The question that I added at the end of my first post of thoughts on the topic of predestination has bothered me. It seems 'impious' to assert that the fall of Adam was inevitable. Yet, it did happen, and with limited intellectual capabilities, such speculation is beyond man.
Was it 'necessary' that God should create the universe? Certainly not. Creation did not 'emanate' from Him, under some form of compulsion. The Lord freely chose to bring the earth and her inhabitants into existence ex nihilo. In other words, He would have lost nothing of His goodness and glory should He have chosen differently.
In His wisdom, He, from all eternity, decided to allow man to share in the divine trinitarian life and manifest His glory.
So it was with the fall of man. We could say, under certain conditions, that the fall was inevitable as God had foreseen it occurring in time and space and permitted it. The divine will is not directionless, it rests upon the divine intellect, otherwise He would love what He does not comprehend.
Such a good as the Incarnation of the Logos outweighed the evil of man, which God has permitted to bring men to sanctity. It may appear unfathomable that so many souls should perish so that this great good could occur, yet God is not unjust. Those who sin, do so willingly.
Another question that has troubled me, as well as giving me a source of joy, is that I exist in a particular time and place. I, although born outwith the Church, was led to her relatively young, and the Good Lord protected me until that moment. He could have placed me with a Muslim family, rather than a religiously indifferent one. I could have been given to light before the birth of our Lord. I could have not even been created at all. I can only be thankful that He in His mercy has placed me within His Church, outwith her, no man can be saved. Why did He do this? I do not know. I can not repay Him, but I must return myself wholeheartedly. When one is given much, much is expected.
Thursday, 29 July 2010
Saint Martha - 3 Cl.
Virgin
Martha, sister of Mary Magdalen and Lazarus, lived at Bethany a humble active life. She often gave hospitality to our Lord. According to one account they ended their days at Marseilles - St. Lazarus as Bishop, St. Mary Madgalen as anchoress, St. Martha as head of a small community of women.
Collect:
Hear us, O God, our Saviour: and as we rejoice in the feast of blessed Martha, Thy Virgin: so we may learn a filial devotion to Thee. Through our Lord...
'With thy comeliness and thy beauty set out, proceed prosperously, and reign'
'Hearken, O daughter, and see, and incline thine ear: for the King hath greatly desired thy beauty'.
More Thoughts
I have become a firm believer in the truth that nothing occurs on this earth that God does not will, or at least permits. As He is of His essence just and good, all things are ordered to His glory in His Wisdom. Yet, it seems that there are particular occurances that are 'neutral', things that simply happen, which adds nothing to God's manifestation of His glory. What purpose does it serve that a bug is trampled upon, that a particular trashy novel is written or what colour t-shirt I decide to wear to the beach?
The theory that there are 'neutral' happenings, which God passes over without much acknowledgement or design does not sit well with me. However, in our current state, with a limited cognitive faculty, such a mystery baffles us. Even though, it 'appears' that no reason exists, a divine ordering must not be ruled out merely because of that.
The theory that there are 'neutral' happenings, which God passes over without much acknowledgement or design does not sit well with me. However, in our current state, with a limited cognitive faculty, such a mystery baffles us. Even though, it 'appears' that no reason exists, a divine ordering must not be ruled out merely because of that.
Latin Doctor Quote Of The Day
Pope Saint Gregory the Great:
'Let no one take on him the office of preacher unless he loves his hearers'
Comment: In the patristic era, preaching was not mere communication, but an art form. Beauty was expressed but was often tinged with vanity and ambition. The preacher today faces a similar difficulty. Too frequently, our priests settle for the acceptance of the crowd, not by an exquisite turn of phrase, but by appealing to their preconceived notions and expectations. The preacher no longer challenges his congregation to become as holy as the Father is holy, but offers words of 'kindness' and 'consolation.
Let no preacher today fall into such a trap. He will answer for the souls he has touched, or failed to, at his death.
Renovamini spiritu mentis vestrae...
'Be ye renewed in the spirit of your mind...'
I have written previously how conversion entails a rejection and an embrace, a denial and a welcome. As our Holy Father has spoken many times about, the Christian life is not simply the result of a lofty idea or an ethical commitment, but fundamentally an encounter with God Who comes to us in the Person of Christ, the Logos.
To believe in Christ does not cease at an intellectual concept, but a truth that affects your entire being so that you may be prostrate at the feet of Jesus and exclaim with Thomas, 'Dominus meus et Deus meus'. To 'put on the new man', requires an abandonment of the legacy and corruption of the first Adam, and a union with the heavenly Man, the Second Adam. Saint Mary Magdalene mistook our Divine Lord for the gardener, and He is certainly the one Who tills the ground of our souls, so that they make produce fruit to a harvest of eternal life.
The fundamental orientation of our lives is transformed, exalted and brought to their intended purpose. Such is the identification with Christ, the believer, the member of His Mystical Body must be able to say, 'I live, yet it is not I, but Christ that lives in me'. We must have the same mind as Christ Who did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, assuming the condition of a slave and dwelling among us. Before, we pursued riches, acknowledgement, pleasure and luxury, yet now, our food must be, as was Christ's, to do the Father's will. If one is acknowledged by God as a just son, who could condemn him? We must 'put on the new man', characterised by humility, gentleness, patience, sacrificial love and hope. The days are evil, yet through faith, we can understand their purpose, an opportunity to sanctify ourselves in the midst of trial. However, such a pilgrimage is not without joy. We have a hope stored up for us in heaven, where no moth can eat away at, where no thief can break in and steal. Our hope is in the name of the Lord, Who made heaven and earth. Let us make merry with spiritual canticles, imbued with the power of the Holy Spirit Who transforms us into His likeness, so that we may participate more fully in the divine nature by grace.
He who eats the flesh of the Lord lives in Him as He lives by the Father. He who receives of the Spirit is transformed into love.
There is much to be done. Man not only wars against his enemies and persecutors. But against his own flesh, yet if the Lord had not been on our side, such trials would have drowned and overwhelmed us. Mortification must occur where we beat not the air but hammer the body into obeying the soul, yet this must take place with a joyful and childlike trust in the goodness and mercy of God. Recourse to prayer must be unceasing, a cry from the heart to the Father, so that the divine likeness may be regained by appealing to the archtype.
Let the life of Christ, penetrate the depths of your being, let no intch be unconsecrated to Our Divine Redeemer. He thirsts for all of man and every man.
I have written previously how conversion entails a rejection and an embrace, a denial and a welcome. As our Holy Father has spoken many times about, the Christian life is not simply the result of a lofty idea or an ethical commitment, but fundamentally an encounter with God Who comes to us in the Person of Christ, the Logos.
To believe in Christ does not cease at an intellectual concept, but a truth that affects your entire being so that you may be prostrate at the feet of Jesus and exclaim with Thomas, 'Dominus meus et Deus meus'. To 'put on the new man', requires an abandonment of the legacy and corruption of the first Adam, and a union with the heavenly Man, the Second Adam. Saint Mary Magdalene mistook our Divine Lord for the gardener, and He is certainly the one Who tills the ground of our souls, so that they make produce fruit to a harvest of eternal life.
The fundamental orientation of our lives is transformed, exalted and brought to their intended purpose. Such is the identification with Christ, the believer, the member of His Mystical Body must be able to say, 'I live, yet it is not I, but Christ that lives in me'. We must have the same mind as Christ Who did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, assuming the condition of a slave and dwelling among us. Before, we pursued riches, acknowledgement, pleasure and luxury, yet now, our food must be, as was Christ's, to do the Father's will. If one is acknowledged by God as a just son, who could condemn him? We must 'put on the new man', characterised by humility, gentleness, patience, sacrificial love and hope. The days are evil, yet through faith, we can understand their purpose, an opportunity to sanctify ourselves in the midst of trial. However, such a pilgrimage is not without joy. We have a hope stored up for us in heaven, where no moth can eat away at, where no thief can break in and steal. Our hope is in the name of the Lord, Who made heaven and earth. Let us make merry with spiritual canticles, imbued with the power of the Holy Spirit Who transforms us into His likeness, so that we may participate more fully in the divine nature by grace.
He who eats the flesh of the Lord lives in Him as He lives by the Father. He who receives of the Spirit is transformed into love.
There is much to be done. Man not only wars against his enemies and persecutors. But against his own flesh, yet if the Lord had not been on our side, such trials would have drowned and overwhelmed us. Mortification must occur where we beat not the air but hammer the body into obeying the soul, yet this must take place with a joyful and childlike trust in the goodness and mercy of God. Recourse to prayer must be unceasing, a cry from the heart to the Father, so that the divine likeness may be regained by appealing to the archtype.
Let the life of Christ, penetrate the depths of your being, let no intch be unconsecrated to Our Divine Redeemer. He thirsts for all of man and every man.
Wednesday, 28 July 2010
July 28
Ss. Nazarius and Celsus, Martyrs
St Victor I, Pope, Martyr
St Innocent I, Pope, Confessor. - 3 Cl.
Nazarius and his disciple Celsus are two Milanese martyrs. They were beheaded A.D. 67.
Victor, successor of St. Eleutherius, was martyred under Septimus Severus A.D. 199.
Having, like his contemporaries St Jerome and St Augustine, fought with his pen and his eloquence for the teaching of Christ, St Innocent, the successor of St Athanasius, died A.D. 417.
Collect:
May the blessed martyrdom of Thy saints Naziarus, Celsus, Victor and Innocent be our defence, and may it graciously win for us help in our weakness. Through our Lord Jesus Christ...
'God rendered to the just the wages of their labours...'
Comment: The Christian is not opposed to the world, yet he finds the truth he believes in and molds his life around is vigorously hated by the world. Nowadays, our opponents will act in subtle ways to fight the Faith. Satan is not so foolish that he believes the Faith can be defeated through such violent means. He appeals to our sense of 'goodness'. They will appear to be rational, reasonable, devoted to upholding liberty and justice. For too long, we have allowed them to promote errors, while we suck up their doctrines voluntarily, all in the name of fairness. Let us awaken as much is at stake here.
St Victor I, Pope, Martyr
St Innocent I, Pope, Confessor. - 3 Cl.
Nazarius and his disciple Celsus are two Milanese martyrs. They were beheaded A.D. 67.
Victor, successor of St. Eleutherius, was martyred under Septimus Severus A.D. 199.
Having, like his contemporaries St Jerome and St Augustine, fought with his pen and his eloquence for the teaching of Christ, St Innocent, the successor of St Athanasius, died A.D. 417.
Collect:
May the blessed martyrdom of Thy saints Naziarus, Celsus, Victor and Innocent be our defence, and may it graciously win for us help in our weakness. Through our Lord Jesus Christ...
'God rendered to the just the wages of their labours...'
Comment: The Christian is not opposed to the world, yet he finds the truth he believes in and molds his life around is vigorously hated by the world. Nowadays, our opponents will act in subtle ways to fight the Faith. Satan is not so foolish that he believes the Faith can be defeated through such violent means. He appeals to our sense of 'goodness'. They will appear to be rational, reasonable, devoted to upholding liberty and justice. For too long, we have allowed them to promote errors, while we suck up their doctrines voluntarily, all in the name of fairness. Let us awaken as much is at stake here.
Canadian Anglicans to Swim the Tiber
From Catholic News Agency
Vancouver, Canada, Jul 28, 2010 / 01:10 am (CNA).- ''With “overwhelming support,” a recent meeting of leaders in the Anglican Catholic Church of Canada (ACCC) voted to unite with the Roman Catholic Church through the Apostolic Constitution created by Pope Benedict XVI.
The ACCC, part of the Continuing Anglican Movement, is made up of more than two dozen congregations. Its Eighth Provincial Synod and Thirteenth Diocesan Synod were held simultaneously at the Rosemary Heights Retreat Center in Surrey, British Columbia.
The website VirtueOnline.org published a letter from Dean Shane B. Janzen detailing the event.
The meeting was attended by four ACCC bishops, including Bishop Peter Wilkinson, the communion’s Metropolitan and Ordinary. Archbishop John Hepworth, the Australia-based Primate of the Traditional Anglican Communion (TAC), was also present.
The discussion included the House of Clergy and the House of Laity and focused on the implementation of a proposed Canadian Anglican Catholic Ordinariate under the Apostolic Constitution “Anglicanorum Coetibus.”
Support for the Ordinariate was unanimous in the House of Clergy and received 25 of 30 votes from lay delegates, with two members opposing the proposal and three abstaining.
The synod then passed a resolution enabling Bishop Wilkinson, with the advice and consent of the Provincial Council, to enact the necessary canonical ordinances and rules to establish the Ordinariate.
The House of Clergy elected members of the Interim Governing Council, which nominated and elected Bishop Wilkinson as the first Bishop Ordinary of the proposed Ordinariate.
According to Dean Janzen’s letter, the Diocesan Council also made financial changes to ensure that the diocese’s restricted funds are protected from “any potential litigation.”
Dean Janzen wrote that the focus of the synod was “the worship and praise of Almighty God; the proclamation of Christ's saving Truth; and faithful witness to the faith, order and discipline to Christ's one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church.”
He reported that attendees left with “a renewed sense of optimism for the future and a clear vision for the present.”
“With the overwhelming support of clergy and laity for unity with the See of Peter and the establishment of a Canadian Anglican Catholic Ordinariate, our Diocese is now able to move forward united, renewed, and hopeful,” his letter read, according to VirtueOnline.''
Let us pray for these soon to be Catholics that they will bring their zeal for the Faith to their brothers. These will be true Catholics, of the Latin Church, contary to the assertion of the media that they will be some kind of 'half-Anglican, half Roman Catholic'. Let us hope that many will follow them...
Sancta Maria, Mater Ecclesiae, Ora Pro Nobis
Vancouver, Canada, Jul 28, 2010 / 01:10 am (CNA).- ''With “overwhelming support,” a recent meeting of leaders in the Anglican Catholic Church of Canada (ACCC) voted to unite with the Roman Catholic Church through the Apostolic Constitution created by Pope Benedict XVI.
The ACCC, part of the Continuing Anglican Movement, is made up of more than two dozen congregations. Its Eighth Provincial Synod and Thirteenth Diocesan Synod were held simultaneously at the Rosemary Heights Retreat Center in Surrey, British Columbia.
The website VirtueOnline.org published a letter from Dean Shane B. Janzen detailing the event.
The meeting was attended by four ACCC bishops, including Bishop Peter Wilkinson, the communion’s Metropolitan and Ordinary. Archbishop John Hepworth, the Australia-based Primate of the Traditional Anglican Communion (TAC), was also present.
The discussion included the House of Clergy and the House of Laity and focused on the implementation of a proposed Canadian Anglican Catholic Ordinariate under the Apostolic Constitution “Anglicanorum Coetibus.”
Support for the Ordinariate was unanimous in the House of Clergy and received 25 of 30 votes from lay delegates, with two members opposing the proposal and three abstaining.
The synod then passed a resolution enabling Bishop Wilkinson, with the advice and consent of the Provincial Council, to enact the necessary canonical ordinances and rules to establish the Ordinariate.
The House of Clergy elected members of the Interim Governing Council, which nominated and elected Bishop Wilkinson as the first Bishop Ordinary of the proposed Ordinariate.
According to Dean Janzen’s letter, the Diocesan Council also made financial changes to ensure that the diocese’s restricted funds are protected from “any potential litigation.”
Dean Janzen wrote that the focus of the synod was “the worship and praise of Almighty God; the proclamation of Christ's saving Truth; and faithful witness to the faith, order and discipline to Christ's one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church.”
He reported that attendees left with “a renewed sense of optimism for the future and a clear vision for the present.”
“With the overwhelming support of clergy and laity for unity with the See of Peter and the establishment of a Canadian Anglican Catholic Ordinariate, our Diocese is now able to move forward united, renewed, and hopeful,” his letter read, according to VirtueOnline.''
Let us pray for these soon to be Catholics that they will bring their zeal for the Faith to their brothers. These will be true Catholics, of the Latin Church, contary to the assertion of the media that they will be some kind of 'half-Anglican, half Roman Catholic'. Let us hope that many will follow them...
Sancta Maria, Mater Ecclesiae, Ora Pro Nobis
New Day
The Servant of God Archbishop Sheen used to say that there are two types of people in this life, those who wake up and say, 'Good morning God' and those who utter,' good God, morning'.
For many, the sound of the alarm clock is a hideous reminder of the grind of daily life and its incessant demands. Yet, such is a gift. Often we are given items that we do not know what to do with. They occupy space in the cupboard or under the stairs, gathering dust.
Each of us is gifted with a life - one only and after death comes judgement - to glory God and save our soul. The buzz of the alarm clock is your opportunity to either grow in sanctity and/or finally cast off the works of the flesh. A chance for conversion or further holiness.
In what condition would you be, if the Lord had thrown down fire from heaven a few years ago? He has spared you, and with good reason. His patience is your opportunity to repent. Who knows, tomorrow, you may not wake up to that sound that has irritated you for so long...
For many, the sound of the alarm clock is a hideous reminder of the grind of daily life and its incessant demands. Yet, such is a gift. Often we are given items that we do not know what to do with. They occupy space in the cupboard or under the stairs, gathering dust.
Each of us is gifted with a life - one only and after death comes judgement - to glory God and save our soul. The buzz of the alarm clock is your opportunity to either grow in sanctity and/or finally cast off the works of the flesh. A chance for conversion or further holiness.
In what condition would you be, if the Lord had thrown down fire from heaven a few years ago? He has spared you, and with good reason. His patience is your opportunity to repent. Who knows, tomorrow, you may not wake up to that sound that has irritated you for so long...
Some Thoughts
Recently I have been thinking about the topic of predestination. Such a mystery can not be exhausted, therefore my meditations have been cloudy on this issues, yet something has struck me in the past few days. I had previously agreed with the position of Saint Thomas that the Incarnation of the Logos would not have occured if mankind had not sinned as He was sent to heal the sick. However, from all eternity the Lord was aware that His rational creatures on earth would turn from Him, and He permitted it. It is untenable to assert that this sin was desirable, not per se, however, in His inscrutable Wisdom, the Father has brought about a greater good by sending His Son. A thought occured to me that the sin of Adam truly was a 'felix culpa', where at the appointed the Eternal Creator assumes flesh and dwells among us.
I truly accepted the belief that nothing on this earth takes place without God's will, ordaining (positive) or permissive. He Who Is could have ordered His creation in such a manner, without destroying free will, that sin would be unthinkable. He could have arranged particular circumstances, performed some miracle in the viewing of Adam, gifted our first parents with a superior intelligence etc. Yet, it was deemed 'acceptable', if such a word may be used, that they are cast from Eden so that God may dwell with man. As Aristotle stated, it is good for friends to spend time together.
Nothing can occur before the divine will, it is not activated by a knowledge of man's actions. This is so as it is only through the divine will that the acts of men have the possibility to occur. Therefore the question is, could it have been otherwise than man fell....?
I truly accepted the belief that nothing on this earth takes place without God's will, ordaining (positive) or permissive. He Who Is could have ordered His creation in such a manner, without destroying free will, that sin would be unthinkable. He could have arranged particular circumstances, performed some miracle in the viewing of Adam, gifted our first parents with a superior intelligence etc. Yet, it was deemed 'acceptable', if such a word may be used, that they are cast from Eden so that God may dwell with man. As Aristotle stated, it is good for friends to spend time together.
Nothing can occur before the divine will, it is not activated by a knowledge of man's actions. This is so as it is only through the divine will that the acts of men have the possibility to occur. Therefore the question is, could it have been otherwise than man fell....?
Monday, 26 July 2010
Old Rite Training Conference for Priests
From the Latin Mass Society in England:
''LMS Residential Training Conference for Priests Wishing to Learn the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite (Traditional Latin Mass) at Downside Abbey, Somerset.
Bishop Athanasius Schneider to attend Conference
The Latin Mass Society has announced that Bishop Athanasius Schneider ORC, Auxiliary Bishop of Karaganga in Kazakhstan, will be attending the forthcoming priests’ training conference to be held at Downside Abbey from Tuesday 10th to Friday 13th August. Bishop Schneider will celebrate a Solemn Pontifical Mass in the Extraordinary Form in the Abbey Church at Downside on Thursday 12th August at 11.00am. He will also deliver a lecture as part of the conference.
Around 30 priests are expected to attend the conference where tuition will be given in the celebration of Mass in the older form. Some will be beginners, and will be studying Low Mass; whilst others with more experience will be expanding their skills to include Missa Cantata and Missa Solemnis. Tuition will also be provided for altar servers.
Bishop Schneider is best known for his defence of the traditional practice of receiving Holy Communion on the tongue and kneeling. His book, Dominus Est, originally written in Italian but now available in English, deals with this subject in some detail.
The public will be able to attend the 11.00 am Mass in the Abbey Church each day of the conference, but will be particularly welcome at the Pontifical Mass on the Thursday.
There are a few last minute places available at the Downside conference. Priests and potential servers interested in attending should contact the Latin Mass Society by telephoning 020 7404 7284 for further information and an application form.
For further information, please contact John Medlin, General Manager, or James Murphy, LMS Office Manager, on (T) 020 7404 7284;
(F) 020 7831 5585; (E mail) info@latin-mass-society.org''
''LMS Residential Training Conference for Priests Wishing to Learn the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite (Traditional Latin Mass) at Downside Abbey, Somerset.
Bishop Athanasius Schneider to attend Conference
The Latin Mass Society has announced that Bishop Athanasius Schneider ORC, Auxiliary Bishop of Karaganga in Kazakhstan, will be attending the forthcoming priests’ training conference to be held at Downside Abbey from Tuesday 10th to Friday 13th August. Bishop Schneider will celebrate a Solemn Pontifical Mass in the Extraordinary Form in the Abbey Church at Downside on Thursday 12th August at 11.00am. He will also deliver a lecture as part of the conference.
Around 30 priests are expected to attend the conference where tuition will be given in the celebration of Mass in the older form. Some will be beginners, and will be studying Low Mass; whilst others with more experience will be expanding their skills to include Missa Cantata and Missa Solemnis. Tuition will also be provided for altar servers.
Bishop Schneider is best known for his defence of the traditional practice of receiving Holy Communion on the tongue and kneeling. His book, Dominus Est, originally written in Italian but now available in English, deals with this subject in some detail.
The public will be able to attend the 11.00 am Mass in the Abbey Church each day of the conference, but will be particularly welcome at the Pontifical Mass on the Thursday.
There are a few last minute places available at the Downside conference. Priests and potential servers interested in attending should contact the Latin Mass Society by telephoning 020 7404 7284 for further information and an application form.
For further information, please contact John Medlin, General Manager, or James Murphy, LMS Office Manager, on (T) 020 7404 7284;
(F) 020 7831 5585; (E mail) info@latin-mass-society.org''
Latin Doctor Quote Of The Day
Saint Ambrose:
''The devil does not have only one weapon. He uses many different means to defeat human beings; now with bribery, now with boredom, now with greed he attacks, inflicting mental and physical wounds equally.''
Comment: It is only through suffering that a man is made perfect. Only when considerable pressure is mounted upon an athelete will muscles develop and speed increase. Yet, suffering can deprave a man even more, or it can exalt him over the heavens in holiness. Recourse to the Father of heavens and the Holy Virgin in such difficulties creates a greater likeness of Christ in the soul, and Satan is powerless. Let us remember that the Good Lord will not permit us to be tested beyond our strength. Let us refrain from idleness, where Satan is often at his most dangerous, and our souls at their weakest. Vigilate!
''The devil does not have only one weapon. He uses many different means to defeat human beings; now with bribery, now with boredom, now with greed he attacks, inflicting mental and physical wounds equally.''
Comment: It is only through suffering that a man is made perfect. Only when considerable pressure is mounted upon an athelete will muscles develop and speed increase. Yet, suffering can deprave a man even more, or it can exalt him over the heavens in holiness. Recourse to the Father of heavens and the Holy Virgin in such difficulties creates a greater likeness of Christ in the soul, and Satan is powerless. Let us remember that the Good Lord will not permit us to be tested beyond our strength. Let us refrain from idleness, where Satan is often at his most dangerous, and our souls at their weakest. Vigilate!
Saint Anne, Mother of the Blessed Virgin Mary - 2 Cl.
The spouse of Saint Joachim, was the mother of Our Lady and the grandmother of Our Lord. Devotion to Saint Anne has increased very much in the whole Church. She is highly venerated as the Patron of Brittany.
Collect:
O God, who didst vouchsafe to bestow upon blessed Anne such grace, that she was found worthy to become the mother of her who brought forth Thine only-begotten Son: mercifully grant, that we who celebrate her festival, may be helped by her intercession with Thee. Through the same...
'God will help her with His countenance: God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved'
Comment: From all eternity, the Good Lord has determined those He will place in our lives in time and space. The gift of our parents is not randomly allocated through biological accident but is bestowed upon us purposely by God. Parents are the primary educators of their children and such an influence will decisively shape their offspring, for good or ill, heaven or hell. This is no third rate vocation, but the seedbed of all others. Let us this day pray for our grandmothers that they may increase in sanctity in the midst of illness, old age or difficulty of any sort.
Collect:
O God, who didst vouchsafe to bestow upon blessed Anne such grace, that she was found worthy to become the mother of her who brought forth Thine only-begotten Son: mercifully grant, that we who celebrate her festival, may be helped by her intercession with Thee. Through the same...
'God will help her with His countenance: God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved'
Comment: From all eternity, the Good Lord has determined those He will place in our lives in time and space. The gift of our parents is not randomly allocated through biological accident but is bestowed upon us purposely by God. Parents are the primary educators of their children and such an influence will decisively shape their offspring, for good or ill, heaven or hell. This is no third rate vocation, but the seedbed of all others. Let us this day pray for our grandmothers that they may increase in sanctity in the midst of illness, old age or difficulty of any sort.
Sunday, 25 July 2010
...of the Greek Variety
Saint Clement of Alexandria:
''A chatterer is like an old boot. When all the rest has been used up, there is only the tongue left and that hurts the chatterer more than anyone else.''
Comment: He that controls the tongue must be a perfect man. Speech and human communication is a great gift from God, and like all goods must be ordered and applied correctly. Yet, who has not sinned with his tongue? Who has not cast down a brother with a thoughtless remark, caused scandal with some pathetic joke or torn down through reporting ill of others?
The Nature of Love - 2
All that exists, shares, in some sense, in the nature of God. As He is the origin of all that has being, no existing subject can be, without resembling His essence. Yet not all creation is alike in this. Rocks participate in God simply by being. Plants by living. Men by knowing and loving. This capacity for love reflects the intra-trinitarian communion, where the Spirit is the bond of love between the Unbegotten and the Logos. It is this endowment which exalts man above the rest of the earth and makes him most like God. The path of sanctity, which consists loving the Good, is not foreign to human nature, but grace is the perfection of it, where it is given its fulfilment and uniqueness.
Man can only love what is good, of his nature he is drawn to what is desirable and beautiful. Yet, such a desire which should be pure, grounded in God, in this valley of tears, becomes corrupted and confused. What is good is sought after in isolation from He Who is Good, Who He Is. The man who acts and loves in this manner, offends his own being. This is not simply ‘inauthenticity’, but a lie, a distortion of creation.
Love is the fundamental orientation of man, it directs his being, raises him up and transforms him. He that loves God, loves Himself and becomes God. Such an exaltation could only ever occur because of the Incarnation of the Sole-Begotten One and His Death. The supreme oblation of a God wounded by sin. A heart that would beat for the love of humanity and for the Father’s glory. The lover desires to be united with the Beloved, wishes to make himself like He Who is sought after and rejoices in His perfections.
This could be greatly expanded, but I thought I would write down some initial thoughts and develop them over the course of time.
Man can only love what is good, of his nature he is drawn to what is desirable and beautiful. Yet, such a desire which should be pure, grounded in God, in this valley of tears, becomes corrupted and confused. What is good is sought after in isolation from He Who is Good, Who He Is. The man who acts and loves in this manner, offends his own being. This is not simply ‘inauthenticity’, but a lie, a distortion of creation.
Love is the fundamental orientation of man, it directs his being, raises him up and transforms him. He that loves God, loves Himself and becomes God. Such an exaltation could only ever occur because of the Incarnation of the Sole-Begotten One and His Death. The supreme oblation of a God wounded by sin. A heart that would beat for the love of humanity and for the Father’s glory. The lover desires to be united with the Beloved, wishes to make himself like He Who is sought after and rejoices in His perfections.
This could be greatly expanded, but I thought I would write down some initial thoughts and develop them over the course of time.
Friday, 23 July 2010
I've Returned
This morning I arrived back in Scotland, to the obvious absence of heat. But, it is a joy to get back to writing for Filioque and I hope to add some work of quality over the next few weeks.
I ask you also to pray for a friend of mine as her father has recently died and his funeral occurred on Thursday. Please pray for the repose of his soul and for the family so that they may trust in the loving kindness of our Father.
I ask you also to pray for a friend of mine as her father has recently died and his funeral occurred on Thursday. Please pray for the repose of his soul and for the family so that they may trust in the loving kindness of our Father.
Tuesday, 6 July 2010
On Holiday
Off on holiday today to the land of Santa Claus - Turkey.
I will write up some more meditations when (and if) I return. May God be with you all and may the Holy Theotokos intercede for you!
Pax Vobis.
I will write up some more meditations when (and if) I return. May God be with you all and may the Holy Theotokos intercede for you!
Pax Vobis.
Monday, 5 July 2010
...of the Greek Variety
Saint Maximus the Confessor:
'You must love everyone with all your soul, hoping however only in God and honouring Him with all your heart. Christ's friends are not loved by all, but they sincerely love all. The friends of this world are not loved by all, but neither do they love all'.
Comment: In Christ, the light of the nations, we come to the truth of the human person. In this concrete example on the Cross, His Supreme Immolation, we find the nature of charity. If we wish to call ourselves Christians, we must walk in His steps, suffering for the hope we have, but praying all the time for sinners.
The Soul Panting for its Beloved
Psalm 42: To provide some Scriptural support for what I have written recently.
'As the deer pants for streams of water,
so my soul pants for you, O God.
2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.
When can I go and meet with God?
3 My tears have been my food
day and night,
while men say to me all day long,
"Where is your God?"
4 These things I remember
as I pour out my soul:
how I used to go with the multitude,
leading the procession to the house of God,
with shouts of joy and thanksgiving
among the festive throng.
5 Why are you downcast, O my soul?
Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God,
for I will yet praise him,
my Savior and 6 my God.
My [c] soul is downcast within me;
therefore I will remember you
from the land of the Jordan,
the heights of Hermon—from Mount Mizar.
7 Deep calls to deep
in the roar of your waterfalls;
all your waves and breakers
have swept over me.
8 By day the LORD directs his love,
at night his song is with me—
a prayer to the God of my life.
9 I say to God my Rock,
"Why have you forgotten me?
Why must I go about mourning,
oppressed by the enemy?"
10 My bones suffer mortal agony
as my foes taunt me,
saying to me all day long,
"Where is your God?"
11 Why are you downcast, O my soul?
Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God,
for I will yet praise him,
my Savior and my God.'
'As the deer pants for streams of water,
so my soul pants for you, O God.
2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.
When can I go and meet with God?
3 My tears have been my food
day and night,
while men say to me all day long,
"Where is your God?"
4 These things I remember
as I pour out my soul:
how I used to go with the multitude,
leading the procession to the house of God,
with shouts of joy and thanksgiving
among the festive throng.
5 Why are you downcast, O my soul?
Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God,
for I will yet praise him,
my Savior and 6 my God.
My [c] soul is downcast within me;
therefore I will remember you
from the land of the Jordan,
the heights of Hermon—from Mount Mizar.
7 Deep calls to deep
in the roar of your waterfalls;
all your waves and breakers
have swept over me.
8 By day the LORD directs his love,
at night his song is with me—
a prayer to the God of my life.
9 I say to God my Rock,
"Why have you forgotten me?
Why must I go about mourning,
oppressed by the enemy?"
10 My bones suffer mortal agony
as my foes taunt me,
saying to me all day long,
"Where is your God?"
11 Why are you downcast, O my soul?
Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God,
for I will yet praise him,
my Savior and my God.'
The Nature of Love
It is of the nature of love that it is self-diffusive. It surpasses the self so that it can affirm the self. We learn from Richard of St. Victor that charity is not static, self-containing, but it reaches out in an embrace. The human person exists not in isolation, but it is of his nature to communicate. This communication is not a mere verbalisation but the sigh of the heart. All of our hopes rest in Him, our origin and our end. Any love which does not includes Him as its source is disordered and blurs the truth of the human person. All men are drawn together by Him, the Good. We all can say truly that He is our beloved.
I will work on this line of thought when I return from holiday on the 23rd of this month. During my recitation of the Rosary today, I came across this reflection on the 2nd Joyful Mystery, the Visitation, and by the time I got home, I had forgotten the fruits of it. So what I have written is quite imperfect at the moment, but I will do some further meditation later.
God be with you all,
I will work on this line of thought when I return from holiday on the 23rd of this month. During my recitation of the Rosary today, I came across this reflection on the 2nd Joyful Mystery, the Visitation, and by the time I got home, I had forgotten the fruits of it. So what I have written is quite imperfect at the moment, but I will do some further meditation later.
God be with you all,
Friday, 2 July 2010
Priestly Ordinations
Archbishop Conti will ordain Ross Campbell, Martin Kane and John Sweeney at 11.30 am
on Saturday 3 July in St. Mary's, Abercromby Street.
Let us pray for these young men as they ascend to the altar as priests of our Lord Jesus Christ. May every day they spend be for the glory of the Blessed Trinity and the salvation of souls. May our Mother Mary guard and protect them from all anxiety and bring about in them a greater love of Jesus, her Divine Son.
on Saturday 3 July in St. Mary's, Abercromby Street.
Let us pray for these young men as they ascend to the altar as priests of our Lord Jesus Christ. May every day they spend be for the glory of the Blessed Trinity and the salvation of souls. May our Mother Mary guard and protect them from all anxiety and bring about in them a greater love of Jesus, her Divine Son.
9 Nations Appeal Italian Crucifix Ruling
From Catholic Culture:
''Nine of the 47 member nations of the Council of Europe argued in a June 30 appeal that the European Court of Human Rights should overturn its decision banning crucifixes in Italian classrooms. The original case was decided by a seven-judge panel; the appeal will be decided by a 19-judge panel, which is expected to issue a ruling in September or October.
Joining Italy in the appeal were Armenia, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Greece, Malta, San Marino, Romania, and Russia.''
Comment: So much for secular toleration. When will we wake up from our slumber? It is from the Cross that our salvation comes. Opposing the use of crucifixes is a denial of God's gracious mercy in the Sacrifice of Christ, the seriousness of sin and the right to proclaim openly the truth.
''Nine of the 47 member nations of the Council of Europe argued in a June 30 appeal that the European Court of Human Rights should overturn its decision banning crucifixes in Italian classrooms. The original case was decided by a seven-judge panel; the appeal will be decided by a 19-judge panel, which is expected to issue a ruling in September or October.
Joining Italy in the appeal were Armenia, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Greece, Malta, San Marino, Romania, and Russia.''
Comment: So much for secular toleration. When will we wake up from our slumber? It is from the Cross that our salvation comes. Opposing the use of crucifixes is a denial of God's gracious mercy in the Sacrifice of Christ, the seriousness of sin and the right to proclaim openly the truth.
The Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary - 2 Cl.
Mary's first action after God had come to dwell in her was one of self-denying charity. She undertook a troublesome journey in order to visit her cousin Elizabeth. Thus she proclaimed charity to be the virtue which above all Christ brought with Him from heaven. God made Mary's visit the occasion of a wonderful miracle. On her entrance into St. Elizabeth's dwelling, St. John the Baptist was cleansed from sin in his mother's womb. Mary was the channel of this exceptional privilege of the cleansing away of sin in the case of the unborn child. As then, so now: Mary is the channel of all graces, and above all, of the restoration of the sinner to friendship with God. Mary's charity is not less present now than at the time of the Visitation. Nay, she is far more eager now than then to promote the happiness and console the sorrows of those who fly to her for succour.
Collect:
Bestow upon Thy servants, we beseech Thee, O Lord, the gift of Thy heavenly grace: that as the childbearing of the Blessed Virgin was the beginning of our salvation, so the solemn feast of her Visitation may bring us an increase of peace. Through our Lord...
'Blessed and venerable art thou, O Virgin Mary: who without blemish to thy maidenhood, wert found to be the Mother of the Saviour.'
'Magnificat anima mea Dominum: Et exsultavit spiritus meus in Deo salutari meo.'
Comment: Let us fly to this refuge of sinners, the loving Immaculate Heart of the Queen of Heaven. No man can be saved, without beseeching her pity and graces, given to her graciously by her Heavenly Spouse, the Paraclete. Let us imitate her angelic purity and patience, thereby glorifying her divine Son, the Redeemer of the world. May love of her Son urge us on to heroic virtue, particularly charity, which unites all virtues. The faithful soul must leap with joy when he hears the name of Mary praised, as she bears Jesus without end.
Ora pro nobis, Sancta Dei Genitrix.
Ut digni efficiamur promissionibus Christi.
Collect:
Bestow upon Thy servants, we beseech Thee, O Lord, the gift of Thy heavenly grace: that as the childbearing of the Blessed Virgin was the beginning of our salvation, so the solemn feast of her Visitation may bring us an increase of peace. Through our Lord...
'Blessed and venerable art thou, O Virgin Mary: who without blemish to thy maidenhood, wert found to be the Mother of the Saviour.'
'Magnificat anima mea Dominum: Et exsultavit spiritus meus in Deo salutari meo.'
Comment: Let us fly to this refuge of sinners, the loving Immaculate Heart of the Queen of Heaven. No man can be saved, without beseeching her pity and graces, given to her graciously by her Heavenly Spouse, the Paraclete. Let us imitate her angelic purity and patience, thereby glorifying her divine Son, the Redeemer of the world. May love of her Son urge us on to heroic virtue, particularly charity, which unites all virtues. The faithful soul must leap with joy when he hears the name of Mary praised, as she bears Jesus without end.
Ora pro nobis, Sancta Dei Genitrix.
Ut digni efficiamur promissionibus Christi.
Latin Doctor Quote Of The Day
Saint Ambrose:
'Let us remember that religion comes first and family affection only in second place. Then everything becomes clear. You should put human affairs second to divine imperatives. If we have a duty to love our parents, we also have one paramount duty of love to the Father of our parents.'
Comment: I can already hear the modernist plead, 'What about the commandment to honour our parents, are we negating that divine law for the sake of superficial piety?' Not so. When we follow the outline given above by the Bishop of Milan, we recognise the uniqueness of our parents. Nothing occurs on this earth without the will of God, either His ordaining (what I call 'positive') or permissive will, therefore it was not without reason that our Eternal Father placed us in the care of those He did. Through our obediance to 'divine imperatives', we truly honour the God, from Whom all fatherhood proceeds. In Christ, we not only wish them peace and prosperity, but all heavenly benediction and eternal happiness. To act and believe in such a manner, we truly honour our parents.
The Feast of the Most Precious Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ - 1st July.
In this month of July, we remember the Precious Blood of our Divine Redeemer that was spilled for our salvation. We cannot forget that the ransom for our reconciliation was not paid in anything corruptible, gold or silver, but by the blood of the true Lamb of God. This blood was offered to the Father in Jesus' supreme oblation on the Cross, yet before, His precious blood was shed, namely in His Circumcision, His scourging and His crowning with thorns. In the Old Testament it is stated that the life is in the blood, truly by His Passion and Death, our wounds are bound up and we are exalted to a more blessed state of life. We move beyond the transient, the passing, and enter into the mystery of the divine life, the glorious Trinity. The blood which poured out as from a source of mercy from the side of Christ is not alone, it is united hypostatically to the Logos of God, through Whom all things were made and are sustained. Let us venerate the price of our redemption this month more than ever. There is no other name under which we may be saved than that of Jesus Christ, let us proclaim with boldness our faith in His offering on Calvary which is renewed and applied daily to our souls at the Sacrifice of the Mass.
God, being almighty, may have chosen to forgive our sins in anyother manner, but in His divine Wisdom, He has chosen the Sacrifice of the Cross, to show forth the depths of His love and the seriousness of evil.
Collect:
Almighty, everlasting God, who didst appoint Thine only-begotten Son to be Redeemer of the world, and didst vouchsafe to be appeased by His Blood; grant, we beseech Thee, that, by our solemn service, we may so venerate the Price of our redemption, and by its power be so defended from the evils of this present life on earth, that we may enjoy its fruit for evermore in heaven. Through the same...
'But one of the soldiers with a psear opened His side, and immediately there came out blood and water.'
'The chalice of benediction which we bless, is it not the communion of the Blood of Christ?'
Wednesday, 30 June 2010
Prayer to the Sacred Heart
We are approaching the end of the month of July, dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. From this burning love for humanity, we have a refuge and a home. No man turning in this time of distress to the Sacred Heart will be rejected.
May Thy Heart dwell always in our hearts!
May Thy Blood ever flow in the veins of our souls!
O sun of our hearts, Thou givest life to all things by the rays of Thy goodness!
I will not go until Thy Heart has strengthened me, O Lord Jesus!
May the Heart of Jesus be the King of my heart!
Blessed be God. Amen.
Written by Saint Francis de Salle.
May Thy Heart dwell always in our hearts!
May Thy Blood ever flow in the veins of our souls!
O sun of our hearts, Thou givest life to all things by the rays of Thy goodness!
I will not go until Thy Heart has strengthened me, O Lord Jesus!
May the Heart of Jesus be the King of my heart!
Blessed be God. Amen.
Written by Saint Francis de Salle.
Let us not approach this devotion without discerning that this love certainly cost something. This Sacred Heart beating with love for man and his salvation, was pierced with a lance and scorned by men. Such is our Redeemer.
Latin Doctor Quote Of The Day
Saint Bonaventure.
'When we pray, the voice of the heart must be heard more than that proceeding from the mouth.'
Comment: Prayer is not the mere verbalising of pre-written formulae, but the cry of the child of God to his gracious Father. It is a cry of confidence from the very depths of our nature, a longing for the Good, for the Supreme Beauty, our only End and our purpose. Without this intimate communication in the Spirit, no man can be saved, how can we regain the divine likeness, when the very archtype is foreign to us?
Commemoration of Saint Paul - 3 Cl.
Apostle
Saul of Tarsus was first a great persecutor and made havoc of the infant Church. Miraculously converted, he began his three great Apostolic Voyages and wrote his Epistles. After a captivity of two years in Caesarea, he came to Rome and travelled to that part of the Church situated beyond Italy. He was beheaded A.D. 65.
Collect:
O God, who by the preaching of blessed Paul the Apostle, didst teach the multitude of the Gentiles: grant, we beseech Thee, that we who celebrate his heavenly birthday, may also experience his patronage.
'For neither did I receive it of man, nor did I learn it; but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.'
What could we suffer for the Faith that this divine Apostle did not? Who has sweated, toiled, been mocked, or shed his blood like Paul? Who has loved his own people as much as this man, who was willing to even suffer condemnation if the Jews would turn back to their God?
Saul of Tarsus was first a great persecutor and made havoc of the infant Church. Miraculously converted, he began his three great Apostolic Voyages and wrote his Epistles. After a captivity of two years in Caesarea, he came to Rome and travelled to that part of the Church situated beyond Italy. He was beheaded A.D. 65.
Collect:
O God, who by the preaching of blessed Paul the Apostle, didst teach the multitude of the Gentiles: grant, we beseech Thee, that we who celebrate his heavenly birthday, may also experience his patronage.
'For neither did I receive it of man, nor did I learn it; but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.'
What could we suffer for the Faith that this divine Apostle did not? Who has sweated, toiled, been mocked, or shed his blood like Paul? Who has loved his own people as much as this man, who was willing to even suffer condemnation if the Jews would turn back to their God?
Tuesday, 29 June 2010
Feast of Saint Peter and Saint Paul
Today, let us worship the blessed Trinity, imitating the faith and virtues and beseeching the intercession of the Holy Apostles, Peter and Paul.
Upon hearing a short sermon from a priest today on this glorious and joyful occasion, two elements come to my mind which we must consider now more than ever.
First of all, even though these great men are acknowledged in the Confiteor, where we confess our sins before them, and plead for them to pray for us to God, we rarely pray or have a devotion to them outside of the divine liturgy. Why do we forget what these princes of the Church did for us? I am writing in Scotland in the 21th century, and I uphold the Catholic Faith which concerns the Logos Who descended to the earth 2000 years ago. We have received this great grace by the sweat, toil and blood of these men who were sent out by Christ to the nations. It is not a doctrine of man that we cling to or proclaim. It was through a revelation that the Rock, Peter exclaimed that Jesus was the Christ, the Son of the living God, when the rest of his companions uttered the rumours of the crowd. Later, the Divine Apostle, Paul converted to the true faith through the gracious mercy of Jesus, Who spoke with him on the road to Damascus.
We do not profess one faith that is as valid as any, but one which comes from Christ Himself Who founded His Church to perpetuate the incarnation and bring the redemption wrought by His Precious Blood to all nations.
Saint Paul characterised the missionary zeal that we must all have for the Catholic Faith. Essentially our religion has universality and rationality, as we worship the Logos through Whom all things have their being. The Faith must not be confined to one area, to one nation, to one language, but to all men descended from Adam. Let us cast aside the false notion of ''religious liberty'', no one has a right to simulate worship in a manner contrary to what the good Lord has revealed. It is a great act of charity to pray for the salvation of others, and as all grace for salvation comes through the Church, let us not neglect to bring souls to our Mother Church to be nourished and quickened.
Second, there is a great crisis within the human element of the Church. Liberals (who used to be called 'heretics') are 'rewarded' for their creativity with honours, bishops sleep on their thrones while souls perish, priests are more concerned about social justice programmes, and dissent is rampant. With Saint Peter, the foremost of the Apostles, the Rock, the safeguard of the Faith, let us cling to the truth handed onto the saints once for all. The Holy Father has much to suffer and he has been abandoned by his clergy. May His Holiness continue to feature in our prayers, as we pour forth our supplications for the victory of the Holy Catholic Church. By holy living, devout reception of the Sacraments and great hope in the Blessed Mother, may we become channels of grace to bring as many men as possible into the fold. This can only occur through clinging to the true Faith with love, this truth and no other can set us free.
Glory be to the holy Trinity, and honour to the Divine Apostles. Amen.
Upon hearing a short sermon from a priest today on this glorious and joyful occasion, two elements come to my mind which we must consider now more than ever.
First of all, even though these great men are acknowledged in the Confiteor, where we confess our sins before them, and plead for them to pray for us to God, we rarely pray or have a devotion to them outside of the divine liturgy. Why do we forget what these princes of the Church did for us? I am writing in Scotland in the 21th century, and I uphold the Catholic Faith which concerns the Logos Who descended to the earth 2000 years ago. We have received this great grace by the sweat, toil and blood of these men who were sent out by Christ to the nations. It is not a doctrine of man that we cling to or proclaim. It was through a revelation that the Rock, Peter exclaimed that Jesus was the Christ, the Son of the living God, when the rest of his companions uttered the rumours of the crowd. Later, the Divine Apostle, Paul converted to the true faith through the gracious mercy of Jesus, Who spoke with him on the road to Damascus.
We do not profess one faith that is as valid as any, but one which comes from Christ Himself Who founded His Church to perpetuate the incarnation and bring the redemption wrought by His Precious Blood to all nations.
Saint Paul characterised the missionary zeal that we must all have for the Catholic Faith. Essentially our religion has universality and rationality, as we worship the Logos through Whom all things have their being. The Faith must not be confined to one area, to one nation, to one language, but to all men descended from Adam. Let us cast aside the false notion of ''religious liberty'', no one has a right to simulate worship in a manner contrary to what the good Lord has revealed. It is a great act of charity to pray for the salvation of others, and as all grace for salvation comes through the Church, let us not neglect to bring souls to our Mother Church to be nourished and quickened.
Second, there is a great crisis within the human element of the Church. Liberals (who used to be called 'heretics') are 'rewarded' for their creativity with honours, bishops sleep on their thrones while souls perish, priests are more concerned about social justice programmes, and dissent is rampant. With Saint Peter, the foremost of the Apostles, the Rock, the safeguard of the Faith, let us cling to the truth handed onto the saints once for all. The Holy Father has much to suffer and he has been abandoned by his clergy. May His Holiness continue to feature in our prayers, as we pour forth our supplications for the victory of the Holy Catholic Church. By holy living, devout reception of the Sacraments and great hope in the Blessed Mother, may we become channels of grace to bring as many men as possible into the fold. This can only occur through clinging to the true Faith with love, this truth and no other can set us free.
Glory be to the holy Trinity, and honour to the Divine Apostles. Amen.
Thursday, 24 June 2010
The Birthday of Saint John the Baptist
Benedictus Dominus Deus Israel!
Today, we venerate the memory and beseech the intercession of blessed John the Baptist, the servant of God and the forerunner of the Messias. Today's world needs a new messenger of the Good News, in this time of unbelief and hardness of heart. All of the baptised are called to go forth, announcing the Just Judgement of God, and by living a disciplined life, built upon faith which is strengthened by the grace of the Sacraments, men will be converted to the truth. Those who live in such a manner will give great glory to the Blessed Trinity and shall flourish like the palm-tree, shall grow up like the cedar of Libanus.
Evil is practised and defended under the cover of law, let us therefore imitate the heroic virtues of blessed John, offering a sacrifice of praise to the Lord who has visited His people and shown forth His mercy to sinners. God pre-ordains all things to His glory in His wisdom, and invites fallen man to share in His divine nature and participate in the communion of love. Before He formed us in the womb, He knew us, He has consecrated us to His service to root up, and to pull down, and to waste and to destroy, and to build, and to plant. Let us enlighten men in the truth, who is Christ, loosening their bonds through faithfully adhering to the salvation purchased for us by the Precious Blood on Calvery.
If such a mission had to be undertaken, this is the appropriate moment. Souls walk idly into destruction and Hell. Our pastors are oblivious to the dangers of sin and its unchecked reign in men's souls. Yet, through the grace of Jesus and the loving protection of our Blessed Mother, we can bring men to our Father's house.
Brethren, let us then prepare the path for the return of our Lord, to whom be the glory and the power for ever. Amen.
Today, we venerate the memory and beseech the intercession of blessed John the Baptist, the servant of God and the forerunner of the Messias. Today's world needs a new messenger of the Good News, in this time of unbelief and hardness of heart. All of the baptised are called to go forth, announcing the Just Judgement of God, and by living a disciplined life, built upon faith which is strengthened by the grace of the Sacraments, men will be converted to the truth. Those who live in such a manner will give great glory to the Blessed Trinity and shall flourish like the palm-tree, shall grow up like the cedar of Libanus.
Evil is practised and defended under the cover of law, let us therefore imitate the heroic virtues of blessed John, offering a sacrifice of praise to the Lord who has visited His people and shown forth His mercy to sinners. God pre-ordains all things to His glory in His wisdom, and invites fallen man to share in His divine nature and participate in the communion of love. Before He formed us in the womb, He knew us, He has consecrated us to His service to root up, and to pull down, and to waste and to destroy, and to build, and to plant. Let us enlighten men in the truth, who is Christ, loosening their bonds through faithfully adhering to the salvation purchased for us by the Precious Blood on Calvery.
If such a mission had to be undertaken, this is the appropriate moment. Souls walk idly into destruction and Hell. Our pastors are oblivious to the dangers of sin and its unchecked reign in men's souls. Yet, through the grace of Jesus and the loving protection of our Blessed Mother, we can bring men to our Father's house.
Brethren, let us then prepare the path for the return of our Lord, to whom be the glory and the power for ever. Amen.
Monday, 21 June 2010
Saint Aloysius Gonzaga - 3 Cl.
Confessor.
He is the patron of Catholic youth. Amid the seductions of court the young prince, full of merits and virtues, kept his first innocence by marvels of mortification. He entered the Society of Jesus in Rome at the age of sixteen, and died there seven years later a victim to the plague, June 21, A.D. 1591.
Collect:
O God, the Giver of heavenly gifts, who in the angelic youth Aloysius didst unite a wonderful innocence of life with an equal spirit of penance: grant through his merits and prayers, that we, who have not followed his innocence, may imitate his penance. Through our Lord...
'My hope, O Lord, from my youth: by Thee have I been confirmed from the womb...'
Saturday, 19 June 2010
Pope Quote Of The Week
Pope Paul VI
"Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament is the Living Heart of each of our parishes,"
Comment: Upon entering a protestant church, one is immediately confronted with an emptiness. For all the devotion and sincerity of that community, the words of St. Mary Magdelene must resound in our souls,'they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have put Him' (Jn 10:13). Removed from the 'worship space, the human person takes centre stage, a charicature of true worship, a void leading to death.
...of the Greek Variety
Saint Cyril of Jerusalem on offering the Mass for the dead:
'We pray for the holy fathers and bishops who have fallen asleep, and all who have fallen asleep before us, in the belief that it is a great benefit to the souls on whose behalf the supplication is offered, while the holy and tremendous Victim is present. By offering our supplications for those who have fallen asleep, if they have sinned, we offer Christ's sacrifice for the sins of all, and so render favourable for them and for us, the God who loves mankind'
Whether Men Are Predestined By God?
First Part, Question 23, First Article:
The Catholic Faith not only proclaims God as creator of all that exists, visible and invisible but that He in His wisdom orders everything to His glory. Through the Word in the Spirit, the Father sustains all being and offers mankind the possibility of sharing in the divine life. Yet human persons are not mere objects brought into existence, such as rocks or desks, but contain intelligence and the capacity of loving, resulting from being formed in the image of God. A stone can only be moved from the outside, it can not resist beyond its weight. However, the offer of freedom in the case of mankind, involves his assent in faith, a handing over to the Lord of his entire being. Therefore, it is appropriate that we ask, does God predestinate men?
Let us commence this discussion with a quotation from the Divine Apostle, Paul in his Letter to the Romans: 'Whom He predestined, them He also called.' (8:30)
Accordingly, it is proper to the wisdom and justice of God that He guides all of His creation including that of mankind to His honour. Now, what is the purpose of His ordering, this predestination? Saint Thomas responds, 'it belongs to providence to direct things towards their end...'. As I have continually stated in my regular and diverse meditations that I have written up so far for Filioque, man in the very depths of his soul has a longing for God. Anything other than the Creator and he will groan for satisfaction, disgusted with the various delights that he has constantly latched on to and cast aside in vexation. His nature can only be fulfilled, brought to its 'end' by returning to its origin. A pursuit and hunger that is insatiable by the delectation of the senses, but which must stretch out of itself to embraces the One, yet at the same time delves into the true nature of man. This is we can properly call our true end, eternal life and the vision of He who is, the source of all being and the fountain of delight.
Yet, the Angelic Doctor states that, 'the end towards which created things are directed by God is twofold' and the end that I have very briefly set forth 'exceeds all proportion and faculty of nature'. This is what I meant when I described the human person stretching forth of his whole being, a prostration at the feet of his Lord, a renunciation of self leading to a recovery of the true self in Christ. Man must be called into this relationship through grace, faith is only initiated by the Most High. Man on his own can do nothing. The blessed vision of Him will satisfy every longing, every thirst for love and peace, which the world cannot dispense. Man is lifted out of time, out of necessity and tribulation into the ever-giving Trinitarian life.
On the other hand, the second end is 'proportionate to created nature, to which end created being can attain according to the power of its nature'. Now, it would be foolish to assert that such an end, brings about an 'emancipation' from God, as the human being posseses only that which is given to him from above. All human efforts in the natural sphere only occur by the gracious action of the Lord to bring us into existence and bestow upon us certain faculties and capabilities. Here we must remember that as a result of the Fall, man's intellect is darkened and its will divided, leading to many errors and misjudgements. Man, through the power granted it, is able to attain a certain degree of happiness and joy of its own nature and striving, however, it is necessary to state that the longing for the Good remains. The human person can feast upon earthly, ephemeral felicity, although such an end is not what the Lord has brought us out of nothing for. We are not mere animals.
'If a thing cannot attain to something by the power of its nature, it must be directed thereto by another'. Such is the case with eternal life.
Through sin, a great gulf exists between man and his God, that we cannot traverse through our own efforts. An arrow, although capable of flying, must be launched by the archer so that it may pierce the target. No matter the quality of material that it comprises, it cannot rise off the ground and assault the mark. Man is directed by His creator, who knows the secret pursuit of the heart and the deepest dimensions of nature. Namely towards fulfillment which is to know the true God and the one He sent, Jesus.
The Dominican continues, 'The reason of that direction pre-exists in God; as in Him is the type of the order of all things towards an end, which we proved above to be providence'. As the Lord is not constrained by time, but exists in the ever-present, eternal 'now', set before Him is the actions of all His works, and through His Word, He brings all to their pre-ordained end. 'Now the type in the mind (that is His plan) of the doer of something to be done, is a kind of pre-existence in him of the thing to be done'. Before I was conceived in my mother's womb, God from all eternity foresaw my existence and the form and pattern of my life, He knew my actions as efficient causes. Such prescience therefore does not put to flight free will.
Therefore, it is right to say that man is predestined by God.
The Catholic Faith not only proclaims God as creator of all that exists, visible and invisible but that He in His wisdom orders everything to His glory. Through the Word in the Spirit, the Father sustains all being and offers mankind the possibility of sharing in the divine life. Yet human persons are not mere objects brought into existence, such as rocks or desks, but contain intelligence and the capacity of loving, resulting from being formed in the image of God. A stone can only be moved from the outside, it can not resist beyond its weight. However, the offer of freedom in the case of mankind, involves his assent in faith, a handing over to the Lord of his entire being. Therefore, it is appropriate that we ask, does God predestinate men?
Let us commence this discussion with a quotation from the Divine Apostle, Paul in his Letter to the Romans: 'Whom He predestined, them He also called.' (8:30)
Accordingly, it is proper to the wisdom and justice of God that He guides all of His creation including that of mankind to His honour. Now, what is the purpose of His ordering, this predestination? Saint Thomas responds, 'it belongs to providence to direct things towards their end...'. As I have continually stated in my regular and diverse meditations that I have written up so far for Filioque, man in the very depths of his soul has a longing for God. Anything other than the Creator and he will groan for satisfaction, disgusted with the various delights that he has constantly latched on to and cast aside in vexation. His nature can only be fulfilled, brought to its 'end' by returning to its origin. A pursuit and hunger that is insatiable by the delectation of the senses, but which must stretch out of itself to embraces the One, yet at the same time delves into the true nature of man. This is we can properly call our true end, eternal life and the vision of He who is, the source of all being and the fountain of delight.
Yet, the Angelic Doctor states that, 'the end towards which created things are directed by God is twofold' and the end that I have very briefly set forth 'exceeds all proportion and faculty of nature'. This is what I meant when I described the human person stretching forth of his whole being, a prostration at the feet of his Lord, a renunciation of self leading to a recovery of the true self in Christ. Man must be called into this relationship through grace, faith is only initiated by the Most High. Man on his own can do nothing. The blessed vision of Him will satisfy every longing, every thirst for love and peace, which the world cannot dispense. Man is lifted out of time, out of necessity and tribulation into the ever-giving Trinitarian life.
On the other hand, the second end is 'proportionate to created nature, to which end created being can attain according to the power of its nature'. Now, it would be foolish to assert that such an end, brings about an 'emancipation' from God, as the human being posseses only that which is given to him from above. All human efforts in the natural sphere only occur by the gracious action of the Lord to bring us into existence and bestow upon us certain faculties and capabilities. Here we must remember that as a result of the Fall, man's intellect is darkened and its will divided, leading to many errors and misjudgements. Man, through the power granted it, is able to attain a certain degree of happiness and joy of its own nature and striving, however, it is necessary to state that the longing for the Good remains. The human person can feast upon earthly, ephemeral felicity, although such an end is not what the Lord has brought us out of nothing for. We are not mere animals.
'If a thing cannot attain to something by the power of its nature, it must be directed thereto by another'. Such is the case with eternal life.
Through sin, a great gulf exists between man and his God, that we cannot traverse through our own efforts. An arrow, although capable of flying, must be launched by the archer so that it may pierce the target. No matter the quality of material that it comprises, it cannot rise off the ground and assault the mark. Man is directed by His creator, who knows the secret pursuit of the heart and the deepest dimensions of nature. Namely towards fulfillment which is to know the true God and the one He sent, Jesus.
The Dominican continues, 'The reason of that direction pre-exists in God; as in Him is the type of the order of all things towards an end, which we proved above to be providence'. As the Lord is not constrained by time, but exists in the ever-present, eternal 'now', set before Him is the actions of all His works, and through His Word, He brings all to their pre-ordained end. 'Now the type in the mind (that is His plan) of the doer of something to be done, is a kind of pre-existence in him of the thing to be done'. Before I was conceived in my mother's womb, God from all eternity foresaw my existence and the form and pattern of my life, He knew my actions as efficient causes. Such prescience therefore does not put to flight free will.
Therefore, it is right to say that man is predestined by God.
Saint Juliana Falconieri - 3 Cl.
Virgin.
The noble daughter of the illustrious family of Falconieri founded at Florence the Order of the Mantellati, attached to the Order of Servites. She received Viaticum miraculously at the moment of her death, A.D. 1340.
Collect:
O God, who didst vouchsafe wondrously to solace blessed Juliana, Thy virgin, in her last sufferings with the precious body of Thy Son: grant we beseech Thee, that, by her intercession and merits, we too in our mortal agony may be strengthened by the same Sacrament, and so be brought to our heavenly country. Through the same our Lord Jesus Christ Thy Son, who liveth and reigneth...
'The daughters of the King are in thine honour, the queen stood on thy right hand in gilded clothing surrounded with variety'
The noble daughter of the illustrious family of Falconieri founded at Florence the Order of the Mantellati, attached to the Order of Servites. She received Viaticum miraculously at the moment of her death, A.D. 1340.
Collect:
O God, who didst vouchsafe wondrously to solace blessed Juliana, Thy virgin, in her last sufferings with the precious body of Thy Son: grant we beseech Thee, that, by her intercession and merits, we too in our mortal agony may be strengthened by the same Sacrament, and so be brought to our heavenly country. Through the same our Lord Jesus Christ Thy Son, who liveth and reigneth...
'The daughters of the King are in thine honour, the queen stood on thy right hand in gilded clothing surrounded with variety'
Latin Doctor Quote Of The Day
Saint Jerome:
'At the very time when Mass is said for those souls for whom it is being offered, all their pains are lifted.'
Comment: Let us not neglect to have the Holy Sacrifice offered for those who have departed this mortal realm. These souls certainly need prayers and penances to alleviate their pains in order to bring them to the vision of He who is. By this act of charity, let us call to mind the truth that we are but dust and ashes and we too will one day lie in a coffin before the Altar.
Preparation For Holy Communion
Let us have frequent recourse to this Sacrament, containing all heavenly delights and all that is necessary for salvation. Upon the Holy Altar is spread out a feast beyond compare, which gratifies not the senses but cures the soul of all ill. From the reception of this most blessed Sacrament, saints are made, demons put to flight, glory is given to the Undivided Trinity.
Thomas a Kempis writes beautifully:
''I implore Thy mercy, and beg Thee to give me the special grace, that I may be wholly dissolved in Thee, lose myself in love of Thee, and never seek any other joy. For this most lofty and most excellent Sacrament is the health of body and soul, and the cure of all spiritual weakness. By its power vices are rooted out, the passions curbed, temptations lessened or overcome, grace poured in greater plenty into the soul, virtue already implanted is increased, faith is confirmed, hope strengthened, charity brightened and widened.'' (Imitatio Christi)
Lord, we are not worthy that you should enter our roof, but purify us of all defilement that we make a house fitting for the King of kings.
Prayer
Lord Christ, may those nails which held thee fast to the Cross, pierce my heart to repentance.
Thursday, 17 June 2010
Saint Gregory Barbarigo - 3 Cl.
Bishop, Confessor.
Cardinal Archbishop of Padua, died in 1697 with the reputation of another Charles Borromeo, renowned like him for his wonderful zeal in every kind of labour for the clergy and faithful, but especially the poor, of his diocese.
Collect:
O God, Thou wert pleased to have blessed Gregory, Thy Confessor and Bishop renowned as one who cherished his flock and loved the poor: in Thy mercy see that we extol his merits and imitate his charity. Through our Lord Jesus Christ...
'Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord: he shall delight exceedingly in His commandments. His seed shall be mighty upon earth...'
Wednesday, 16 June 2010
O Altitudo...!
At the moment, I am reading Gerald Bonner's little book called 'Freedom and Necessity' which concerns an outline (or at least the professor's interpretation) of St. Augustine's doctrine on human freedom, grace and predestination.
He quotes from the saint and states that this doctrine is horrifying although essentially the same as one passage of St Paul:
'Two little children are born. If you ask what is due, they both cleave to the lump of perdition. But why does its mother carry the one to grace, while the other is suffocated by its mother in her sleep? Will you tell me what that one deserved which was borne to grace, and what that one deserved whom its sleeping mother suffocated? Both have deserved nothing of good but the potter hath power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another into dishonour...' (Sermon 26)
Such thinking is certainly considered terrifying today, but we must not allow our preconceived notions of love and justice to cloud our apprehension of the truth.
The Doctor of Grace admitted, a child that dies without undergoing the laver of regeneration can not therefore experience the beatific vision, but may receive the mildest of punishments. God certainly allowed one to die and one to live, which is due to His inscrutable wisdom and this is done for His greater glory. If we have to conjecture about such topics let us answer thus:
If that child who was tragically suffocated by it's mother were to be born, it may grow up to commit grave iniquity and accordingly suffer greater torment in Hell. Now, as God orders all creation to His preordained plan in His unsurpassed knowledge, He may allow this to happen to preserve the child from acting in that manner. A state of the mildest punishments is better than not to exist at all.
This logic may be considered draconian or hideous, yet its an attempt (however feeble) to defend God's justice and love.
Also, the saint believed that in some mysterious manner, according to the unity of the human race, all men were present in Adam's loins and therefore guilty of his sin which is transmitted to them.
He quotes from the saint and states that this doctrine is horrifying although essentially the same as one passage of St Paul:
'Two little children are born. If you ask what is due, they both cleave to the lump of perdition. But why does its mother carry the one to grace, while the other is suffocated by its mother in her sleep? Will you tell me what that one deserved which was borne to grace, and what that one deserved whom its sleeping mother suffocated? Both have deserved nothing of good but the potter hath power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another into dishonour...' (Sermon 26)
Such thinking is certainly considered terrifying today, but we must not allow our preconceived notions of love and justice to cloud our apprehension of the truth.
The Doctor of Grace admitted, a child that dies without undergoing the laver of regeneration can not therefore experience the beatific vision, but may receive the mildest of punishments. God certainly allowed one to die and one to live, which is due to His inscrutable wisdom and this is done for His greater glory. If we have to conjecture about such topics let us answer thus:
If that child who was tragically suffocated by it's mother were to be born, it may grow up to commit grave iniquity and accordingly suffer greater torment in Hell. Now, as God orders all creation to His preordained plan in His unsurpassed knowledge, He may allow this to happen to preserve the child from acting in that manner. A state of the mildest punishments is better than not to exist at all.
This logic may be considered draconian or hideous, yet its an attempt (however feeble) to defend God's justice and love.
Also, the saint believed that in some mysterious manner, according to the unity of the human race, all men were present in Adam's loins and therefore guilty of his sin which is transmitted to them.
Random Thought
Far from abolishing free will, grace enables it.
“For grace is given not because we have done good works, but in order that we may be able to do them.” - St. Augustine of Hippo.
“For grace is given not because we have done good works, but in order that we may be able to do them.” - St. Augustine of Hippo.
Tuesday, 15 June 2010
The 'Reality' of Evil
I found this quotation concerning a pagan myth from my reading of Saint Gregory of Nyssa in his 'Oratio Catechetica':
'...the bitch looking into the water at the shadow (reflection) and letting go its real food, as she opens her mouth to swallow the shadow of food and so remains hungry'
He continues, 'In a similar fashion, the mind, being cheated of its desired for that which is really good, was carried away to what is unreal through the deception of the counsellor and inventor of evil, by having been persuaded that that truly is beautiful, which is the opposite of beautiful...'
Monday, 14 June 2010
Many Confess, Few Repent...
I would like to share this article with you, with I believe is very necessary for our times. It is from an Eastern 'Orthodox' source, but it contains many truths that we must meditate on and actualise in our lives.
http://preachersinstitute.com/2010/02/many-confess-few-repent/
The essence of the Priesthood - Modern Requirements
It is with a touch of irritation that I write this piece, and a sense of bemusement. At the end of this week, I had read from Father Zuhlsdorf that the great Saint John Vianney will not, as promised, be proclaimed as patron of all priests. It has been 'explained' that the Cure D'ars is not sufficiently representative of the form of life conducted by the 21st century priesthood. Did the man who became a Victim for our Lord, through offering the clean oblation, who spent many hours in a cramped confessional, who converted his town and its environs and put Satan to flight, not approach the sanctity necessary to inspire us all? Or did the Frenchman not engage in the adequate quantity of social justice and equality schemes?
Such absurdity begs the pertinent question what is the essence of the priesthood? A sense of novelty pervades our culture, where an item or an aspect must appeal to whims and sentiments. Yet, what we lack is not a treasure, but a sufficient reverence and consideration for the many great gifts we have been given. In our fickleness we have cast aside pearls and taken up in eagerness what truly belongs to the swine.
Let us therefore turn to the teaching of the Church, who is 'the pillar and foundation of truth' (1 Tim. 3:15), which will preserve us from modernist innovations and from being tossed about 'by every wind of doctrine' (Eph. 4:14). The great Council of Trent condemned the heretical position of the 'reformers' that, 'there is not in the New Testament a visible and external priesthood; or that there is not any power of consecrating and offering the true body and blood of the Lord, and of forgiving and retaining sins; but only an office and bare ministry of preaching the Gospel'. It must be noted that the offering of the Sacrifice of the Mass is given first place, and not the evangelizing of peoples, although this certainly flows out from the efficacy of the Oblation upon the Altar.
Day by day, the priest ascends to the place of sacrifice accompanied by the Immaculate Mary and surrounded by the angels. At the foot of the Altar, he confesses his sinfulness, humbling himself before the congregation and pleading for mercy from the Eternal Father. No man is worthy of such a dignity that surpasses the angels, and no man can take such a calling upon himself (Heb. 5:4). Saint John Chrysostom writes accordingly, 'The work of the priesthood is done on earth, but it is ranked among heavenly ordinances. And this is only right, for no man, no angel, no archangel, no other created power, but the Paraclete Himself ordained this succession' (On the Priesthood). What a truly awesome sight it would have been to be present when holy Elijah called down fire from heaven to consume an animal, yet the priest of our Lord Christ, calls down the Source of all life, the Holy Spirit to bless this offering (Veni Sanctificator omnipotens aeterne deus: et benedic hoc sacrificium tuo sancto nomini praeparatum), so that it may be borne by the hands of the angels to the sight of His Divine Majesty. For many epochs, men could not even offer a sacrifice worthy of a single life, but now, according to the condescension of the Word, a sacrifice is offered that is worthy of God.
The priest, a man taken from many to confect the Eucharist, for the praise and glory of His name and the good of all holy mother Church, must recognise His unworthiness to stand in the Person of Christ. As he is called to offer the perpetual yes of the Son to the Heavenly Father, the priest must be conformed more closely than all to the Lord. From the very moment of His incarnation in the terrestrial paradise that is the womb of the Mother of God, grace flowed by His divine Person to His Sacred Humanity, consecrating Himself to the High Priesthood whereby He offers Himself. Priest and victim. Accordingly the ordained must himself, although sinful and erring, live the life of a continual oblation before God. He must in his own person become the offering at the altar. Christ was and remains (Hebrews 7:25) the eternal high priest of our religion, showing His precious wounds before His Father, from which out poured blood which cries out for forgiveness more than Abel's (Heb 12:24). We have been released from the snare (Ps 124:7), even though we were 'children of wrath by nature'(Eph 2:3) worthy of the fiercest punishment. However, through the ineffable mercy of our Good Lord, a sacrifice of propitiation has been offered sufficient for the salvation of all.
The ministerial and sacramental priesthood of the New and Everlasting Covenant is called to perpetuate the Pure Offering predicted in Micah 1:11 to acknowledge the greatness of God's Most Holy Name. Above the head of the priest after each consecration, the Sacred Victim is held aloft for our adoration, and 'our eyes are on the Lord our God till He show us His mercy' (Ps 122:2). His whole life must be dedicated to this offering, his heart lifted up (Sursum corda)to his treasure in Heaven. He is however not alone, the Holy Spirit Who proceeds from the Father and the Son, constantly remains with him, as He did with our Lord Jesus, bestowing grace upon him. The priest must turn to the help of Christians, the Mother of God, whose mantle protects the priests of her Son in a most special manner. For her to reject His priests, would be to reject her Son. He is required to humbly plead for all men, most especially those under the care of Mother Church, for whom the Sacrifice in the first place is offered for. Yet, his prayers are not restricted to those under his care, but must extend to all men, of whatever nation, culture or language, most importantly for the salvation of their souls. No social justice programme can more effectively live the sojourn of the Saviour on earth who set aside the glory due to His Person and humbled Himself (Philipians 2:6-7), who came to die. Social justice which has its place can only ever free man from economic burden but abandons him still to sin and slavery to corruption. It has been said that if they had been four more men of the holiness of Saint John Vianney on this earth, Satan would have been completely powerless, simply because of the efficacy of the prayers poured out from such a tender, loving heart.
Such truths that I have outlined, however uncultured they may be stated, with poor rhetorical skill, should astound all of us. It is most likely that the profound nature of the priesthood is an aspect (in fact, it is the actual reality) of Holy Orders that few Catholics even recognise, beyond a mere notion of a social worker in robes. It is a deplorable fact, yet, we have lost the realisation of the gift and the glory that is the priesthood.
We have now come to the conclusion of the year of the priesthood that our beloved Holy Father in his wisdom had called, but prayers are more than ever needed for our pastors. At the end of their lives, they will be called to account for the souls entrusted to them, and such a burden is terrifying responsibility. Let us therefore venerate our priests as Christ Himself.
Much more could be written concerning the Sacred Priesthood, including the Sacrament of Penance, his prayer, celibacy, Marian devotion, yet I will leave such components to those qualified to do so.
May the grace of our Lord Christ be with you all. Glory be to thee, our God, glory be to thee and praise to His spotless Mother.
Random Thought
For many epochs, man could not even offer a sacrifice worthy of his own life, yet now, he offers a Sacrifice worthy of God.
Thursday, 10 June 2010
Fruits of Lectio Divina
The reading is taken from the Epistle to the Hebrews 4:1-11.
The Divine Apostle states that the promise made to the Jewish people remains and that we who are Christians, are being called to the land that was announced to the Blessed Patriarchs. The institution of the New Covenant made effective by the most precious blood of the Lamb was not brought about simply by God in haste after His previous attempts to convert man to Him had proven unsuccessful. From all eternity, the Heavenly Father had preordained His ineffable plan for the creation and subsequent redemption of man, to glorify His Sacred Name and unite the human race in grace to the divine trinitarian life.
Throughout time, seeds of truth were sown in the field of the world to predispose man to embrace with his whole being the Word Himself come down from heaven. This seed-bearing Word (logos spermatikos) led man to come to divine truth in a gradual manner whereby the human intellect would have the capacity to accept. Yet, if our heart's are hardened, the generous mercy of God will prove futile in relation to our souls, which will whither under a curse and be thrown outside among the weeping and gnashing of teeth. Let not earthly cares arise in our souls, corruptible treasure is no riches at all!
It is a law of this world that no man can enter into rest unless he has toiled or overcome something. Even though man is unworthy of such a blessed inheritance, he must work through love founded upon faith, to manifest wilfully man's natural desire to possess the Good. He must cast off disordered love for apparent goods to attain to the Summum Bonum.
If one returns to the Old Testament, the reason that a particular generation of Jews in the desert did not set foot on that blessed soil was that they refused to trust. They rallied against Moses, the Servant of the Lord, thereby disparaging the goodness of their Creator who had brought them out from the land of sin by the hand of Moses. 'Why O Moses, have you brought us to rot in the desert? Yes, we were slaves in a foreign land, yet we knew what to expect. We were fed, watered, clothed. But, we now suffer in misery, confounded in a land of no direction.'
They refused to work, to toil in darkness, to trust fully in the goodness of God, even though all appeared hopeless. Without hope, man is suffocated by the cares, exertions and tribulations of the current ages, but with faith, that is seeing with the mind of God, all is bearable and can not endured with patience.
Man will often sacrifice for peace in this world, yet what will we cast off in order to inherit the kingdom of the saints in light? Will we run this race, under the mantle of the Blessed Mother, or will be lost through disobedience?
For us Catholic Christians, who have been so greatly blessed, a worse condemnation is laid up for us if we neglect the graces to bring us to life.
The Divine Apostle states that the promise made to the Jewish people remains and that we who are Christians, are being called to the land that was announced to the Blessed Patriarchs. The institution of the New Covenant made effective by the most precious blood of the Lamb was not brought about simply by God in haste after His previous attempts to convert man to Him had proven unsuccessful. From all eternity, the Heavenly Father had preordained His ineffable plan for the creation and subsequent redemption of man, to glorify His Sacred Name and unite the human race in grace to the divine trinitarian life.
Throughout time, seeds of truth were sown in the field of the world to predispose man to embrace with his whole being the Word Himself come down from heaven. This seed-bearing Word (logos spermatikos) led man to come to divine truth in a gradual manner whereby the human intellect would have the capacity to accept. Yet, if our heart's are hardened, the generous mercy of God will prove futile in relation to our souls, which will whither under a curse and be thrown outside among the weeping and gnashing of teeth. Let not earthly cares arise in our souls, corruptible treasure is no riches at all!
It is a law of this world that no man can enter into rest unless he has toiled or overcome something. Even though man is unworthy of such a blessed inheritance, he must work through love founded upon faith, to manifest wilfully man's natural desire to possess the Good. He must cast off disordered love for apparent goods to attain to the Summum Bonum.
If one returns to the Old Testament, the reason that a particular generation of Jews in the desert did not set foot on that blessed soil was that they refused to trust. They rallied against Moses, the Servant of the Lord, thereby disparaging the goodness of their Creator who had brought them out from the land of sin by the hand of Moses. 'Why O Moses, have you brought us to rot in the desert? Yes, we were slaves in a foreign land, yet we knew what to expect. We were fed, watered, clothed. But, we now suffer in misery, confounded in a land of no direction.'
They refused to work, to toil in darkness, to trust fully in the goodness of God, even though all appeared hopeless. Without hope, man is suffocated by the cares, exertions and tribulations of the current ages, but with faith, that is seeing with the mind of God, all is bearable and can not endured with patience.
Man will often sacrifice for peace in this world, yet what will we cast off in order to inherit the kingdom of the saints in light? Will we run this race, under the mantle of the Blessed Mother, or will be lost through disobedience?
For us Catholic Christians, who have been so greatly blessed, a worse condemnation is laid up for us if we neglect the graces to bring us to life.
Wednesday, 9 June 2010
Latin Doctor Quote Of The Day
Saint Albert the Great:
"Do this in remembrance of me." Two things should be noted here. The first is the command that we should use this sacrament, which is indicated when Jesus says, "Do this." The second is that this sacrament commemorates the Lord's going to death for our sake. This sacrament is profitable because it grants remission of sins; it is most useful because it bestows the fullness of grace on us in this life. "The Father of spirits instructs us in what is useful for our sanctification." And his sanctification is in Christ's sacrifice, that is, when he offers himself in this sacrament to the Father for our redemption to us for our use. Christ could not have commanded anything more beneficial, for this sacrament is the fruit of the tree of life. Anyone who receives this sacrament with the devotion of sincere faith will never taste death. "It is a tree of life for those who grasp it, and blessed is he who holds it fast. The man who feeds on me shall live on account of me." Nor could he have commanded anything more lovable, for this sacrament produces love and union. It is characteristic of the greatest love to give itself as food. "Had not the men of my text exclaimed: Who will feed us with his flesh to satisfy our hunger? as if to say: I have loved them and they have loved me so much that I desire to be within them, and they wish to receive me so that they may become my members. There is no more intimate or more natural means for them to be united to me, and I to them. Nor could he have commanded anything which is more like eternal life. Eternal life flows from this sacrament because God with all sweetness pours himself out upon the blessed.''
Commemoration of Ss. Primus and Felician
Martyrs:
Primus and Felician were brothers. After suffering the most cruel torments for the Faith they were beheaded at Rome, A.D. 286.
Collect:
Ever make us, we beseech Thee, O Lord, honour the festival of Thy holy Martyrs Primus and Felician: and through their prayers may we obtain the gift of Thy protection. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, who liveth and reigneth...
'This is the true brotherhood which overcomes the wickedness of the world; it followed Christ, holding fast to the noble kingdom of heaven.'
Primus and Felician were brothers. After suffering the most cruel torments for the Faith they were beheaded at Rome, A.D. 286.
Collect:
Ever make us, we beseech Thee, O Lord, honour the festival of Thy holy Martyrs Primus and Felician: and through their prayers may we obtain the gift of Thy protection. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, who liveth and reigneth...
'This is the true brotherhood which overcomes the wickedness of the world; it followed Christ, holding fast to the noble kingdom of heaven.'
Wisdom of Christ - Part 3
It is not only through an intuitive vision of God that man may come to an apprehension of truth. As such a blessed state is closed off to men in this valley of tears, man must reach knowledge in another manner suitable to his condition.
The Angelic Doctor rightly states that the angels as personal pure spirits, attain knowledge, not solely through the Word, but, by 'a later knowledge whereby they know things in the things' own natures'. We human beings obtain truth concerning the external world through the senses. Our eyes, ears, hands etc, are instruments whereby one may be informed about sensible reality, where the actual forms of another person or item, are abstracted from their concrete existence and placed within the active intellect. For us, the presence of the active intellect enables the 'potential intellect' to comprehend the nature of material realities, appraise situations and engage in deductive reasoning. Those items that take their place around us, live, move and interact are true substances created by God, and, although but mere shadows compared to the deity, are not phantoms that dupe man to believe falsely that this world of the senses is real.
As the angels are not of a material, corporal nature, their knowledge can not be attaining through bodily functions, but rather is infused by the divine light. 'As God brings things into existing, so also He imprints the natures or likenesses of things in the angelic intellect'.
However, as mere material knowledge will not sustain a human soul, and as it's intellect is incapable through its own strength and powers to procure veracity, special revelation is required to raise us up.
It is fitting that no perfection according to the human soul should be found lacking in Christ's soul, other forms of knowledge must be accredited to Him therefore, in addition to the beatific vision. The first is appropriately titled 'experiential', whereby our Divine Redeemer as true man, deficient in nothing according to the flesh, apprehends truth through the instruments of the senses, just as His brothers, who are of the same stock as Him.
Second, His Eternal Father deposited within His soul, a knowledge so that His Son may 'know all the things that the natural knowledge of a human being can reach', so that He who is the Word who sanctifies should lack no perfection. As Jesus was perfect from His very conception in the womb of the Most Holy Mother, it is erroneous to believe that His intellect, albeit created, was lacking in human excellence. Before an intelligible form is abstracted and comprehended, the intellect remains potential until it is actualised, which is contrary to the nature of so great a Redeemer, the dispenser of all graces.
From this, it was necessary that He through all things were reconciled, whether in heaven or earth should receive in His incarnational mode of existence a third kind of knowledge. Such knowledge is of the mysteries of grace. As He came to redeem, to offer a propitiatory sacrifice, and to teach men to live in accordance with God's will, He must have understood His mission. Faith for the human person is the adherence of the intellect to a truth revealed by God on His divine authority, therefore the created intellect has the potential to grasp this truth, however it must be actualised by the Lord from on high. 'The light of the active intellect brings the human intellect into actuality to know natural things (through the senses), and the human intellect acquires knowledge of the mysteries of grace by the divine light (that is, by the gracious revelation by God).
It follows that knowledge of such things must exist in Christ in a preeminent manner, surpassing all men, but remaining within the created faculty of a human being.
We read in the Sacred Scriptures that 'Jesus grew in wisdom and stature' (Lk. 2:52), however this must be understood in reference to His experiential knowledge, whereby over the course of His blessed life on earth He came into contact with sensibly perceptible things, by the assumption of a body of flesh.
Such a question, however articulately answered by the Dominican falls short terribly of the truth concerning the ineffable hypostatic union, therefore let the Christian soul rest in awe with an 'O Altitudo'...
...of the Greek Variety
Saint Basil the Great:
''It has seemed to me to be desirable to send a letter to the bishop of Rome, begging him to examine our condition, and since there are difficulties in the way of representatives being sent from the West by a general synodical decree, to advise him to exercise his own personal authority in the matter by choosing suitable persons to sustain the labours of a journey,--suitable, too, by gentleness and firmness of character, to correct the unruly among us here; able to speak with proper reserve and appropriateness, and thoroughly
well acquainted with all that has been effected after Ariminum to undo the violent measures adopted there." (Epistle 69)
I have often read claims that in the early Church, the Bishop of Rome, exercised mere 'first among equals' status, and that the Greek Fathers certainly upheld this view. So here, which goes along rather nicely with a previous quotation from Saint Maximus the Confessor, one of the Holy Hierarchs professes belief in the jurisdiction of the Roman Pontiff.
''It has seemed to me to be desirable to send a letter to the bishop of Rome, begging him to examine our condition, and since there are difficulties in the way of representatives being sent from the West by a general synodical decree, to advise him to exercise his own personal authority in the matter by choosing suitable persons to sustain the labours of a journey,--suitable, too, by gentleness and firmness of character, to correct the unruly among us here; able to speak with proper reserve and appropriateness, and thoroughly
well acquainted with all that has been effected after Ariminum to undo the violent measures adopted there." (Epistle 69)
I have often read claims that in the early Church, the Bishop of Rome, exercised mere 'first among equals' status, and that the Greek Fathers certainly upheld this view. So here, which goes along rather nicely with a previous quotation from Saint Maximus the Confessor, one of the Holy Hierarchs professes belief in the jurisdiction of the Roman Pontiff.
Tuesday, 8 June 2010
Short Reflection For Trinity Sunday
I had intended to write up a short meditation on the Blessed Trinity for last Sunday, however, a series of Internet and laptop charger difficulties impeded my enthusiasm. I do not wish, in fact, would not dare to attempt to write something lofty on such a sublime mystery but I believe that it will be beneficial, at least for myself, to note such initial thoughts.
In the realm of empirical scientific studies, one can approach nature, or a phenomenon with a desire to expose its hidden truths, whereby one can then manipulate what one unearths in order to exert mastery. A chemical may be mixed, poured, drank. A rock may be kicked, prodded, or broken in many pieces. Such a method or approach is not possible when we consider the Blessed Trinity.
Instead of idly jabbing at an item of matter, attempting to comprehend its nature. One must rather embrace what God wishes to disclose about Himself. In this manner of revealing truth concerning the inner-trinitarian life, man is utterly helpless before the Divinity. His accumulated knowledge and his technology falls to the earth, completely incapable of rising to to a mystery that the greatest of the angels must prostrate themselves silently before. Let us not forget, although the Trinity may be expressed using human language and categorisation, our thoughts and words fall so short of reality, that they could be designated as lies. It must not be forgotten however, that man by his reason alone can reach the conclusion that God exists, is good, is infinite, is uncreated et cetera. Yet even such descriptions stumble to express who God actually is.
I wish to conclude with a pertinent quote from The Imitation of Christ:
“What good does it do to speak learnedly about the Trinity if, lacking humility, you displease the Trinity?”
In the realm of empirical scientific studies, one can approach nature, or a phenomenon with a desire to expose its hidden truths, whereby one can then manipulate what one unearths in order to exert mastery. A chemical may be mixed, poured, drank. A rock may be kicked, prodded, or broken in many pieces. Such a method or approach is not possible when we consider the Blessed Trinity.
Instead of idly jabbing at an item of matter, attempting to comprehend its nature. One must rather embrace what God wishes to disclose about Himself. In this manner of revealing truth concerning the inner-trinitarian life, man is utterly helpless before the Divinity. His accumulated knowledge and his technology falls to the earth, completely incapable of rising to to a mystery that the greatest of the angels must prostrate themselves silently before. Let us not forget, although the Trinity may be expressed using human language and categorisation, our thoughts and words fall so short of reality, that they could be designated as lies. It must not be forgotten however, that man by his reason alone can reach the conclusion that God exists, is good, is infinite, is uncreated et cetera. Yet even such descriptions stumble to express who God actually is.
I wish to conclude with a pertinent quote from The Imitation of Christ:
“What good does it do to speak learnedly about the Trinity if, lacking humility, you displease the Trinity?”
Latin Doctor Quote Of The Day
St. Peter Chrysologus
"He is The Bread sown in the virgin, leavened in the Flesh, molded in His Passion, baked in the furnace of the Sepulchre, placed in the Churches, and set upon the Altars, which daily supplies Heavenly Food to the faithful."
Comment: Let us not neglect this Heavenly Bread, which contains all graces to bring us to our inheritance. It is truly Christ Himself.
Tantum Ergo
As this Sunday, we celebrated the 1 class Feast of Corpus Christi, below I have attached a most beautiful renditions in two versions of Saint Thomas' Tantum Ergo. This, which is usually sung at Benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament of the Altar, is the last two verses of Pange Lingua.
The Latin original text is especially beautiful:
Tantum ergo Sacramentum
Veneremur cernui:
Et antiquum documentum
Novo cedat ritui:
Praestet fides supplementum
Sensuum defectui.
Genitori, Genitoque
Laus et jubilatio,
Salus, honor, virtus quoque
Sit et benedictio:
Procedenti ab utroque
Compar sit laudatio.Amen.
An English translation may be rendered thus:
Down in adoration falling,
Lo! the sacred Host we hail,
Lo! o'er ancient forms departing
Newer rites of grace prevail;
Faith for all defects supplying,
Where the feeble senses fail.
To the everlasting Father,
And the Son Who reigns on high
With the Holy Ghost proceeding
Forth from Each eternally,
Be salvation, honor, blessing,
Might and endless majesty.
Amen.
Before our senses appear a mere piece of bread, yet It contains an inexhaustable trove of treasures. Surrounding the Sacred Host, countless angels prostrate themselves before their Lord and Creator, and man, sinner as he is, under a veil gazes on his Redeemer. Let us place our hopes in our Eucharistic Lord, who through His ineffable goodness has humbled Himself once more to take His place on our Altars for our benefit and for the Glory of the Blessed and Undivided Trinity. If only we were to know the mercy of God in this Sacrament, we would tarry no longer, languishing in worthless pursuits but would kneel before in adoration our Crucified Messiah.
Saint Josemaria Escriva wrote:
''When you approach the tabernacle remember that he has been waiting for you for twenty centuries.''
The Latin original text is especially beautiful:
Tantum ergo Sacramentum
Veneremur cernui:
Et antiquum documentum
Novo cedat ritui:
Praestet fides supplementum
Sensuum defectui.
Genitori, Genitoque
Laus et jubilatio,
Salus, honor, virtus quoque
Sit et benedictio:
Procedenti ab utroque
Compar sit laudatio.Amen.
An English translation may be rendered thus:
Down in adoration falling,
Lo! the sacred Host we hail,
Lo! o'er ancient forms departing
Newer rites of grace prevail;
Faith for all defects supplying,
Where the feeble senses fail.
To the everlasting Father,
And the Son Who reigns on high
With the Holy Ghost proceeding
Forth from Each eternally,
Be salvation, honor, blessing,
Might and endless majesty.
Amen.
Before our senses appear a mere piece of bread, yet It contains an inexhaustable trove of treasures. Surrounding the Sacred Host, countless angels prostrate themselves before their Lord and Creator, and man, sinner as he is, under a veil gazes on his Redeemer. Let us place our hopes in our Eucharistic Lord, who through His ineffable goodness has humbled Himself once more to take His place on our Altars for our benefit and for the Glory of the Blessed and Undivided Trinity. If only we were to know the mercy of God in this Sacrament, we would tarry no longer, languishing in worthless pursuits but would kneel before in adoration our Crucified Messiah.
Saint Josemaria Escriva wrote:
''When you approach the tabernacle remember that he has been waiting for you for twenty centuries.''
First Solemn High Mass of Fr. Simon Harkins - Photos
On Saturday, I had the grace and privilege of attending the first Solemn High Mass of Father Simon Harkins FSSP at our cathedral in Edinburgh. His Eminence, our Archbishop was in attendance and preached the sermon on this most joyous of occasions. Also present at St. Mary's were a number of seminarians from both FSSP seminaries, Wigratzbad, Germany and Denton, USA along with their rectors, Very Rev. Fr. Josef Bisig and Very Rev. Fr. Franz-Karl Banauch, and a few members of the Sons of the Most Holy Redeemer from up north.
I here reproduce only a few images of the Mass, and ask you to click on the links given here. As I did not capture these moments, I believe that it will be more in accordance with justice to bring you to those who took time to do so.
http://benedictoblate.blogspot.com/2010/06/first-solemn-high-mass-in-presence-of.html
http://papastronsay.blogspot.com/
I here reproduce only a few images of the Mass, and ask you to click on the links given here. As I did not capture these moments, I believe that it will be more in accordance with justice to bring you to those who took time to do so.
http://benedictoblate.blogspot.com/2010/06/first-solemn-high-mass-in-presence-of.html
http://papastronsay.blogspot.com/
Wednesday, 2 June 2010
SSPX District Superior's Letter
''My dear brethren,
The Papal visit to Fatima this 13th May would provide the providential occasion for Benedict XVI to make the long-awaited consecration of Russia to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, although, to correspond to Our Lady’s request, it must be performed in union with all the bishops of the world. We may ask why it is that Russia, as opposed to some other nation, has to be consecrated specifically to the Holy Mother of God. The answer is quite simply that this vast country has been chosen as the means for punishing all those nations, which have been unfaithful to God’s Law, and hence it must be converted if the peace of Christ is to be given to the world and indeed to the Church.
Until its consecration and conversion have taken place, Russia will continue to spread its errors throughout the world. These errors have been classified under four headings: The First Error consists in Russia’s schism, dating back to the great schism of 1054, with the refusal of the primacy and the authority of the pope, and the consequent rejection of the dogma that outside the Church there is no salvation. The Second Error is that of atheistic Communism which reduces man to a mere economic unit, a means of production, at the service of the all-powerful state. This intrinsically perverse system denies God’s existence and condemns man to an inhuman existence in a totalitarian regime. The Third Error consists in Communism’s new façade, that of Globalism and a so-called universal democracy founded upon Marxist Communism. ‘Each element of the perestroika program is essentially founded on the idea that more socialism is needed.’ [Mikhail Gorbatchev, 1987] The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics was destined to absorb all the nations of the world into an entity without borders. Globalism and the idea of a global planet have now replaced the USSR but to the same end. As Communism denied social differences, so is globalism working to suppress national differences. The Fourth Error is that of Ecology or religious Globalism. ‘The present ecological crisis presents an opportunity to create an ecumenical theology, founded upon a sentiment of respect to a renewed environment, which could serve as a common denominator and a rallying-point for cooperation among the principle religions.’ [State of the World forum, 1996, founded by Gorbatchev] Ecology is thus the common denominator which the new world religion uses so as to dilute all religions. Ensuing from this is a new morality which is defined by its ‘respect for nature.’
The recent election campaigns of the major parties in this country have echoed all these errors with their Godless view of society, with their euro-socialist policies, and with their ecological hype with its new morality which is so opposed to the Catholic family. Hence the importance of the consecration of Russia and its conversion to the Catholic Faith, so that it will one day be at the service of Christ and His Church, a light to overcome the darkness. To this end the Rosary Crusade has been a resounding success with over 19 million Rosaries recited for this intention between May 2009 to March 2010!! The official tally from this country came to 218,645, as of the deadline last Easter Sunday, although I continue to receive returns at the time of writing. Deo Gratias et Maria!
Let us continue to watch andpray for we know not how long the errors of Russia will go onscourging this sinful world.
For other news:
I have been away for most of April preaching retreats to our Oblate Sisters at Saint Saviour’s House in Bristol, followed by a kind invitation from the superior of the U.S. District, Father Arnaud Rostand, to preach the priests’ retreat there from 12-17th April. This took place in Our Lady of Sorrows Retreat House in Phoenix, Arizona, and was attended by thirty-two Fathers. The retreat was based upon the life and times of a colourful nineteenth-century English prelate, Bishop Peter Baines ( 1786-1843), and allowed us to draw a number of considerations and lessons for our own priestly lives and ministries. It was good to have been able to renew acquaintances with confreres stationed in the USA and Canada, not least with those who had spent time working on the British mission over the past number of years. After the retreat I had the pleasure of visiting the Grand Canyon, some three hours drive away from Phoenix, with Father Robert MacPherson. We were both amazed by the beauty and scale of this natural wonder, which reflects thepower and majesty of the Creator, and to learn subsequently how its formation bears convincing testimony to the deluge at the time of Noah. I hope to include an article on this subject in a future issue of Mater Dei. Another powerful force of nature, that of the erupting volcano in Iceland, caused a ten day delay in my return flight from Houston to London, and so it was that I used the time spent in Texas as a fewdays of annual leave whilst celebrating daily Mass for our appreciative faithful in Spring, North Houston, at the Church of Saint Michael the Archangel. I returned on 30th April to an overflowing in-box and so I shall appreciate your patience as I try to catch up with things! For information with regard to the various forthcoming pilgrimages— Chartres, Glastonbury, Compostella, Canterbury, Walsingham—please refer to the various notices found elsewhere in this newsletter. Each of these are an occasion of grace and represent providential opportunities for introducing new-comers to the Catholic Faith.
With every good wish and blessing in Jesus and Mary,
Father Paul Morgan, Superior
The Papal visit to Fatima this 13th May would provide the providential occasion for Benedict XVI to make the long-awaited consecration of Russia to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, although, to correspond to Our Lady’s request, it must be performed in union with all the bishops of the world. We may ask why it is that Russia, as opposed to some other nation, has to be consecrated specifically to the Holy Mother of God. The answer is quite simply that this vast country has been chosen as the means for punishing all those nations, which have been unfaithful to God’s Law, and hence it must be converted if the peace of Christ is to be given to the world and indeed to the Church.
Until its consecration and conversion have taken place, Russia will continue to spread its errors throughout the world. These errors have been classified under four headings: The First Error consists in Russia’s schism, dating back to the great schism of 1054, with the refusal of the primacy and the authority of the pope, and the consequent rejection of the dogma that outside the Church there is no salvation. The Second Error is that of atheistic Communism which reduces man to a mere economic unit, a means of production, at the service of the all-powerful state. This intrinsically perverse system denies God’s existence and condemns man to an inhuman existence in a totalitarian regime. The Third Error consists in Communism’s new façade, that of Globalism and a so-called universal democracy founded upon Marxist Communism. ‘Each element of the perestroika program is essentially founded on the idea that more socialism is needed.’ [Mikhail Gorbatchev, 1987] The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics was destined to absorb all the nations of the world into an entity without borders. Globalism and the idea of a global planet have now replaced the USSR but to the same end. As Communism denied social differences, so is globalism working to suppress national differences. The Fourth Error is that of Ecology or religious Globalism. ‘The present ecological crisis presents an opportunity to create an ecumenical theology, founded upon a sentiment of respect to a renewed environment, which could serve as a common denominator and a rallying-point for cooperation among the principle religions.’ [State of the World forum, 1996, founded by Gorbatchev] Ecology is thus the common denominator which the new world religion uses so as to dilute all religions. Ensuing from this is a new morality which is defined by its ‘respect for nature.’
The recent election campaigns of the major parties in this country have echoed all these errors with their Godless view of society, with their euro-socialist policies, and with their ecological hype with its new morality which is so opposed to the Catholic family. Hence the importance of the consecration of Russia and its conversion to the Catholic Faith, so that it will one day be at the service of Christ and His Church, a light to overcome the darkness. To this end the Rosary Crusade has been a resounding success with over 19 million Rosaries recited for this intention between May 2009 to March 2010!! The official tally from this country came to 218,645, as of the deadline last Easter Sunday, although I continue to receive returns at the time of writing. Deo Gratias et Maria!
Let us continue to watch andpray for we know not how long the errors of Russia will go onscourging this sinful world.
For other news:
I have been away for most of April preaching retreats to our Oblate Sisters at Saint Saviour’s House in Bristol, followed by a kind invitation from the superior of the U.S. District, Father Arnaud Rostand, to preach the priests’ retreat there from 12-17th April. This took place in Our Lady of Sorrows Retreat House in Phoenix, Arizona, and was attended by thirty-two Fathers. The retreat was based upon the life and times of a colourful nineteenth-century English prelate, Bishop Peter Baines ( 1786-1843), and allowed us to draw a number of considerations and lessons for our own priestly lives and ministries. It was good to have been able to renew acquaintances with confreres stationed in the USA and Canada, not least with those who had spent time working on the British mission over the past number of years. After the retreat I had the pleasure of visiting the Grand Canyon, some three hours drive away from Phoenix, with Father Robert MacPherson. We were both amazed by the beauty and scale of this natural wonder, which reflects thepower and majesty of the Creator, and to learn subsequently how its formation bears convincing testimony to the deluge at the time of Noah. I hope to include an article on this subject in a future issue of Mater Dei. Another powerful force of nature, that of the erupting volcano in Iceland, caused a ten day delay in my return flight from Houston to London, and so it was that I used the time spent in Texas as a fewdays of annual leave whilst celebrating daily Mass for our appreciative faithful in Spring, North Houston, at the Church of Saint Michael the Archangel. I returned on 30th April to an overflowing in-box and so I shall appreciate your patience as I try to catch up with things! For information with regard to the various forthcoming pilgrimages— Chartres, Glastonbury, Compostella, Canterbury, Walsingham—please refer to the various notices found elsewhere in this newsletter. Each of these are an occasion of grace and represent providential opportunities for introducing new-comers to the Catholic Faith.
With every good wish and blessing in Jesus and Mary,
Father Paul Morgan, Superior
Tuesday, 1 June 2010
Saint Angela of Merici - 3 Cl.
She adopted the rule of St. Francis, and later founded the Order of the Ursulines uniting 'evangelical poverty to the merit of virginity'. She died A.D. 1540.
Collect:
O God, who through blessed Angela didst cause a new society of holy Virgins to grow up within Thy Church: grant through her intercession that we may lead lives of angels, so that shedding all earthly interests we may be found worthy to enjoy everlasting hapiness. Through our Lord Jesus Christ Thy Son who livest and reignest...
'For I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.'
Collect:
O God, who through blessed Angela didst cause a new society of holy Virgins to grow up within Thy Church: grant through her intercession that we may lead lives of angels, so that shedding all earthly interests we may be found worthy to enjoy everlasting hapiness. Through our Lord Jesus Christ Thy Son who livest and reignest...
'For I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.'
Tuesday - The Holy Angels
''As creatures of a spiritual nature, the angels are endowed with intellect and free will, like human beings, but in a degree superior to them, even if this is always finite because of the limit which is inherent in every creature. The angels are therefore personal beings and, as such, are also "in the image and likeness" of God. Sacred Scripture also refers to the angels by using terms that are not only personal (like the proper names of Raphael, Gabriel, Michael) but also "collective" (like the titles seraphim, cherubim, thrones, powers, dominions, principalities), just as it distinguishes between angels and archangels. While bearing in mind the analogous and representative character of the language of the sacred text, we can deduce that these beings and persons are as it were grouped together in society. They are divided into orders and grades, corresponding to the measure of their perfection and to the tasks entrusted to them.'' (Pope John Paul II, Angels Participate in the History of Salvation)
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