THE RESPONSIBILITY OF PARENTS REGARDING THE PURITY OF THEIR CHILDREN

Parents must watch over and foster the purity of their children from a very early age, so that they acquire modesty and integrity, so that they are modest in speech, manners, and dress. It is up to parents to prevent their children from acquiring bad habits in this area, even if the children do not understand the evil of what they are doing, because later they will not be able to free themselves from the addiction.

Beware, parents, beware of children. Let's see what His Holiness says.  Pius XII: “Unfortunately, it sometimes happens that Christian parents, who are so concerned about raising a son or daughter that they are always away from dangerous pleasures and bad company, suddenly see their children, at 18 or 20 years old, victims of miserable and scandalous falls: the good seed they sowed was ruined by weeds.

Who was the enemy of man who did so much evil? What happened, the Pope continues, was that into the home itself, into that little paradise, the tempter, the cunning enemy, crept in and found there the corrupting fruit to offer it to innocent hands. A book accidentally left on the father's desk is what destroyed the son's baptismal faith; a novel abandoned on the sofa or in the bedroom by the mother is what eclipsed the purity of her first communion in the daughter.”

Weeds can enter by leafing through news magazines or newspapers found in the home;  on television, or from a TV news clip the child happened to see. Be vigilant, parents, watch over your children's souls. Keep them away from the internet, tablets, and iPads, where they can really access anything. They already see so much evil outside the home. Let them at least find purity and virtue there, following the example of their parents.

What good is it to gain the whole world if we lose our soul? What is the value of an instant, fleeting gratification that makes us lose heaven, deserve hell, and offends our Lord? Trusting in God, distrusting ourselves, with a very firm determination, let us be chaste and pure according to our state of life. Let us be an example and watch over the purity and salvation of our children's souls. Example, good advice, and care are essential for them to remain pure.

Pius XII noted that the Secret of Fatima warned of apostasy in the Church, but was ignored by his successors

A notable, though indirectly relevant, testimony is that of Cardinal Eugenio Pacelli—before becoming Pope Pius XII—when he was Secretary of State of the Vatican during the reign of Pius XI.

The future Pius XII made an astonishing prophecy about a future upheaval in the Church:

"I am troubled by the messages of the Blessed Virgin to Lucy of Fatima. This persistence of Mary in the face of the dangers that threaten the Church is a warning from Heaven against the suicide of altering the Faith in its liturgy, its theology, and its soul. (...) I hear around me innovators who want to dismantle the sacred Chapel, destroy the universal flame of the Church, reject its ornaments, and make it feel remorse for its historical past."[1]

Pope Pius XII's biographer, Monsignor Roche, noted that at this point in the conversation, Pius XII then said, in response to an objection:

"A day will come when the civilized world will deny its God, when the Church will doubt as Peter doubted. She will be tempted to believe that man has become God. In our churches, Christians will search in vain for the red lamp [of the Tabernacle] where God awaits them. Like Mary Magdalene, weeping before the empty tomb, they will ask: 'Where have they taken him?'"[2]

It is truly astonishing to note that the future Pope linked this seemingly supernatural intuition of the Church's impending devastation specifically to "the messages of the Blessed Virgin to Lucy of Fatima," and to "this persistence of Mary in the face of the dangers that threaten the Church." Such a prediction would be meaningless if it were based on the first two parts of the Great Secret, which do not mention things like "the suicide of altering the Faith in its  liturgy, its theology, and its soul," or "innovators who want to dismantle the sacred Chapel, destroy the universal flame of the Church, reject its ornaments, and make it feel remorse for its historical past." Nor is there any indication in the first two parts that "In our churches, Christians will search in vain for the red lamp where God awaits them."

How did the future Pope Pius XII know these things? It is evident that he was granted a supernatural vision, or else that he had direct knowledge that a part of the "messages of the Blessed Virgin to Lucy of Fatima," which until then had not been revealed, predicted these future events in the Church. In short, all the testimonies about the content of the Third Secret, from 1944 to at least 1984 (the date of the famous Ratzinger interview), confirm that it refers to a catastrophic loss of Faith and discipline in the Church, opening a breach for the forces long aligned against Her: the "innovators" whom  The future Pope Pius XII listened to those around him, calling for the dismantling of the sacred chapel and changes in Catholic liturgy and theology.

As we have seen, this breach began to develop in 1960, the very year in which, as Sister Lucy had insisted, the third part of the Secret was to be revealed.

[1] Roche, Pius XII Before History, pp. 52-53.

[2] Ibid.

MAY, MONTH OF MARY

 

This is the traditional name for this month dedicated to the Blessed Virgin, in which we offer our Heavenly Mother our best spiritual and material "flowers." A very simple method is to greet her with the following prayers:

My most loving Mother, in every moment of my life, remember me, a miserable sinner. Hail Mary

Aqueduct of divine graces, grant me an abundance of tears to mourn my sins. Hail Mary

Queen of heaven and earth, be my refuge and defense in the temptations of my enemies. Hail Mary

Immaculate daughter of Joachim and Anne, obtain for me from your most holy Son the graces I need for my eternal salvation. Hail Mary

Advocate and refuge of sinners, assist me in the trance of my death, and open the gates of Heaven to me. Hail Mary.

WHAT SHOULD A POPE DO, ACCORDING TO SAINT APHONSUS MARIA DE LIGUORI?

When the conclave of 1774 was about to meet, Cardinal Castelli asked Monsignor Alphonsus Maria de Liguori to write a letter on the measures the new Pope should take to reform the Church, which was afflicted by a general laxity. The main passages from Saint Alphonsus's letter are quoted.

"My friend and Lord, regarding the sentiment you desire from me regarding the current affairs of the Church and the election of the Pope, what sentiment do I, a miserable ignorant and of such little spirit, wish to express?

"I only say that prayer is needed, but much prayer; considering that, to rescue the Church from the state of laxity and confusion in which all social classes universally find themselves, not all human science and prudence can remedy it, but the almighty arm of God is necessary."

Among bishops, few have true zeal for souls.

Practically all religious communities are lax; for in religious life, in the current confusion of things, observance is lacking and obedience is lost.

In the secular clergy, the situation is even worse: a general reform is clearly necessary for all ecclesiastics, in order to remedy the great moral corruption that exists among the secularists.

It is necessary, therefore, to ask Jesus Christ to give us a Head of the Church who, more than doctrine and human prudence, is endowed with spirit and zeal for the honor of God, and is totally detached from all human parties and respect. For if ever, to our misfortune, a Pope should arise who does not have before his eyes only the glory of God, the Lord will help him little, and things, as they are in the present circumstances, will go from bad to worse.

Therefore, prayers can remedy many evils, obtaining from God that He lay His hand upon them and grant them a remedy.

[…] I would wish, above all, that the future Pope (since there are many cardinals to be provided) would choose, among those proposed to him, the most learned and zealous for the good of the Church, and would warn the Princes in advance, in the first letter in which he informs them of his exaltation, that, when they ask him for the cardinalate for some of his favorites, they should propose only subjects of proven piety and doctrine; because otherwise he cannot admit them in good conscience.

Furthermore, I would wish that he would be strong enough to deny further benefits to those who are already provided with the goods of the Church, to the extent sufficient for their maintenance, according to their status. And in this he must employ all his strength against any compromises that arise.

Furthermore, I would like luxury among prelates to be avoided, and therefore that the number of servants be determined for all (otherwise nothing would be remedied), according to what corresponds to each class of prelates: a certain number of servants and no more; a certain number of horses and no more; so that heretics can no longer speak.

Furthermore, greater diligence be exercised in conferring benefices only on those who have served the Church, and not on particular individuals.

Furthermore, every diligence should be used in the election of bishops (on whom divine worship and the salvation of souls primarily depend), and information should be obtained from various quarters about their good lives and the doctrine necessary for governing dioceses; and that even those who sit in their churches, metropolitans and others, be secretly asked to inquire about those bishops who care little for the good of their flocks.

I would also like it to be made clear everywhere that bishops who are negligent and deficient in the housing and luxury of the people in their service, or in the excessive expenditure of furniture, banquets, and similar things, will be punished by suspension or by the sending of apostolic vicars to correct their faults; and that they will set an example from time to time, as necessary.

Any example of this kind would cause all other negligent prelates to take care to moderate themselves.

[…] Above all, I wish that the Pope would universally reduce all religious to the observance of their first Institute, at least in the most important matters.

Now, I do not wish to trouble you further. We can do nothing but ask the Lord to give us a Pastor filled with His Spirit, who knows how to establish these things I have so briefly described, according to what best suits the glory of Jesus Christ.

With this, I pay you the most humble reverence, while protesting with all obsequiousness.

For Your Excellency, devoted, humble, and true servant.

Alfonso María, Bishop of Santa Águeda de los Godos.

HOW POOR UNDERSTANDING IS THAT OF THOSE WHO WANT A POPE WHO ADAPTS TO THE WINDS OF THE WORLD. LETTER FROM SAINT TERESA OF AVILA TO A PRIEST, ON THE CONCLAVE

The grace of the Holy Spirit be with you, my son in the Lord:

I read yours with tears, not of sadness, but of love and compassion, because I see how much your heart aches for the Holy Church, and how eager you are to please Her Majesty in this time that seems so dark. And if the See of Saint Peter is empty and the world seems out of control, believe, my son, that the hand of God has not been lost, even though men do not see it.

You ask me what to do in this hour when the boat seems rudderless, and everyone talks and few pray.  For I tell you in truth that the best service you can now render to the Church is to become a living prayer, a wall of supplication, a sentinel of hope.

This is not a time for much talk, but for much suffering. Not for agitation, but for recollection. And if the whole world is shaken and even the good are troubled, what shall we who love Jesus Christ do? Stand firm beside the cross, like the Most Holy Virgin and Saint John, and not move from there.

Pray, my son. Offer the Holy Sacrifice with all your soul, for with each of your Masses Heaven bows to earth. Offer every hour of your day for those who will elect the new Shepherd. And do not ask that it be according to your own taste, but according to the Heart of Christ.

You tell me that many want a Pope who adapts to the winds of the world. Oh, how weak is that understanding!  We must not love the one who pleases, but the one who guides, even if it hurts. The one who teaches, even if he rebukes. The one who is all for God, even if it costs him his blood.

And you, what must you do? Keep the faith, live in charity, do not give in on small things, do not stop praying even for a single day, even if your soul is as dry as a log. For it is in these dry times that true love is tested.

Do not be alarmed if only a few of you persevere. You know that the Lord does not look at numbers, but at faithfulness. And if the whole boat seems about to capsize, be assured that Christ is asleep in the hold, and in due time he will awaken.

Let your prayer be tireless. Let your silence be full of faith. Let your life be so holy that it can sustain many who are faltering.

And do not cease to love the Church, even if you see her wounded.  What a mother she is, and a holy mother, even though her hands are bruised by the sins of her children.

Take courage, my son, and pray.

May you, when the new Peter takes the helm, be vigilant, with your lamp lit.

May Her Majesty guard you and make you all Hers,

Teresa of Jesus, Discalced Nun of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, unworthy daughter of the Church and servant of Your Paternity.

HOW POOR UNDERSTANDING IS THAT OF THOSE WHO WANT A POPE WHO ADAPTS TO THE WINDS OF THE WORLD. LETTER FROM SAINT TERESA OF AVILA TO A PRIEST, ON THE CONCLAVE

The grace of the Holy Spirit be with you, my son in the Lord:

I read yours with tears, not of sadness, but of love and compassion, because I see how much your heart aches for the Holy Church, and how eager you are to please Her Majesty in this time that seems so dark. And if the See of Saint Peter is empty and the world seems out of control, believe, my son, that the hand of God has not been lost, even though men do not see it.

You ask me what to do in this hour when the boat seems rudderless, and everyone talks and few pray.  For I tell you in truth that the best service you can now render to the Church is to become a living prayer, a wall of supplication, a sentinel of hope.

This is not a time for much talk, but for much suffering. Not for agitation, but for recollection. And if the whole world is shaken and even the good are troubled, what shall we who love Jesus Christ do? Stand firm beside the cross, like the Most Holy Virgin and Saint John, and not move from there.

Pray, my son. Offer the Holy Sacrifice with all your soul, for with each of your Masses Heaven bows to earth. Offer every hour of your day for those who will elect the new Shepherd. And do not ask that it be according to your own taste, but according to the Heart of Christ.

You tell me that many want a Pope who adapts to the winds of the world. Oh, how weak is that understanding!  We must not love the one who pleases, but the one who guides, even if it hurts. The one who teaches, even if he rebukes. The one who is all for God, even if it costs him his blood.

And you, what must you do? Keep the faith, live in charity, do not give in on small things, do not stop praying even for a single day, even if your soul is as dry as a log. For it is in these dry times that true love is tested.

Do not be alarmed if only a few of you persevere. You know that the Lord does not look at numbers, but at faithfulness. And if the whole boat seems about to capsize, be assured that Christ is asleep in the hold, and in due time he will awaken.

Let your prayer be tireless. Let your silence be full of faith. Let your life be so holy that it can sustain many who are faltering.

And do not cease to love the Church, even if you see her wounded.  What a mother she is, and a holy mother, even though her hands are bruised by the sins of her children.

Take courage, my son, and pray.

May you, when the new Peter takes the helm, be vigilant, with your lamp lit.

May Her Majesty guard you and make you all Hers,

Teresa of Jesus, Discalced Nun of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, unworthy daughter of the Church and servant of Your Paternity.

Pope Leo XIII dixit

 

Pope Leo XIII – Satis Cognitum (1896)

> "The practice of the Church has always been the same, as is shown by the unanimous teaching of the Fathers, who were wont to hold as outside Catholic communion, and alien to the Church, whoever would recede in the least degree from any point of doctrine proposed by her authoritative magisterium."

> "There can be nothing more dangerous than those heretics who admit nearly the whole cycle of doctrine, and yet by one word, as with a drop of poison, infect the real and simple faith taught by our Lord and handed down by Apostolic tradition."

WHEN I SEE AN OLD PRIEST

"When I see an old priest, shabby in his dress and his speech, distracted like someone whose heart is elsewhere, deaf to the sounds of the earth and attentive to the voices that speak to him in dreams like those of Samuel, I think he's inviting me to sing a Te Deum, because he's a ship that has already weathered the storms of the seven seas.

When I see a young one, embarking on his voyage, impatient to sail the oceans, with too much confidence in the height of his masts, the polish of his hulls, and the grace of his canvas; who looks little to the sky to orient his course and much to the machines that men make, I fear for him.

And even more so if he's an artist; and even more so if he's eloquent; and much more so if he's naive and loves noise, and believes he lacks time and can leave this rubric today, this prayer tomorrow, this meditation later, be late for his Mass; be distracted in his  Breviary.

Oh! How many seas and how many reefs lie before its bow, and how far away the harbor!

Hugo Wast