and denying God and the Virgin Mary, whom the spirits mimicked. The center for witches was in the mountain range of Amboto, where it was said that a deity known as "la Dama" (the lady), patron of witches, lived in caves. The devil was also said to appear as both a black male goat and a man. - Richard, Marian Apparitions

Ezkioga

 This leads me to doubt the authenticity of the alleged apparitions at both Garabandal and Medjugorje.  I wonder why people give so much credence to these things, which can be so easily corrupted by literal interpretation and speculation, as well as the evil spirit and men with an agenda to discredit the Church.

Garabandal

I visited there on my way to Santiago.

Crackpots online promoting Bayside.

Claiming the Blessed Virgin warned us.

How did I miss this? Crackpots online are associating the Synod with dire prophesies issued in the so-called Bayside apparitions - which are absolutely false, BTW.  No matter how promoters try to convince readers they have yet to be approved.  They are preposterous.

I came across the following from David Martin on Eponymous Flower blog:

"While the Marian apparitions of *Bayside still await formal ecclesiastical sanction, it behooves Christian patriots to reflect on the Bayside message since it prophesied everything we see happening in the Church at this time."

Martin appears to be a promoter of Bayside.

Bayside was condemned by the local ordinary at the time:

"The Bayside apparition (“Our Lady of the Roses”) is totally and completely false. A Catholic should ignore it and have nothing to do with it or its literature. The supposed seer, the late Veronica Leuken, issued bizarre revelations and false prophesies that have not come to pass, such as the claim that “the Warning spoken of through the ages will occur in the year 1997.” This Warning—not to be confused with the Three Days of Darkness or the Chastisement that some speak of—”is the worldwide cataclysm predicted by little Jacinta Marto, the youngest of the three child-seers at Fatima.”

She also said Mary told her that test-tube babies do not have souls, a philosophically and theologically impossible proposition, since all living human beings have souls.

Furthermore, the late bishop of the diocese in which Veronica Leuken resided (Bishop John Mugavero) had repeatedly condemned the apparition as a fake. The condemnation remains in force. The full text of Mugavero’s 1986 declaration concerning the “Bayside Movement” can be found at www.ewtn.com." - Catholic Answers

I can't believe people would follow some crackpot, private revelation and use the 'messages' to reject the Pope. Bayside is a cult. Jacinta Marto didn't predict a worldwide cataclysm - Veronica claimed she did - but these fake messages are not part of the actual Fatima message. Bayside is absolutely ridiculous. What follows is an excerpt from the wacky messages concerning Jacinta:

"Jacinta of Fatima...
Veronica — Oh! Now by Our Lady there’s a great...oh, there’s a great light. And there...oh, oh, it’s Jacinta! I know her... now, and she’s pointing over to the trees. And she’s holding up one finger. She says:
Jacinta — "All has come true as I gave to you from Our Lady of the Roses, but Our Father still plans to bring you back. Everyone has so much in many things upon your earth, but yet they all look so unhappy. They are rich, and yet they are so poor.
"I have come to tell you of the poor Holy Father. I cried much for him. We love him, but man will destroy him now.
"Many little children are being destroyed on your earth. Our Father sends the angels to you, but you send them back to Us. It is only because Satan does not want a large army upon earth of Our Father’s children. Those that will be left will bring much grief and misery to the world, for they will be taken by Satan and used.
"I gave you the picture. I wrote on your picture. I did not know how to write much on earth, but I wrote. Our Father showed me how to write. Won’t you give everyone my picture? I want them to remember what I tried to tell them."
Veronica — Our Lady has now come over to Jacinta, and She’s placed Her arm about her. And there’s a little boy standing next to Jacinta. I know he’s Francisco. He has his hat off now. He’s standing with his hat, like a long cap, in his hand. And he’s smiling. (2-1-73)"

The 20th century is filled with stories of apparitions and private revelations, most are unapproved, many condemned, and those which are approved are usually simply designated as 'worthy of belief'.  Fatima is the exception, it's message archived by the Holy See, the official interpretation communicated there.

Several unknown, yet at the time popular sites of alleged apparitions, occurred after the Fatima events.  I like to remind readers of an alleged series of apparitions in 1931 which took place not far from San Sebastian, a city in Northern Spain near Garabandal. The visionary was Ramona Olazábal and her visions began on the feast of Mt. Carmel, July 16, 1931 at Ezkioga, Spain. The visions became popular and attracted crowds, but it was said they became corrupted by opportunistic Freemasons and were subsequently politicized. The apparitions were later condemned. You can read about them here.

The popular support of Ezkioga was also linked to anti-clerical factions, used in an effort to discredit the bishops. Not unlike today when we see the bishops and even the pope opposed in response to restrictions imposed upon claims of apparitions or private revelations.  Although now, we see Bayside and Garabandal used to discredit the Pope and recent Synods.  Catholics beware.

It seems some people are unhappy with the Pope.

Again.

Yesterday the Holy Father apologized for the theft and disposal in the Tiber of three Pachamama images, which had been on display in a Church not far from St. Peter's Square. 

According to a video of his remarks that made the rounds on social media, Francis said the statues had been displayed “without idolatry” in the Church of Santa Maria in Traspontina, located about halfway down the broad Via della Conciliazione that leads away from St. Peter’s Square.

Francis also added that Roman law enforcement officials have recovered the discarded statues and are holding them for the moment at a police station.

Friday’s apology caps what has been a month-long drama surrounding the statues, which first made an appearance during an Oct. 4 indigenous prayer service staged in the Vatican gardens in the presence of the pope. - Crux

People are attacking and mocking the Pope for this.  Many photo shopped memes have surfaced online, insulting the Holy Father and indigenous people.

You are always going to disappoint someone...

Yesterday I went to the doctor.

I posted about how fun it was on FB and included some of the more frustrating details for my friend. I forget how very sensitive FB friends can be. What follows is my post with an exchange between meself and me friend...

It was interesting. While involved with medical professionals this past week, many questions arose and for a couple of questions I simply responded, "I'm Catholic." Even when my Dr. had to ask about depression, one of the questions was about feeling suicidal and I said, "Nope. I'm Catholic." He knows me BTW - I've seen the same doctor since 1995.

Friend's comment:  Being Catholic doesn't make us immune from suicidal ideation and attempts. It's a devastating reality of the disease of mental illness. I've been there and I am convinced Jesus has so much mercy in this area because a "normal/healthy" person doesn't go down this path. It is part of the disease.

My response: It works for me. "You would play upon me. You would seem to know my stops. You would pluck out the heart of my mystery?" Listen Gina, it also puts an end to questions I consider a matter of conscience and for me alone to divulge to whom I choose and when I may or may not be seeking treatment for any sort of mental health issue. These questions are routine for adults my age - or so I'm told - I expect to comply with some Medicare or insurance regulation. It's just my personal response to a banal check list for my Internist Dr. who incidentally, couldn't give me a cortisone shot for severe arthritic knee pain before sending me to an Orthopedist, yet he can give me a script for off-label use of a psychotropic drug. 

Yesterday I went to the Dr. with real ailments, only to be referred to a specialist - it makes me crazy. 

Of course I know Catholics have episodes of suicidal ideation and attempt suicide. St Therese did. Nuns in India killed themselves. I know there is mercy for suicides and so on. It's a very human, rather common disease right now. Telling the Dr. 'I'm Catholic' was my 'sick' humor response - and he gets it. He's often told me in the past, being Catholic was my main problem - although I hope I convinced him it isn't being Catholic that poses a problem, it's the Inquisitors, the rigid, ideological Catholics who try to tell others how to live their lives. As the Pope said, 'There are many schools of rigidity in the Church - often masking serious problems, hiding something else.' Each of us can maybe ponder that in our heart.

Asking for prayers.

My friend is very sick.  Thanks.

Roman Catholic Politics of The Remnant

The Remnant describes this as a

 'Huge Vatican Event: Schneider, Burke speak during Amazon Synod.'

I'm getting burnt out by all of it.

Fr. Z is in the above photo, positioned in the front row, speaking with Cardinal Arinze.  Michael Matt is a friend of Fr. Z.

Calling this a huge Vatican Event is an overstatement, which had nothing to do with the synod.  It's a book launch.  "The launch of a new book-length interview of Bishop Athanasius Schneider that covers everything from the current pontificate, to Vatican II, to Archbishop Lefebvre's role in the resistance, to the Society of St. Pius X and even the role of Freemasonry."

This is politics.  They are contaminated by right-wing, political ideology - and they can be easily manipulated in and through what appears to be an inordinate attachment to big 'T' tradition.  It's as if they are forming a parallel magisterium.  (Not the Cardinals of course, just their 'promoters'.  What?)

Remember when Pedro Arrupe was removed as Superior General of the Jesuit Order by Pope John Paul II?

Servant of God, Pedro Arrupe, S.J.

Nope.

That's because he wasn't removed.  Servant of God Pedro Arrupe, S.J. was NOT removed by Pope St. John Paul II.  It is not at all true to say that, as some 'self-appointed, lay-authorities and gossips' online tell it.

Truth be told, "Arrupe suffered a stroke on Aug. 7, 1981, and soon after resigned as superior general, as his ability to speak quickly degenerated."

Were there troubles with his leadership?  Yes.  Both St. Paul VI and St. John Paul II had serious concerns with the Jesuit emphasis on social justice issues, as well as questionable doctrinal issues circulating within the order, but neither Pope called for Arrupe to resign, nor attempted to remove him from office.

Cardinal Sarah Corrects the Anti-Papist Catholic Fringe.

Sarah said that whoever is against the pope is outside the Church.

ROME - Guinean Cardinal Robert Sarah, prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Sacraments, said the people who portray him as an opponent of Pope Francis are being used by the devil to help divide the Church.

“The truth is that the Church is represented on earth by the vicar of Christ, that is by the pope. And whoever is against the pope is, ipso facto, outside the Church,” the cardinal said in an interview published Oct. 7 in Corriere della Sera, an Italian daily. - Finish reading here.

Hopefully this will help the anti-papist-Catholic-conspiracy-mongers to repent.

“I would add that every pope is right for his time.” - Cardinal Sarah

Our friend Mary, the author at Catholic In Brooklyn just posted a great essay contradicting the contentious anti-papist rhetoric originating at Mrs. Kreitzer's blog, Les Femmes, signalling out the post, "Anti-Pope. That's my final decision." Authored by Susan Matthiesen, a contributor to Krietzer's blog.  As Mary notes, "It is a complete and total renunciation of Pope Francis and denies the validity of his papacy."  Please read Mary's entire post, it is very well done.  Mary Ann Kreitzer, Who Are You Serving?

Cardinal Sarah would be proud of Mary for her defense of the papacy and offering fraternal correction to bloggers such as Kreitzer and Matthiesen:

“Those who place me in opposition to the Holy Father cannot present a single word of mine, a single phrase or a single attitude of mine to support their absurd - and I would say, diabolical - affirmations,” Sarah said. “The devil divides, sets people against each other.”

Sarah said it is normal for the Church to experiences difficulties and divisions, but every Christian is called “to seek unity in Christ.”

“I would add that every pope is right for his time,” the cardinal said. “Providence looks after us very well, you know.” - Crux

Yom Kippur

Yom Kippur

Dora Holzhandler (1928–2015)

This painting reminds me of the sketch representing the Ascent of Mt. Carmel made by St. John of the Cross.

Jonah

Today, Catholics read from the Book of Jonah, who happens to be an archetype for Yom Kippur.  In fact, the Book of Jonah is read every year, in its original Hebrew and in its entirety, on Yom Kippur.    Therefore, it seems to me we are spiritually united and can unite with the Jewish people this day in prayer and fasting. 

Al Chet

For the sin which we have committed before You under duress or willingly.

And for the sin which we have committed before You by hard-heartedness.

For the sin which we have committed before You inadvertently.

And for the sin which we have committed before You with an utterance of the lips.

For the sin which we have committed before You with immorality.

And for the sin which we have committed before You openly or secretly.

For the sin which we have committed before You with knowledge and with deceit.

And for the sin which we have committed before You through speech.

For the sin which we have committed before You by deceiving a fellowman.

And for the sin which we have committed before You by improper thoughts.

For the sin which we have committed before You by a gathering of lewdness.

And for the sin which we have committed before You by verbal [insincere] confession.

For the sin which we have committed before You by disrespect for parents and teachers.

And for the sin which we have committed before You intentionally or unintentionally.

For the sin which we have committed before You by using coercion.

And for the sin which we have committed before You by desecrating the Divine Name.

For the sin which we have committed before You by impurity of speech.

And for the sin which we have committed before You by foolish talk.

For the sin which we have committed before You with the evil inclination.

And for the sin which we have committed before You knowingly or unknowingly.

For all these, God of pardon, pardon us, forgive us, atone for us. - More here.

(The Al Chet can be a great source for the examination of conscience before confession.) 

Our Lady of the Rosary

Pray the Rosary everyday.

Today is the great feast of Our Lady of the Rosary, originating in thanksgiving for the defeat of the Turks at the Battle of Lepanto - which thrilled me as a little boy, 'knight of the Immaculata'!

Tradition tells us Our Lady gave the Rosary to S. Dominic as a means to evangelize those mislead by the Albigensian heresy. This is appropriate, as the Rosary is meditation upon the Creed - the mysteries of faith - which is what every heresy obscures.

At Fatima, Our Lady identified herself as Our Lady of the Rosary - and all that implies for our day - especially her request for the First Saturday devotion - with emphasis upon keeping her company while meditating up the mysteries of the Rosary - which, after long practice, one realizes is meditation upon the Creed. Our Lady, more or less deepening our faith in and through the lights she imparts as we do so.

It is she who conquers all heresies and it is she who obtains every grace and mercy for Christians, as well as those who seek God. There is no grace, nor mercy, ever refused through the prayers of the Rosary. Sr. Lucia went so far as to insist Our Lady wants everyone, Catholic and non-Catholic, to pray the Rosary every day. At every apparition Our Lady urged the Fatima children to pray the rosary every day.

Today we celebrate and honor the Madonna del Rosario with great devotion and ostentation - yet Caravaggio captured the essence of of Our Lady - Madonna del Popolo - Mother of all peoples, refuge of sinners, especially those most in need of mercy. He showed Our Lady in ordinary life, with ordinary and extraordinary people. St. Therese said she is more mother than queen, and I agree.

Our Lady of the Rosary, pray for us.

The Holy Father's Homily to the New Cardinals

Look at who is in the background.

(source)

At the heart of the Gospel, we have just heard (Mk 6:30-37) is the “compassion” of Jesus...

Once again, I'm perplexed by all the fears expressed by the Pope's critics, now watching him closely in Rome.  Fr. Z posted a sort of panicked Action Item post, stressing the gloom over-hanging Rome.  To tell you the truth, Z and his cronies, as well as a couple of Cardinals and Bishops, cast a blanket of doom over everything they witness in Rome and the Church.  Especially as regards the Amazon Synod.  They are all stocked up on crazy, fearing Masons and 'homosexualists' and all sorts of boogie men 'infiltrating' the Church to establish the New World Order.  I don't get it?  How did these scare tactics influence and overtake so many?

Yesterday the Holy Father appointed new Cardinals.  A joyous occasion, considering the new Cardinals are not the typical, expected choices - a diverse bunch.  Critics interpret the Pope's appointments the way they assess the Presidents choices for advisers or appointees to the courts.  It is an attitude which lacks a supernatural perspective, judging as human beings, rather than as God judges. 

Jesus goes out in search of the outcast, those without hope. 

The Pope's homily reveals so much about the Holy father himself, and his ardent desire to make known the merciful love of God - his compassion for ourselves as well as the most alienated.  When I read his words, it seems to me I hear the Gospel and then everything falls into place - everything the Pope says or does makes sense in the light of Christ. 

At the heart of the Gospel, we have just heard (Mk 6:30-37) is the “compassion” of Jesus (cf. 34). Compassion is a keyword in the Gospel. It is written in Christ’s heart; it is forever written in the heart of God.

In the Gospels, we often see Jesus’ compassion for those who are suffering. The more we read, the more we contemplate, the more we come to realize that the Lord’s compassion is not an occasional, sporadic emotion, but is steadfast and indeed seems to be the attitude of his heart, in which God’s mercy is made incarnate.

Jesus goes out in search of the outcast, those without hope. People like the man paralyzed for thirty-eight years who lay beside the pool of Bethzatha, waiting in vain for someone to bring him to the waters (cf. Jn 5:1-9).

Jesus’ disciples often show themselves lacking compassion, as in this case, when they are faced with the problem of having to feed the crowds. In effect, they say: “Let them worry about it themselves…” This is a common attitude among us human beings, even those of us who are religious persons or even religious “professionals”. The position we occupy is not enough to make us compassionate, as we see in the conduct of the priest and Levite who, seeing a dying man on the side of the road, pass to the other side (cf. Lk 10:31-32). They would have thought: “It’s not up to me”. There are always justifications; at times they are even codified and give rise to “institutional disregard”, as was the case with lepers: “Of course, they have to keep their distance; that is the right thing to do”. This all too human attitude also generates structures lacking compassion. - Finish reading here.

As the Holy Father said:  "At the heart of the Gospel, we have just heard (Mk 6:30-37) is the “compassion” of Jesus ..."  So - is Jeus going to abandon us then?  Is he going to desert the Church?  What is wrong with those who reject His Vicar, those who slander and calumniate the Holy Father?  There are Catholics online who call him a monster, a pig, and an assortment of other derisive names, even suggesting he is possessed, a heretic, an anti-pope.  Those who reject him, reject Christ.

Pray for the Holy Father.  

St. Francis of Assisi

St, Francis before the Pope

Giovanni Gasparro

Humility and obedience.

He loved poverty and was poor, wandering about in rough penitent cloth.

He loved chastity, and was chaste, once throwing himself in a thicket of thorns to resist temptation.

He loved obedience, humbling himself before bishops, fallen priests, and the Lord Pope.

He loved Jesus Crucified, sharing in his passion, showing the Holy Wounds to a world grown cold.

He said once unto his companion: “I esteem not myself to be a Brother Minor unless I be in the state that I shall describe unto thee. Lo now, I suppose me to be one set in authority over the Brethren; I go unto the Chapter, I preach unto the Brethren and exhort them, and at the end they speak against me, saying: “Thou mislikest us, for that thou art unlettered, slow of speech, a fool, and simple,” and thus I am cast forth with reviling, little esteemed of all. I tell thee,—unless I can hear such words with unchanged countenance, with unchanged gladness of spirit and unchanged holy intent,—I am vainly called a Brother Minor.” And he added, “In exalted place there is the fear of fall, in praises a precipice, in the humility of a submissive spirit there is profit. Why then do we look for perils rather than profits, when we have had time bestowed on us that we may make profit therein?”

From this same reason of humility, Francis was minded that his Brethren should be called by the name of Minors, and that the rulers of his Order should be called Ministers, that thus he might employ the very words of the Gospel that he had vowed to observe, and that his followers might learn from their very name that they had come to learn humility in the school of the humble Christ. For that Teacher of humility, Christ Jesus, when He would teach His disciples what was perfect humility, said: “Whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; and whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant.” - St. Bonaventure

I get emails.

I have no authority, no office to speak for the Pope or the Church...

A good friend of the blog expressed concern over my recent postings, as well as my post poking fun at Voris.  I share my response publicly, since I know others most likely have similar concerns.

Thanks for letting me know your concerns – I removed the Michael Voris post. 

I don’t think I have changed much at all, but I’m deeply disappointed with the numerous critics taking jabs at the Pope and suggesting he is tainted by heresy. Your friend’s post is just fine, I feel sorry she takes offense at what the Holy Father says and feels insulted. I don’t understand how anyone would take what he says as an insult? He speaks from great experience and years of study and discernment, so if a good man reprimands someone, it is indeed a kindness, as one of the psalms tells us. 

I don’t hang on his every word he says, especially if what is said finds no application in my life.  To my knowledge, he has never contradicted the teaching of the Church – or changed any doctrine. He’s obviously shares his experience of opening doors and helping people ‘untie the knots’ of their particular state in life. What he says and does privately is known to him and the soul he is dealing with. It’s private, unless a person discloses something the Pope told him. Then, it is the person’s interpretation being repeated, not necessarily what the Pope actually said. Likewise, it is not any of my business. 

I do get tired of all the attacks against the Holy Father and will post about them, as well as post the good things the Pope does. My moral life, my faith, and my obedience has not changed. I adhere to Catholic teaching and I trust the Holy Spirit guides the Church. We have good bishops who speak about their concerns publicly, which sometimes feeds into a negative POV among the reactionary segments of laity and clergy - who are confused by social media and press reports – esp. concerning the upcoming synod. Yet they are good bishops who have made their concerns known to the Holy Father. The Holy Father knows about these concerns, and in good faith, I trust he is working towards a solution - in his own way.

Good to hear from you! You know I never mind it when people delete me from their links – it’s always a grace – for both parties – I hope. I have no authority, no office to speak for the Pope or the Church - I simply log my personal opinion and experiences.

Wishing you a lovely feast day of the Angels!

Removed

I removed a post. 

I featured a photo of Michael Voris in a blonde wig and a muscle shirt working in the cafe of the hotel he was staying at in Rome.  Some people didn't get the humor, others were offended.  So I removed the post.

Michael Voris and Church Militant is not a go-to news source for me.  Never has been.  It's a site structured on gossip and harassment of bishops.  It's a Catholic tabloid.  Now that Voris and crew have turned on the Pope, I think it is fortunate that they were forced to remove the word Catholic from their brand.

I made a mistake, thinking it amusing that the broadcast is anchored by an older guy in a blond hairpiece, with white side-burns, dressed in shirts to show off his physique.  I just do not take the reporting seriously, and when the anchor tries to be so hip, he becomes a sort of parody of  himself. Maybe I'm jealous?  That's probably it.

I will try to be more charitable.

The Essential Therese...

"I am resigned to being always imperfect, and I even find happiness in it.  

I keep an eye on myself to see if I can discover any new imperfections." 

- Therese to Mother Agnes of Jesus

"I will come down..."

I post these thoughts on St. Therese over and over.  For me the secret of St. Therese is her consent to be found at the 'table of sinners'.  She expressed that desire in the depths of her dark night, her trial of temptations against faith before she died. In that abject state, she experienced the faithlessness of the atheist, the bitter taste of rancor of the unbeliever, even the hollow, vacuous, hopelessness of those who hate the faith. Like her Master, "who had not known sin, yet became sin," thus she, who was innocent (as she had been once assured she had never committed a mortal sin), became sin, as it were. Not in the exact same sense of Christ of course, but she shared, or imitated His redemptive suffering in and through that experience... seated with Christ crucified, at the table of sinners.

Even if I had all the crimes possible on my conscience, I am sure I should lose none of my confidence. Heartbroken with repentance, I would simply throw myself into my Savior's arms, for I know how much He loves the prodigal son. I have heard what He said to Mary Magdalene, to the woman taken in adultery, and the Samaritan woman. No one can make me frightened any more, because I know what to believe about His mercy and His love; I know that in the twinkling of an eye all those thousands of sins would be consumed as a drop of water cast into a blazing fire. - Story of A Soul

"While Jesus was at table many tax collectors and sinners sat with Jesus and his disciples; for there were many who followed him... " - Mark 2: 13-17

Ordinary people complain that they lack her innocence, that they lack her love, that all they find in themselves is misery and the awful despair of knowing they are too sinful to attain the heights of sanctity. Yet it is precisely for those of us who find ourselves powerless and unfaithful, "miserated" by our selfish self indulgence and sin, who attract Therese and are most fitted to her little way. We do not have to worry about merit or accomplishments to attract her patronage, or much more, to attract the merciful love of God. This is what Little Therese teaches and demonstrates in her little way of confidence and love. It is our misery which attracts the divine mercy. It is our sins and our faults which so attracts God that he sent his only Son to be crucified for our sins. Therefore, who can not trust in merciful love when one is vulnerable enough, humble enough, to be embraced by it? The mystery is so deep, so wide.

Whoever is a little one, let him come to me... seated at the table of sinners.

I have so much trouble trying to express these things, but I'm convinced that St. Therese is much more the patron saint of sinners than she is anything else. It is almost like saying that Jesus Christ is the God of sinners as far as he made himself the bread of sinners, likewise he ate and drank with them, and most certainly, he came to call sinners, not the righteous... the Gospel proclaims that, and so does the life of St. Therese.

The Attraction of Traditionalism.

The Traditionalist Network.

I've been thinking and reading articles filled with ominous anticipation over the Pan Amazon Synod.  Lay people are gathering in Rome to pray for the protection of St. Michael against diabolic manipulation of the synod.  Likewise priests are praying a special exorcism prayer on the eve of the feast of St. Michael - praying at a special time, and priests around the world are invited to join in.  I'm not sure who initiated these things, but it surely can't hurt to pray in this way.  It's a good thing, very similar to Cardinal Burke and Bishop Schneider's initiative to pray the rosary and fast for the Church before the synod.  Nothing wrong with that.

I just do not understand the sense of panic which seems to underlie these efforts.  It seems to me many are projecting fears and suspicions onto the synod based on the working draft, or proposals to be discussed.  It seems to me all the conspiracy theories and contention since the Vatican Council is reaching a crescendo these days.

I'm always curious as to how and why this came to be.  I've been reading some of the rad-trad sites and linking together much of the post-conciliar-anti-papal propaganda.  What attracts faithful Catholics to these 'movements'?  They are movements within the Church, not schismatic groups, but rather close to schism.  They are well funded in both North and South America.

Traditionalists forming a remnant.

I think people - even people like me - are attracted to the traditional devotions these groups embody.  I have gone to some of their websites to get information on saints and the Blessed Virgin under her various titles.  Their literature is very good.  They also supply prayers and devotionals no longer in usage among contemporary Catholics.  Their devotion to Fatima and the Rosary is a sort of imprimatur that their apostolate is indeed faithful to the Holy Father and the Magisterium.  They also attract many devout Catholics because they are actively pro-life and against such things as same sex marriage.  They demonstrate and are often more aggressive in these apostolates than some other groups.  They are also very much - even literally - cloaked in religion.  It is related to clericalism, which Pope Francis so often warns against, stating more recently:  "Clericalism confuses priestly 'service' with priestly 'power.'"  (Therefore, is it any wonder these types resist the Holy Father?)

Plinio Corrêa de Oliveira 1968

Christopher White, writing for Crux covers it better than I could, although thanks to his article, I've researched sources I've long been familiar with, connecting the dots of conspiracy theory and anti-papal propaganda.  In covering the resistance, White identifies one source for the anti-synod propaganda:  "The Pan-Amazon Synod Watch, which was created by the Plinio Corrêa de Oliveira Institute (IPCO) and its “sister organizations,” the right-wing Societies for the Defense of Tradition, Family and Property (TFP)."

Before reading his article, I wasn't aware of the site - Pan-Amazon Synod Watch.  The name of the site is reminiscent of the sede site, "Novus Ordo Watch" - a site I believe many of the rad-trad sites are in agreement with.  TFP and its 'affiliates' is a network which has been operating since the Council, and the influence of Plinio Corrêa de Oliveira cannot be underestimated.

The Godfather of the Synod Resistance

Oliveira is in many ways the godfather of the resistance to the Amazon synod; he was just as much a critic of Pope John Paul II’s outreach to the indigenous communities of the region as his organization is of Pope Francis today.

At age 24, Oliveira became the youngest congressman in the history of Brazil. After creating the Catholic Electoral League to mobilize traditionalist Catholics, he was a trenchant critic of the pan-continental bishops’ organization created in the 1950s, the Latin American Episcopal Council (CELAM).

Oliveira was in Rome in the 1960s during the Second Vatican Council and described it as “a point in history as sad as the Death of Our Lord.” In 1985, the Brazilian bishops rejected the movement for its “lack of communion … with the Church in Brazil, its hierarchy, and the Holy Father.”

Father Dário Bossi, provincial superior of the Comboni Missionaries in Brazil, who has worked in the Brazilian Amazon region of Maranhão for over a decade, told Crux that Oliveira had a “fascist ideology” and that TFP is “an elite movement, which has never been in communion with the Brazilian episcopate.”

In particular, Oliveira did not hide his disdain for indigenous Catholics, whom he saw as incompletely converted pagans. - Christopher White

Restoring the aristocratic.

It's a bit disconcerting, since some Cardinals and Bishops are persuaded by the ideology underlying many of these groups and movements.  For instance, the Fatima Crusader founder, Father Gruner and those linked to him, promoted ideas concerning Fatima and the infiltration of the Vatican which have almost become mainstream these days.  Even Cardinal Burke seems to be influenced by some of the more radical ideas these groups have promoted over the years - such as the need to do the Consecration of Russia over again..  How many people follow TFP and Tradition in Action, or who read The Remnant and their contributors, have any idea what a propaganda machine these sites have become.

Tradition In Action and Fr. Gruner's movement promoted the absurd claim Sr. Lucia had been replaced by a double.  Similarly, Bayside and other fringe groups connected with it, promoted the incredible story of Pope Paul VI replaced by a double.  Fake news reigns with these rad-trad groups and has influenced and corrupted good priests and religious, as well as bishops. I think we are witnessing that today.

Anyway - I've spent too much time on this, but perhaps others more capable can expose the 'network' behind all of this - hidden behind the baroque facade of traditional devotion, splendid vestments, and the Extraordinary Form.

Mgr João Scognamiglio Clá Dias.

Founder of Heralds of the Gospel,

an off shoot of TFP.

(All photos are Heralds of the Gospel images.)

The little seminarian martyr and the saturno...

Blessed Rolando Rivi.

After reading about the young saint, I felt a deeper appreciation of the traditional garb of priests, the cassock and saturno. In 1944 after the German invasion of Italy, the seminaries were closed. A young seminarian Rolando Maria Rivi returned home, yet continued to wear his cassock, insisting "I am studying to be a priest and the cassock is the sign that I belong to Jesus.”

Despite anticlerical sentiment in his area, Rolando wore the outward sign that he was still a seminarian and candidate for the priesthood. The cassock with the saturno was the ordinary form of dress for seminarians at that time. [Bl. Rolando's example reminded me of another young martyr, Bl. Isidore Bakanja, the Africa Scapular martyr - when his persecutors ordered him to remove his scapular, Isidore refused and was severely flogged.]

I continue to have a deeper respect for priests and seminarians who choose to wear the cassock, or wear it because it is the custom in the diocese they serve. It is a wonderful witness.

It seems to me when the Pope expresses criticism of some of those who adopt the traditional clerical garb, he is warning against 'vain rejoicing' in the clerical status, if you will. For instance, if a priest layers expensive clothing upon his ordinary clerical-wear, and models and parades about to impress others with his taste and style and the expense of fine tailoring, that's vain and narcissistic - not unlike the ostentatious behavior of a Pharisee. When the Pope is critical of such things, he's not unlike the spiritual director who offers precautions against vain rejoicing in natural and spiritual goods.

That said - it doesn't concern me, but I think it's weird how people get so offended by what the Pope says about these things. Perhaps there is something for them to be learned from it, that is if they feel so insulted by it?  Why do they think the Pope is talking about them?

Some priests seem to want to use the saturno as a sort of assault weapon in reaction to the Pope and the ordinary form of things in the Church. E.g. Fr. Z has teamed up once again with a Catholic supply company to offer saturnos to seminarians and priests, as well as providing information on how to fund the project, urging seminarians to order now. It's a harmless little protest - but it's part of the resistance and rejection of Pope Francis.

Blessed Rolando, pray for us, pray for the Pope.

An account of the martyrdom of Blessed Rolando.

On April 10, 1945, Rolando was taken by a group of Communist insurgents, who forced him to go with them into the woods.

Friday, April 13, 1945, after three days of torture and humiliation, the insurgents brought him to a forest in the village of Piane di Monchio, where there was already a grave dug. It was about 3:00 in the afternoon. They hurled him to the ground and then forced him to kneel on the edge of the grave. Before they killed him, Rolando asked for – and was granted – a moment to pray for his parents. Even then, he reaffirmed his belonging to Christ. The Communist insurgents then murdered him with two shots of the pistol. He was fourteen years old.