I think it just means we can’t take anything for granted. “The pope visiting Moscow” is looked for and hoped for as a fulfillment of Garabandal, but when (if?) it will actually happen is anyone’s guess.
it seems to me that this affects relations between the Holy See and the Russian Orthodox Church in such a way that mutual hostility can rekindle a distance between the churches as before Vatican II.
I had the same conversation with the family. We were making plans for the summer and I had to remind everyone to be prepared for the unexpected due to the uncertainties of our troubled times. It brought back memories of my grandparents who navigated the dark days of the Great Depression with eight children. Every hope and dream they had was always followed by, "with the help of God."
there is still a possibility that Francis will try to soften the statement about Cyril (to maintain the diplomacy and ecumenical policy of Vatican II)
Julia, good post. One thing I have begun to realize is that the Orthodox Church is governed by the State, in a worldly sense. In other words, they severed union with the Pope in 1054 AD. So we Catholics acknowledge the Pope as the successor of Peter and the head of Christ’s Church on earth, So in a sense, the Pope could be right that Kirill is Putin’s altar boy. I say this as someone who is somewhat familiar with Eastern Orthodoxy. There is no central spiritual head of all of the Orthodox. It is difficult for me to explain. It’s easier to think that they govern themselves. And generally, they are not fond of Catholics. This schism has lasted for centuries.
I am praying that Putin accepts the petition from the Holy Father to go to meet him in Moscow. The Pope seems to really want it. Putin, even if a sinful or even evil man, seems open to Our Lord in his own way (unlike our western leaders who mock God). If we pray for this intention, it will happen.
There is a little Grotto in the Garden were I go to Church at the moment, I love to sit there when passing by the Church. The other morning a little family noticed me there and came into join me . You are so blessed to have one . When I think grottos I think miracles . It is just a matter of having Faith .
I loved the conversation I overheard between two old gentlemen outside a Church a couple of years ago when they started all this craziness 'They think they were meant to live forever!' To which the other replied, 'They're all mad!' This cheered me up a lot. At mass on holiday at the moment I sit in the cry Chapel to stay unnoticed because unmasked. I feel like one of the ten lepers
This is so true at the present time. The passage of Scripture it most reminds me of is the storm at sea, when Jesus calmed it. We are all of us in that Great Storm. Through prayer and the Sacraments Jesus calms the storms of fear in our hearts . I noticed in the Church reading about Jesus walking on water. He was not showing off. He had things to do and walking on water was the easiest way of doing it. It seems to me Jesus is walking on water at the moment, trying to save His Church. We just don't see it.
God writes straight in crooked lines. On the face of it it seems crazy to travel to Moscow. But perhaps God intends to use this craziness to set straight the crooked ways. Humanly speaking this trip seems daft. But perhaps God intends to use it.
HH, you are also describing all the protestant Churches, this is how they work as well, with no central spiritual head of these breakaway Churches. Also worthy to note the modernist movement within the Vatican and beyond are not fond of traditional Catholics either. The Roman Catholic Church in China under this papacy has gone that way as well. And from what I can gather it looks like the Synodal path will steer the Roman Catholic Church into the same type of governance as the post reformation Church of England (known pre reformation as the Church in England).
Is Pope Francis capable of diplomacy? And most of his words and deeds heretofore have actually been in contradiction of what the Fathers said in Vatican II (as is the case with the entire 'pro-VII' cabal).
Funnily enough, nearly everyone has stopped wearing masks at Mass in our local church. Especially the older people. Some of the younger ones (not a lot of that age-group present) who continue to wear them might only be doing so out of deference to their elders.
To be fair I believe the Orthodox Churches hold more firmly to the Faith handed down from the Apostles. But falling out with Rome is their biggest hurdle. I think. You may know more about the Orthodox Churches, and it would be lovely to hear more about how much the Roman Catholic Church shares in the Faith of our Fathers in common with them.
Litany to Our Lady of Fatima Our Lady of Fatima, pray for our dear country. Our Lady of Fatima, sanctify our clergy. Our Lady of Fatima, make our Catholics more fervent. Our Lady of Fatima, guide and inspire those who govern us. Our Lady of Fatima, cure the sick who confide in thee. Our Lady of Fatima, console the sorrowful who trust in thee. Our Lady of Fatima, help those who invoke your aid. Our Lady of Fatima, deliver us from all dangers. Our Lady of Fatima, help us to resist temptation. Our Lady of Fatima, obtain for us all that we lovingly ask of thee. Our Lady of Fatima, help those who are dear to us. Our Lady of Fatima, bring back to the right road our erring brothers. Our Lady of Fatima, give us back our ancient fervour. Our Lady of Fatima, obtain for us pardon of our manifold sins and offenses. Our Lady of Fatima, bring all men to the feet of thy Divine Child. Our Lady of Fatima, obtain peace for the world. O Mary conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee. Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us now and at the hour of our death. Amen. Let Us Pray O God of infinite goodness and mercy, fill our hearts with a great confidence in Thy dear Mother, whom we invoke under the title of Our Lady of the Rosary and our Lady of Fatima, and grant us by her powerful intercession all the graces, spiritual and temporal, which we need. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
