Thank God most Catholics have never heard of the Tablet. Thank God the vast majority of Catholics love and listen to Pope Francis and take his words in the way they are meant. No media tracts are going to sway me away from the faith of my fathers, a faith whose soil Pope Francis has turned and opened to the sun so that it may better yield a good crop and feed his flock. I am no academic but I have the heart of Rome to keep me right and ready to meet my maker. Like most of the faithful, despite what the media and opponents of Pope Francis would have you believe, I am neither confused nor doubtful. I am faithful and clear in my convictions and despite what Mac would have you believe I an honest in seeing AL for what it is: a wonderful work for the greater glory of God and the preservation and nurturing of family values.
That homily is not beautiful. It is vague. Where is he drawing the line? On what exactly is it sinful to be obstinate? Are the Ten Commandments to be regarded as "old wine-skins"? Are the words of Our Lord material to be discarded? What exactly is Truth? Is there any? On the basis of this sermon nearly all Christians from all times stand condemned. Maybe that's why they were rejected in Lesbos. I affirm myself as one who can't say "I don't see confusion...".
It may be a source of consolation that the liberals, who clearly identify Pope Francis as one of their own, are also confused and searching for clarity. Perhaps the Holy Spirit has ensured that the apparent liberal "champion" in the seat of Peter is not sufficiently coherent nor possessed of adequate intellectual nous to fulfil their programme? And he may well be the last chance for these predominantly old people. The succeeding generations of liberals tend to be nones. We, on the other hand have the (real) nuns. And hopefully priests, bishops and cardinals. The trads of various shades seem to be the only growth sector in Catholicism-we can exclude Africa because practically all appear to be obstinately traditional.
I would not underestimate the Lberals and their agenda. Who would have thought after Pope St John Paul and Pope Benedict that we would have followed up with an ultra Liberal (though confusing) Pontiff? Yet there you are we have one. If they did it once.... I feel at times like I am back in the sixties, love beads, Jesus sandals and all. Weird. Chill man.
I think the Millenials are far more liberal than their grandparents the baby boomers ever were. Even when the old hippies are gone, we will have the Millenials to contend with.
I am confused for sure but some of this. Is the obstinate Christian guilty of mortal sin? And then why would he say they can "never come to the fullness of truth?" I mean he speaks of mercy for everyone but a person who clings to tradition is not worthy of mercy? I think those who cling to tradition seem to me could be doing it from fear of offending God right? Ugh I just do not know anything.
I feel lost mself at times Steph. But kneeling at the Feet of Mary brings great peace and comfort. For after all we lay people cannot do much but pray for the Pope and the Church. But prayer is everything. I would guess, though that some of the poor Cardinals are just about pulling their hair out. Well I hope they are praying too.
So, if one steals and goes to confession (confesses) with a contrite heart can they receive the Eucarist? So, if one kills (murders) and goes to confession (confesses) with a contrite heart can they receive the Eucarist? Just a thought
An hour of darkness is coming upon My Church. . . . Keep watch before My Eucharistic Face, lest the spark of love and of knowledge be altogether snuffed out. Consecrate yourself to My Mother, and lift your eyes to her all–pure countenance. She is the star whom I have set in the darkness of the firmament lest those who belong to Me lose hope and perish in the tempest that threatens the very survival of all that I have done and of the works of My saints. Those who flee to my immaculate Mother and cling to her mantle of protection will emerge from the sorrows of this time and, after the raging tempest, will rejoice in a peace that the world cannot give. Amen, amen I say to you, that you shall lament and weep, but the world shall rejoice; and you shall be made sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy. (John 16:20) A facile compromise with the world has introduced corruption into the very places in My Church where I looked for loyalty to Me, for faithfulness, and for truth. Instead of loyalty, I find shameful alliances with the world and the powers that would rule over it. Instead of faithfulness, I find a falling away in little things that quickly will lead to a falling away in great things. Instead of truth, I find deceptive language and the distortions of what I have given to My Church in all clarity. Your part is to pray close to My wounded Heart, and to abide in the radiance of My Eucharistic Face . . . . Be sons of the Host for the Host and the seed of a new generation of adorers in spirit and in truth. Only remain with Me. Keep watch before My Face and listen to all that My Heart will say to you. I am here for you. Be here for Me, and so console My Heart, which so many of My own have forsaken. (From In Sinu Iesu, The Journal of a Priest) http://vultuschristi.org/index.php/2016/04/peace-after-the-tempest/
They seem to be out and out atheists and pagans. They will be a problem, but probably of a different kind. Their attack, which will be far more bald-headed and vicious, will be from without. Will anyone but the true believers be uncool enough to profess Catholicism by then?
My understanding, but this is probably quite obstinate on my part, is that one can receive Communion if one is unable to attend Confession beforehand but says a perfect act of contrition with the intention of attending Confession as soon as possible. Presumably, there would need to be a very compelling reason to receive in order to justify this.
I personally think that the Council of Trent was right and anyone who has committed Mortal Sin , no matter the Act of Contrition, should not go near the Eucharist if they have not been to confession. http://www.catholic.com/quickquesti...in-receive-communion-if-he-makes-a-perfect-ac
At funerals our parish priest invites everyone to come forward to receive holy communion, even if they have been away from the sacrament for some time, because it is a special occasion (these are the words he uses). I just cannot understand his thinking. I have heard him say that funerals are a great opportunity for grace... but how can there be grace in making a sacrilegious communion? I want to ask him about this but I'm not sure whether he should be confronted or whether it should be reported to the bishop (who is wonderful and highly orthodox, I might add). Conundrum...
He is very,very wrong indeed in doing this. The Cure of Ars, St John Vianney Patron Saint of Parish Priests wrote a great and very famous sermon on this very subject: http://www.churchmilitant.com/news/article/st.-john-vianney-on-unworthy-communions It outrages God more than all other mortal sins From "Sermon on Unworthy Communion," Book IV, 'Sermons inédits.' Unworthy Communions are frequent. How many have the temerity to approach the holy table with sins hidden and disguised in confession! How many have not that sorrow which the good God wants from them, and preserve a secret willingness to fall back into sin, and do not put forth all their exertions to amend! How many do not avoid the occasions of sin when they can, or preserve enmity in their hearts even at the holy table! If you have ever been in these dispositions in approaching Holy Communion, you have committed a sacrilege — that horrible crime, on the malice of which we are going to meditate. 1. It outrages God more than all other mortal sins. It attacks the Person of Jesus Christ Himself, instead of scorning only His commandments, like other mortal sins. 2. Whoever communicates unworthily crucifies Jesus Christ in his heart. He submits Him to a death more ignominious and humiliating than that of the Cross. On the Cross, indeed, Jesus Christ died voluntarily and for our redemption; but here it is no longer so: He dies in spite of Himself, and His death, far from being to our advantage, as it was the first time, turns to our woe by bringing upon us all kinds of chastisements both in this world and the next. The death of Jesus Christ on Calvary was violent and painful, but at least all nature seemed to bear witness to His pain. The least sensible of creatures appeared to be affected by it, and thus wishful to share the Saviour's sufferings. Here there is nothing of this: Jesus is insulted, outraged by a vile nothingness, and all keeps silence; everything appears insensible to His humiliations. May not this God of goodness justly complain, as on the tree of the Cross, that He is forsaken? My God, how can a Christian have the heart to go to the holy table with sin in his soul, there to put Jesus Christ to death? 3. Unworthy Communion is a more criminal profanation than that of the holy places. A pagan emperor, in hatred of Jesus Christ, placed infamous idols on Calvary and the holy sepulchre, and he believed that in doing this he could not carry further his fury against Jesus Christ. Ah! Great God! Was that anything to be compared with the unworthy communicant? No, no! It is no longer among dumb and senseless idols that he sets his God, but in the midst, alas, of infamous living passions, which are so many executioners who crucify his Saviour. Alas! What shall I say? That poor wretch unites the Holy of Holies to a prostitute soul, and sells him to iniquity. Yes, that poor wretch plunges his God into a raging Hell. Is it possible to conceive anything more dreadful? 4. Unworthy Communion is in certain respects a greater crime than the deicide of the Jews. Saint Paul tells us that if the Jews had known Jesus Christ as the Saviour they would never have put Him to suffering or death; but can you, my friend, be ignorant of Him Whom you are going to receive? If you do not bear it in mind, listen to the priest who cries aloud to you: Behold the Lamb of God; behold Him that taketh away the sins of the world." He is holy and pure. If you are guilty, unhappy man, do not draw near; or else tremble, lest the thunders of Heaven be hurled upon your criminal head to punish you and cast your soul into Hell. 5. Unworthy Communion imitates and renews the crime of Judas. The traitor, by a kiss of peace, delivered Jesus Christ to his enemies, but the unworthy communicant carries his cruel duplicity yet further. Having lied to the Holy Ghost in the tribunal of penance by hiding or disguising some sin, he dares, this wretch, to go with a hypocritical reverence on his face, and place himself among the faithful destined to eat this Bread. Ah! No, nothing stops this monster of ingratitude; he comes forward and is about to consummate his reprobation. In vain that tender Saviour, seeing that he is coming to Him, cries from His tabernacle, as to the perfidious Judas: "Friend, whereto art thou come? What, thou art about to betray thy God and Saviour by a sign of peace? Stop, stop, my son; I pray thee spare me!" Neither the remorse of his conscience nor the tender reproaches made him by his God can stop his criminal steps. He steps forward. He is going to stab his God and Saviour. O Heavens! What a horror! Can you indeed behold this wretched murderer of your Creator without trembling?
Not if they plan on continuing robbing and killing - without an ounce of contrition and because it's been said that's just an ideal and it might be better to continue robbing and killing "for the children."
What a mber: 2"]He is very,very wrong indeed in doing this. The Cure of Ars, St John Vianney Patron Saint of Parish Priests wrote a great and very famous sermon on this very subject: http://www.churchmilitant.com/news/article/st.-john-vianney-on-unworthy-communions It outrages God more than all other mortal sins From "Sermon on Unworthy Communion," Book IV, 'Sermons inédits.' Unworthy Communions are frequent. How many have the temerity to approach the holy table with sins hidden and disguised in confession! How many have not that sorrow which the good God wants from them, and preserve a secret willingness to fall back into sin, and do not put forth all their exertions to amend! How many do not avoid the occasions of sin when they can, or preserve enmity in their hearts even at the holy table! If you have ever been in these dispositions in approaching Holy Communion, you have committed a sacrilege — that horrible crime, on the malice of which we are going to meditate. 1. It outrages God more than all other mortal sins. It attacks the Person of Jesus Christ Himself, instead of scorning only His commandments, like other mortal sins. 2. Whoever communicates unworthily crucifies Jesus Christ in his heart. He submits Him to a death more ignominious and humiliating than that of the Cross. On the Cross, indeed, Jesus Christ died voluntarily and for our redemption; but here it is no longer so: He dies in spite of Himself, and His death, far from being to our advantage, as it was the first time, turns to our woe by bringing upon us all kinds of chastisements both in this world and the next. The death of Jesus Christ on Calvary was violent and painful, but at least all nature seemed to bear witness to His pain. The least sensible of creatures appeared to be affected by it, and thus wishful to share the Saviour's sufferings. Here there is nothing of this: Jesus is insulted, outraged by a vile nothingness, and all keeps silence; everything appears insensible to His humiliations. May not this God of goodness justly complain, as on the tree of the Cross, that He is forsaken? My God, how can a Christian have the heart to go to the holy table with sin in his soul, there to put Jesus Christ to death? 3. Unworthy Communion is a more criminal profanation than that of the holy places. A pagan emperor, in hatred of Jesus Christ, placed infamous idols on Calvary and the holy sepulchre, and he believed that in doing this he could not carry further his fury against Jesus Christ. Ah! Great God! Was that anything to be compared with the unworthy communicant? No, no! It is no longer among dumb and senseless idols that he sets his God, but in the midst, alas, of infamous living passions, which are so many executioners who crucify his Saviour. Alas! What shall I say? That poor wretch unites the Holy of Holies to a prostitute soul, and sells him to iniquity. Yes, that poor wretch plunges his God into a raging Hell. Is it possible to conceive anything more dreadful? 4. Unworthy Communion is in certain respects a greater crime than the deicide of the Jews. Saint Paul tells us that if the Jews had known Jesus Christ as the Saviour they would never have put Him to suffering or death; but can you, my friend, be ignorant of Him Whom you are going to receive? If you do not bear it in mind, listen to the priest who cries aloud to you: Behold the Lamb of God; behold Him that taketh away the sins of the world." He is holy and pure. If you are guilty, unhappy man, do not draw near; or else tremble, lest the thunders of Heaven be hurled upon your criminal head to punish you and cast your soul into Hell. 5. Unworthy Communion imitates and renews the crime of Judas. The traitor, by a kiss of peace, delivered Jesus Christ to his enemies, but the unworthy communicant carries his cruel duplicity yet further. Having lied to the Holy Ghost in the tribunal of penance by hiding or disguising some sin, he dares, this wretch, to go with a hypocritical reverence on his face, and place himself among the faithful destined to eat this Bread. Ah! No, nothing stops this monster of ingratitude; he comes forward and is about to consummate his reprobation. In vain that tender Saviour, seeing that he is coming to Him, cries from His tabernacle, as to the perfidious Judas: "Friend, whereto art thou come? What, thou art about to betray thy God and Saviour by a sign of peace? Stop, stop, my son; I pray thee spare me!" Neither the remorse of his conscience nor the tender reproaches made him by his God can stop his criminal steps. He steps forward. He is going to stab his God and Saviour. O Heavens! What a horror! Can you indeed behold this wretched murderer of your Creator without trembling? [/quote] This is a key point Brian. As I stated elsewhere I found AL to be quite profound in places and if truth be told a privelege to read. But here is the rub. ... Pastorally it will be a disaster. The Catholic world is already so fragmented in belief and practice and now we have the highest authority making an absolute hodge podge of some of the perennial moral and pastoral principles employed by the Church for centuries. We are all aware of the distinction between objective evil and subjective culpability; between vincible and invincible ignorance etc etc etc. The point however is simply that once one is cognisant of the moral law and the Church's own discipline etc then it behooves us to ensure that we live in accordance with these with the assistance of divine grace. Divine grace is more than sufficient for human weakness. Christ's blood has not gone anemic...Whatever happened to the concept of sacrifice. I am a married man and to live the Church's teaching with regards to the conjugal act requires sacrifice. Without the assistance of divine grace however I know that it would not be possible for me to live this truth about the beauty of the marital act. There was a time when I was unaware of these truths. There was a time when I was aware but ignored these truths. Would I present myself for communion. ..? Never. We can by degrees my friends blind ourselves to the basic demands of the moral law. This will have the consequence that I may not be subjectively guilty for some concrete particular act here and now. I am however responsible for the failure to seek the truth, I am however responsible for the many times I sought solace in my own self certainty and selfishness. In sum I am responsible for the many small steps along the path of moral suicide.
Even venial sin, i think it is good to make a very good Act of Contrition beofre recieving. Did you ever notice in the mass how often we are encouraged to contrition in the liturgy. Anyway this is one of the things about divorced people being allowed to recieve. It would be sacrilegious, to crucify Christ anew.
10 Inspiring Quotes from Amoris Laetitia Amoris Laetitia, the Pope’s apostolic exhortation on love in the family, has just been released. You can find it here. I highly encourage you to read the whole thing, though it’s quite lengthy. If you cannot get to it right away, here are ten quotations from the document: “I thank God that many families, which are far from considering themselves perfect, live in love, fulfil their calling and keep moving forward, even if they fall many times along the way. The Synod’s reflections show us that there is no stereotype of the ideal family, but rather a challenging mosaic made up of many different realities, with all their joys, hopes and problems.” [57] “Just as a good wine begins to ‘breathe’ with time, so too the daily experience of fidelity gives married life richness and ‘body’.” [231] “The life of every family is marked by all kinds of crises, yet these are also part of its dramatic beauty. Couples should be helped to realize that surmounting a crisis need not weaken their relationship; instead, it can improve, settle and mature the wine of their union.” [232] “I sincerely believe that Jesus wants a Church attentive to the goodness which the Holy Spirit sows in the midst of human weakness, a Mother who, while clearly expressing her objective teaching, ‘always does what good she can, even if in the process, her shoes get soiled by the mud of the street’.” [308] “We have been called to form consciences, not replace them.” [37] “Few human joys are as deep and thrilling as those experienced by two people who love one another and have achieved something as the result of a great, shared effort.” [130] “I think, for example, of the speed with which people move from one affective relationship to another. They believe, along the lines of social networks, that love can be connected or disconnected at a whim of the consumer, and the relationship quickly ‘blocked’… We treat affective relationships the way we treat material objects and the environment: everything is disposable; everyone uses and throws away, takes and breaks, exploits and squeezes to the last drop. Then, goodbye.” [39] “Young love needs to keep dancing towards the future with immense hope.” [219] “Here let me say a word to fiancés. Have the courage to be different. Don’t let yourselves get swallowed up by a society of consumption and empty appearances. What is important is the love you share, strengthened and sanctified by grace. You are capable of opting for a more modest and simple celebration in which love takes precedence over everything else.” [212] “Love needs time and space; everything else is secondary.” [224] https://thejesuitpost.org/2016/04/10-inspiring-quotes-from-amoris-laetitia/
