It was a big, big, big mistake to remove the prayer to St Michael at the end of mass. Big, big, big mistake.
I think you know that it better to ascribe good motives rather than bad to people with whom we disagree on this topic. I have had time to get to know most of the people poting on this topic and we are all I think very, good devout and well meaning children of the Church. I realy do think people have a perfect right to ask questions. If we think charitble thoughts on the people we disagree wti then the tone of the discussion becomes such that we can actually learn from each other rather than confronting each other and lecturing each other. Talking with people, rather than talking to them. We can learn from each other only if we do not judge each other . Also I think it helps if we intend to reply to a post to do so point by point, it saves us drifing away onto the cold Outer Reaches of Space. Perhaps God does not judge us so harshly as we are sometimes inclined to judge eash other. I certainly hope so, anyway.I am afriad issuing stern lectures to people on how bad and wicked they are is not going to cut it. I recall one French Cardinal, a great theologian, at the time of the Protestant so called, 'Reformation', saying of St Francis De Sales, 'I can refute and confound the Protestants but Francis only cna win them over.' St Francis De Sales was said to have converted some 60,00 Lutherans in Switzerland and France. His byword was being sweet and pleasant and loving. We could learn a lot here. 'Nothing is so strong as gentleness, nothing so gentle as real strength.' 'Never be in a hurry; do everything quietly and in a calm spirit. Do not lose your inner peace for anything whatsoever, even if your whole world seems upset.' St Francis De Sales
Even the shortened prayer I recite after a Low Mass is lacking. Just what did Pope Leo see? “These most crafty enemies have filled and inebriated with gall and bitterness the Church, the spouse of the immaculate Lamb, and have laid impious hands on her most sacred possessions. In the Holy Place itself, where the See of Holy Peter and the Chair of Truth has been set up as the light of the world, they have raised the throne of their abominable impiety, with the iniquitous design that when the Pastor has been struck, the sheep may be. '' Short Prayer to St. Michael the Archangel The well-known short version of this prayer follows in English and Latin. The Pope ordered this prayer to be recited daily after Low Mass in all the churches throughout the Catholic world. However this practice was almost completely swept away in the 1960s by liturgical changes made in the wake of Vatican Council II. Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle, be our protection against the malice and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him we humbly pray; and do thou, O Prince of the Heavenly host, by the power of God, thrust into hell Satan and all evil spirits who wander through the world for the ruin of souls. Amen.Sáncte Míchael Archángele, defénde nos in proélio, cóntra nequítiam et insídias diáboli ésto præsídium. Ímperet ílli Déus, súpplices deprecámur: tuque, prínceps milítiæ cæléstis, Sátanam aliósque spíritus malígnos, qui ad perditiónem animárum pervagántur in múndo, divína virtúte, in inférnum detrúde. Ámen
Kasper also says in this interview with regard to the admittance of “remarried” divorcees to the Sacraments: “The door is open. … There is also some freedom for the individual bishops and bishops’ conferences. … Not all Catholics think the way we Germans think.” And he concludes: “Here [in Germany,]something can be permissible which is forbidden in Africa. Therefore, the pope gives freedom for different situations and future developments.” Looks like the hermeneutic of rupture and revolution is the path that Kasper wants to follow. He has the mind of a protestant.
' Looks like the hermeneutic of rupture and revolution is the path that Kasper wants to follow. He has the mind of a protestant.' I agree. Having a wayward Bishop or Cardinal is nothing new. The problem is what PF thinks of him. And this is the man whose proposal is the inspiration for the upcoming Synod on the Family and whose theology of “mercy” is allegedly “doing theology on one's knees”. If God sentenced Arius to a painful death by diarrhea for denying the deity of Jesus then I'm afraid to know what he will do to those who follow Kasper's denial of the immutability of God.
We are witnessing a great unfolding drama in our midst of cosmic proportions (Third Secret of Fatima). The hermeneutic of rupture and revolution is about to take off full blast. The progressive are delighted with AL because they can misuse it to pursue their own personal radical agendas. They are salivating at the prospect of getting to do whatever they desire free from the shackles of Rome. Souls are at stake. Our Lady's Message of June 18, 1965 (Garabandal) Since my message of October 18, 1961 has not been complied with and has not been made much known to the world, I will tell you that this is the last one. Before the chalice was filling now it is overflowing. Many Cardinals, many Bishops, and many Priests are on the path of perdition and they take many souls with them. To the Eucharist, there is given less and less importance. We should avoid the wrath of God on us by our good efforts. If you ask pardon with your sincere soul God will pardon you. It is I, your mother, who through the intercession of St. Michael, wish to say that you amend, that you are already in the last warnings and that I love you much and do not want your condemnation. Ask Us sincerely and we will give to you. You should sacrifice more. Think of the passion of Jesus. Akita Each day, recite the prayers of the Rosary. With the Rosary, pray for the Pope, the bishops and the priests. The work of the devil will infiltrate even into the Church in such a way that one will see cardinals opposing cardinals, and bishops against other bishops. The priests who venerate me will be scorned and opposed by their Confreres. The Church and altars will be vandalized. The Church will be full of those who accept compromises and the demon will press many priests and consecrated souls to leave the service of the Lord. "The demon will rage especially against souls consecrated to God. The thought of the loss of so many souls is the cause of my sadness. If sins increase in number and gravity, there will no longer be pardon for them."
Since most of us believe the Akita message to be true...."The demon will rage especially against souls consecrated to God. The thought of the loss of so many souls is the cause of my sadness. If sins increase in number and gravity, there will no longer be pardon for them." And we know that sins have increased, How can anyone focus so heavily on the Mercy of God???Rather than balanced Justice and mercy? Does Pope Francis mention... 'There will no longer be pardon for them'? Of course not. While sins have increased PF believes we will all meet in heaven.
There you go again Padraig. Is it an unreasonable request to ask you to listen TO what I say when you want to talk WITH me, to quote what I say rather than what you think I have said or even what you would have liked me to have said. You know the subterfuge of Macs posting and what he is constantly promoting and demoting namely the Church before and after Vatican II. NOTHING IS SACRED TO HIM IN THE CHURCH OF TODAY AND HE WILL STOP AT NOTHING IN HIS EFFORTS TO PORTRAY IT IN A BAD LIGHT. This is why I feel I have to pin him down when he sows his darnel with almost imperceptible slight of hand. Perhaps you, Padraig, should also take the words of St Francis on board. This is your patch. You have control. I know that. That does not mean I have to tolerate yours or Macs or anyone's attacks unchallenged nor your attempts to muzzle my defence of Pope Francis. Your comment led me to reading an article from the Salesian Centre of Spirituality "The Sterness of the Gentle Francis de Sales". He struggled with his anger for 20 years before he died from a stroke at the age of 55. He began with a deep conviction that he was damned to hell and this led him to despair that resulted in physical and mental illness. Then he conscrated himself to Our Lady through an image of The Black Maddonna. (this is all being texted) I don't know how long it took him to finally decide that the only way to preach effectively was to do it with love. That began to happen after his consecration when he came to conclusion that God in his love only wanted good for him and not damnation. Of course the wisdom of good ordinary folk have always adhered to the old saying about honey and vinegar and Francis had a ready made audience. He was in the right place at the right time and he did the right thing and he did it very well. So well that he is now a Saint. Thursday's child (me) has far to go but I am getting there. I do not condemn anyone but I believe I should be free to express my concern for so called Catholic souls who renounce and denounce and falsely accuse (in my considered opinion) the Vicar of Christ and who may lead others into their own error especially when they leave others with impression that they are in full communion with Rome and lend authority to their comments with this impression. I have not insulted anyone in this endeavour nor misrepresented their actions or intentions. I say if they are going to adopt Protestant practice so be it but don't call it Catholic and attacks on the Pope are the most Protestant of practices. I am quite certain that St Frances would not have given this free reign either and that it would have brought out his stern side.
What you write is beautiful and your compassion for the youth of today is inspirational! And you see the Holy Spirit working through Our Holy Father where so many others can't. Like so many of the Churches great saints you humbly acknowledge Gods Power and know that His ways are not our ways; and therefore see God's Mercy and love in all things. Knowing what high price God paid for our soul and for each and every other soul, how could we not see Jesus in the weak, the lost, the hungry, the imprisoned, the sick and what has He told us to do for them? He grieves the Loss of 'every soul that is lost' therefore, we pray, we accept and we trust we March on with His banner of Love just as you are doing by speaking to many souls who have never really heard the magnificent and beautiful truths, of Our faith. You are trully Blessed Joe with your disposition and the way you speak with clarity to so many in your clinic and those you come in contact with and here on the forum. Because like you say, so many have never heard these truths about Our Faith and most are eager to learn and hungry for the truth. And just like Our Holy Father you are looking for the lost sheep, you are visiting the sick and the imprisioned and you are feeding the hungry. I have seen many a good child speak something beautiful only to have it discounted or attacked by a disgruntled brother or sister! But these children grow up and leave their childish ways behind them and so Yes we are called to form consciences, not to replace them. It just takes a lot of time for some children.
Thinking a little more about St Francis de Sales and his struggle with depression and anger. Modern psychology has long since seen depression as anger turned in. If this was his condition my heart truly goes out to him and I am sure he now appreciates being considered as a real person and not some sugar coated Saint. In this light his well known words about the cross that is assigned to each one of us makes much more sense being a reflection of his own experience.
I was once chased by one of these through the streets of Notting Hill. I climbed up on the roof of a parked camper van til the owner got it under control. They were also used to good effect in The Omen. Worse than a wolf in wolf's clothing. It has not slipped my attention that we are somehow connected by your dogs. I think they are Akitas, dogs bred to bring down bears. There are bears in the mountains near Garabandal in Spain and Bears in the woods around Akita in Japan. We are told to expect Russia as the source of Tribulation. The symbol of Russia is the bear. (I remember I have posted something like this before. Must be getting old. Repeating myself) I also read that Akita owners must know dogs well. One dog handler said it was the breed he considered most savage and aggressive even more than pit bulls. So I suppose you know all about anger and aggression and how important it is to keep them under control. Just remember I am not one of your dogs. I am a little older than you and suspect my life experiences far exceed yours in their scope of practice. You may even have something to learn from me as I have from you. May the peace of Christ reign in our hearts and may His Truth rule our lives. Love covers a multitude of sins. May it cover ours.
The Cross The everlasting God in His wisdom; Has foreseen from all eternity the cross that He now presents to you, As a gift from His inmost heart. This cross He now sends you He has considered with His all-knowing eyes, Understood with His divine mind, Tested with His wise justice, Warmed with loving arms and Weighed with His own hands' To see that it be not one inch too large and not one ounce too heavy for you. He has blessed it with His Holy Name, Anointed it with His consolation, Taken one last glance at you and your courage, And then sent it to you from heaven, A special greeting from God to you, And a blessing from the all-merciful love of God. St Francis de Sales
Having my morning tea in the titanic museum belfast and I nearly choked on my scone thinking of you legging it from that dog...brilliant
Glad I gave you a laugh. I'd love to go back home when next I visit Scotland. That's what they always said to me in Tyrone: "When are you coming home." Even my old dads memorial card has a picture of the Old Cross of Ardboe on it. I have a model of the cross made of compressed turf. It's like having a bit of home here in New Zealand. I wonder if anyone sees the true cross in the exhortation. I wonder if anyone sees that salvation is in its construction. That salvation is the joy of love. Fr Hardon defined joy as the satisfaction of a soul surrendered to the will of God. Such is the soul of Pope Francis. I recently read about the difficulty a Protestant had in accepting that Jesus could be present but invisible in bread of communion. How he missed the full truth of the Eucharist that the consecrated bread is no longer bread and does not contain Jesus but is the glorified Lord Himself whole and entire, body, blood soul and divinity. He simply has the appearance of bread. Only God can offer faith in this. Only God can confirm this faith. Only in faith can we meet and commune with God in this form. (Just thinking out loud.) There were those who found His words to hard to swallow during His time on earth. Why should we be surprised if people of today say they find it too much too. But they do have a choice. The offer has been made. How great is the need of the education the world will receive in the approaching Warning. "That they believe in the One whom He has sent" this we are told is the work of God. The joy of love and the love of joy are the way to Salvation and in The Eucharist we are graced with eternal life. Amoris Laetitia.
Joe, You have more people on your side then you think. The Macs, Brian's and sometimes Garbandals are the extremists. You can shout from the top of the mountains and they won't listen. Say your peace and continue to protect the faithful. But don't take it personal. We will continue to have these debates as long as the forum exists. You will never change their mind. That is Gods job...just keep watering the flock. Two years ago, I mentioned the implementation was the problem with Vatican 2...now they are using the same argument for AI. That argument won't work until something actually transpires. At this point in time it is all conjecture on their part. I am going to publically be coming out (and not out of the closet). If a man/woman commits murder and have a path to receive communion. If a priest can commit adultery and have a path to recieve communion. Then, why not those couples that have denounced their sins with a contrite heart, who have gone through the process, who know understand the true meaning of marriage...have a path to recieve communion. I know a couple for the past three years, who have religiously gone to Sunday mass. They have paid there do's. Brother al
You obviously have not read my posts. I am no extremist and I take exception to that comment. Insults are just a means for the lazy to avoid having a debate. Debate me on what I have written instead of a cowardly underhand attack.
