Ooops. Now I'm feeling guilty about my most recent post. That's what so frustrating about Pope Francis. I truly believe that he wants to get everyone to Heaven. All of us, even the Pharisees. Sometimes I think that maybe I shouldn't be presenting myself for Holy Communion because of my suspicions. I know that I'm not worthy. I know that I don't have the right kind of personal relationship with Jesus. I know that I should just be grateful that I can receive and not bother about who else is in the Communion line. Maybe everything we know is wrong. Maybe everything I think I know is wrong. Maybe this guilty feeling is the Holy Spirit telling me to stay in the seat until I get in line with the Pope. I'll just have to ask the Holy Spirit to get Pope Francis to tell us precisely what is the line, and tell us via someone who can't be accused of misquoting him. Sorry to anyone who feels offended by what I've said.
Question: Did Our Lady mention the Pope specifically in this general apostasy of the Church in our time? Answer: On several occasions reported in Volume II, she spoke of an apostasy in the highest cubicle of the Church. For example, in the apparition of February 2, 1634, after Our Lady warned Mother Mariana of the many bad Superiors who would destroy the spirit of religion, she said: “Dire times will come, when those who should justly defend the rights of the Church will be blinded. Without servile fear or human respect, they will join the enemies of the Church to help them accomplish their designs.“Woe to the error of the wise, to he who governs the Church, the Pastor of the flock that My Most Holy Son confided into his care!”Further on, she added. referring to the role of the bad religious authorities in the crisis: “But when they will appear triumphant and when the authority will abuse their power, committing injustices and oppressing the weak, their downfall will be near. Paralyzed, they will fall to the ground” (Chapter 10)Therefore, while the message of Our Lady of Good Success, like that of Our Lady of Fatima, speaks of a great chastisement, it also offers the grand hope of a restoration of the Holy Church. http://www.fisheaters.com/forums/index.php?topic=1260077.0
Yes I can believe in these prophesies but not that they apply to Pope Francis. I believe the bad pope will come after the tribulation, warning and miracle in the time leading up to the Chastisement. The very actions of that evil pope will merit Chastisement and the whole human race will suffer for them but after Chastisement the whole human race and the Church will be utterly renewed. "Send forth Your Spirit and they shall be created and Thou shalt renew the face of the earth." After the Miracle humanity will turn back on its vomit as a dog does and like the possessed person who, delivered from one demon, was possessed by seven more and became worse than ever. The seers are convinced the Chastisement, although conditional, will come. Question. What can be worse than now that could bring this on? Answer The total corruption of Church and State in perfect unity and collaboration in defiance of the will of God. This is what will bring on Divine Chastisement. And it will be terrible to behold and even more terrible to suffer. One great pathognomonic of immaturity is the reluctance or inability to adapt to and accept change. As the pop psychologists say "It is not change that causes pain but resistance to change." (pathognomomic is a medical term used to describe signs and symptoms that indicate beyond doubt the presence of a condition.)
Dolours. Why not take those questions and concerns you have to the confessional. For me, many times, great wisdom comes in the confessional for my concerns and questions. If you are unsure if you are in a state of sin then ask and confess. Also I don't see how not agreeing with the Pope or being suspicious of him would make you unworthy to receive. I don't see the mortal sin there.
An analysis of Pope Francis’ response to the Lutheran woman (In answer to a blog by Jeanne Smits) [Translated from French by David Wilders, original text by his father] I listened to the video with great attention. This morning in the car I was listening to the podcast of Pope Francis’ intervention with the Lutherans. His intervention, very prudent, is far from the one that is portrayed. This is why I am glad for this occasion to observe the facts. In the blog, Jeanne Smits wrote: "To this women, therefore, who talks of her pain of not receiving communion with her husband". The question of the woman is not that question. She says she is married to a Catholic man, and that their marriage is a happy one, though there is the pain of being divided in faith, and to not be able to participate together in the last supper of the Lord. It is not therefore referring to "Eucharistic communion" (title of Jeanne Smits blog) but of participating, with her husband, to the Lutheran last supper (a very different subject). The woman continues saying "What can we do to achieve, finally, communion on this point?" She is not talking about receiving communion with her husband, but of communion in faith, as they are in communion for everything else in her life. You must note that in the video, Pope Francis is taking notes and listening very attentively. It is one of his characteristics, to really listen to those talking to him. In this case, the journalist twisted the question. Let us now get to the Pope’s response. 2 First, a few remarks on the style [Note from translator: The questions of style refer to this particular translation in French, and does not translate well. The point being made is that the style is not the Pope’s, but that of the translator.] To read this text or listen to the Pope are two very different realities. Whilst the translation is ambiguous, the Pope’s words are not. His answer is surprisingly well structured. We shall see how. Now to get to what the Pope said. Introduction : The Pope insists on the delicate nature of the question. He does not give a rapid, poorly thought out answer. He also lightens the atmosphere. Development: 1st part He asks once more the question on the "last supper of the Lord". Clearly, he knows the value Lutherans give to this passage. It’s a commemoration. The woman expressed her desire that her husband would participate at this commemoration. She did not ask to participate in the Catholic sacrament. The Pope therefore asks her to think about what the last supper is. He does not answer (he seems to invite the woman to truly search for the answer). 2nd part I think here there is a counter-sense in the translation. The Italian sentence is as follows: "É vero che in certo senso condividere e, e dire che non ci sono diferencia tra noi che abbiamo la stessa dottrina..." All depends on whether the "e" is and "and" or if it is the "é" of the verb "to be". If it is the verb to be, the Pope would be saying there is no doctrinal difference between Lutherans and Catholics. Is this reasonable? Would the Pope make such an enormity with any other precaution? In this blog, the Pope seems to have already been condemned, and the sentence is taken to be in its most absurd meaning. "For fools rush in where angels fear to tread". 3 It is far more logical to understand that the Pope is saying that even though there are doctrinal differences, there is a common point. He comes back to baptism. This is in line with a Pope who is attempting to find and make points that those listening can understand. To fetch them where they are to bring them to the Truth. The Pope takes the example of this woman’s married life, where she wishes to share her faith. It is a path followed together. 3rd part The Pope then does to show that Lutherans do not have the monopoly on baptism (the Pope never forgets that he is talking to Lutherans, and is looking to teach them Catholicism, not the abomination they are generally presented). The Pope uses confession, prayer and the catechesis to show that Catholics have nothing that goes against religion. 4th part Now that the Pope has shown that Catholics have a parallel with what Lutherans understand, he comes back to the question of the "last supper of the Lord" He can now move to the question that that Lutherans cannot accept, "This is my body, this is my blood". Lutherans think they have the right representation of the last supper. The Pope reminds them that it is something that must accompany us and help us continue advancing. 5th part Where the woman asked that her husband join in the last supper with the Lutherans, the Pope, very gently, turns the question around, with the anecdote of his Episcopalian friend. It is for her to join her husband at mass. He does not say she should receive communion, but reminds her that she must go and see, she must allow herself to be called by the Lord. 4 6th part The Pope then turns the question back to the woman. It is no longer he that is looking to impose an answer (on what authority for a Lutheran?) but it is now for her to find the answer, if she has a sincere heart. To convert. What must she do so that she may, with her husband, reap the fruits of the last supper every day? And to find the answer, she must come back to her baptism and the consequences it implies. (You can see how the Pope renders useless all Lutheran theological construct that would stop this woman from fully meeting the Lord). Conclusion The Pope therefore reminds her that he has nothing to say so that her husband joins her in the "Last Supper" of the Lutherans. It is not within his competencies. And it will not help her in her faith. The Pope reminds her however that her baptism is the baptism, which gives a single faith in the one Lord. She must follow the path that shows itself to her. It is called a conversion. Here is my analysis of this episode. I hope you understand the prudence I must have when receiving this kind of article that condemns the Pope. This episode is another example of the great gentleness of the Pope. But it also portrays the accuracy and pertinence of his answers towards those that ask the questions. The short answer would have been: Become Catholic and you can join your husband. But the Pope said it in such a way that it could be understood. https://cdn.fbsbx.com/hphotos-xpt1/...be2f3525e4f51c28545bc109f253&oe=564E974A&dl=1
For the Church. Great St Joseph, placed by God Over the Holy Family at Nazareth, Be a father to the whole People of God. Protect us in a special manner. You were elected by the Vicar of Christ To be our heavenly patron and protector, With the greatest confidence, therefore, I ask your powerful aid in this day. Shield the Holy Church of God from all harm, As it goes its pilgrim way. Teach it by your example, How to serve Christ in all men. With your fatherly Love protect our Holy Father, the Pope, and all the Bishops and Priests. Who are united to the see of Saint Peter. Pray to God that it be kept in purity of faith, Humility of heart, and docile to the Holy Spirit’s leading. Defend all those in the Church, who labour for souls, In the midst of trials and difficulties of this life; Win for all Nations, Unity of faith under one Shepherd. Foster in it the spirit of charity, Such love as filled it in its origins; As you yourself were, in your earthly pilgrimage. In the Holy Family fostered by you at Nazareth. Amen
I have no problem bringing my lack of charity to confession, including judging others. I really try not to judge because it hasn't been all that long since I thought that there were too many rules and regulations and that orthodox bishops were hypocrites. Now I've done a complete U-turn and realise how wrong I was. All this mercy without repentance talk would have made me more lax before the U-turn and I would have felt justified. Now I hear people I know who consider themselves good Catholics (and they are better Catholics than I) swallowing the media spin on the Pope's comments. The a-la-carte Catholics and completely lapsed Catholics are loving it. Their line is that they were right all along. They seem to think that the Pope is saying that all this go to Mass on Sunday and go to Confession at least once a year are unnecessary rules. Those who still profess to be Catholics are more protestant than some Protestants I know. I know that disagreeing with the Pope as a person is allowed. I'm worried, though, about his remarks about being "more Catholic than the Pope". Maybe I will talk to a priest about it. Thanks, Andy, for the suggestion.
Dolours your prayer above in the bold text, looks like it is answered in 'Infant Jesus of Prague' last post!
"The very actions of that evil pope will merit Chastisement..." Hypothetically, Joe, what actions could an evil pope do? Can't change doctrine, we know this to be true. And what would you do if an "evil Pope" did emerge? Would you feel the duty to speak to your family and catholic friends about him to guard them against his deception?
I suppose that my prayer is answered on this, although I had to read it a few times and very slowly to let it sink in. Which brings me back to the need for a mini-magisterium unless everyone has a David Wilders stashed in their back room. Thanks Josephite, and thanks to Infant Jesus of Prague for taking the trouble to post the text. I may have missed the link earlier or it could have been the one that didn't open (I know that one of the links on this thread wouldn't open for me).
That's the link I bet, threw me at first. I was waiting for a webpage to open but adobe opened on the page bottom. So I figured id cut and paste, its worth the read and reflection I thought. Andy3, gets the credit for linking us.
Macs post 442 tells what he will do. I will not follow him into error nor join the enemies of the church but hope for restoration of papal authority and wait for the Truth to prevail. I see nothing wrong in Pope Francis.
Dolorus, In addition to what Andy recommended to you. Maybe read the document in a lexio divina style. Lectio Divina is the classical monastic practice of the prayerful reading of the Bible. The following pages represent a product or sampling of this ancient exercise ... Read until something jumps out at you and stop to ponder. Sometimes its good to quite the mind for a few minutes, invoke the Holy Spirit then read. No matter what spiritual work it is. Hope this helps out
I've been a member here for many moons, and have never seen a thread descend as low as this one, for as long as this one. I think I'll take a stanza of Josephite's prayer to St. Joseph and apply it to the Forum: Foster in it the spirit of charity, Such love as filled it in its origins; As you yourself were, in your earthly pilgrimage. In the Holy Family fostered by you at Nazareth. Amen Safe in the Refuge of the Immaculate Heart!
http://lectio-divina.org/ The phrase lectio divina, difficult to translate adequately, is the Latin for “sacred reading.” We could translate as a reading which is sacred or better, divine. Ordinarily lectio is confined to the slow perusal of sacred Scripture, both the Old and New Testaments. It is undertaken not with the intention of gaining information but of using the texts as an aide to contact the living God. Basic to this practice is a union with God in faith which, in turn, is sustained by further reading. There is no special program or technique to lectio. Even more importantly, one must resist the temptation of covering a given amount of material within a prescribed time frame, a particularly modern temptation. This is more difficult to sustain than first meets the eye, and one will run up against it sooner than anticipated. A person is well advised to linger over a single word or phrase for an indefinite period of time, trusting that it will lead to further texts. Such is one of the most attractive features to lectio divina, for it is open-ended and subject to continuous growth.
What interests me is that the modern day prophets do not mention a bad pope before the chastisement /restoration. Approved prophecy tells us he will come,but do they tell us this? No they dont. In fact they tell us the opposite. Why do they not warn that the Apostasy starts at the top?
As I expect I've said before, I've come to believe that Pope Francis is "playing his role" as directed by God in His Divine Play called "The Storm" ...... and I expect ALL here, believe it or no, have our bit parts too .... parts that may well be important to those we are sent for physical help and spiritual support!? GOD SAVE ALL HERE!!
