Fatherly Concern or Papal Politics?

A reader on Substack sent me a link to an interesting article from Integrity Magazine. 

Analysis suggests Leo’s last-minute ‘heartfelt letter’ to SSPX 

was sent to ensure harshest possible punishment

Sad thought, but in view of the pope's refusal to meet with Fr. Pagliarani or even reply to his letters.... Draw your own conclusions. Does Pope Leo act like a father to a flock he loves with a father's heart? Did Francis?

SSPX Files Appeal of July 2nd Decree

Below is the Society's press release of yesterday announcing their appeal of the July 2nd decree of excommunication and schism. This act indicates several important things. First of all, the Society recognizes the authority of Rome. If they didn't they would just walk away. The appeal of the decree shows a recognition of papal authority. The Society has never rejected the papacy; they reject the novelties and errors being introduced in violation of the Catholic faith. They stand with Eternal Rome!

Guest Post: Tactics to oppose so-called Reproductive Freedom Amendments

By Robert G. Marshall ( bio - articles - email ) | Jul 07, 2026

It is true that “you never get a second chance to make a first impression.” This is good to remember when combatting misleading “Reproductive Freedom Amendments” (RFAs) to state Constitutions. In 2026, these measures will be on the ballot in Virginia and Nevada, and will “enshrine” a deadly mix of soul-compromising social mayhem policies that destroy lives, erase parental rights, and usher in extremely, radical social and legal policies.

Missouri has placed on the November 2026 ballot a reversal of the 2024 approved Reproductive Freedom Amendment which greatly expanded abortion, abolished all parental responsibility and authority, and severely impacted families. On November 3rd, Missouri pro-lifers must vote YES! But in Virginia and Nevada, they must vote NO on RFAs.

Between a Rock and a Hard Place!

Hardness can be subjective. If one has a feather in one hand and an egg in the other which one is harder? Obviously, the egg. On the other hand if one replaces the feather with a stone, which one is harder? If you don't know have an egg/stone fight and see.

Those of us connected to the SSPX these days find ourselves between a rock and a hard place. The rock is the faith taught by Peter and the apostles that has been continuous throughout the centuries. Yes, changes have taken place, but always in accordance with Scripture and Tradition. Divine revelation ended with the last apostle. There can be no changes to revealed doctrine and morality. Sins against chastity, like sodomy, can't be evil yesterday and legitimate signs of love as declared by some bishops in good standing today. Any so-called shepherd who proclaims it is a hireling at best or a ravening wolf in shepherd's clothing.

Sunday Meditation: Discernment, Disagreement, Conscience, and the Fullness of the Truth

I follow a gentleman on Substack, D. B. Doherty, whose views on the SSPX situation conflict strongly with my own. I think it's an intelligent practice to study both sides of an issue to help discern where the fullness of the truth lies. That's what I've been doing ever since COVID sent us to the SSPX in recognition and appreciation of their zeal for souls. Up to now, I've found the arguments for the SSPX more convincing than those against them. So I continue, in good conscience, to attend the chapel. But I also continue to examine the arguments presented by those who disagree who I see as people of good will. I ignore the others. Let them rage.

Doherty, describes himself as an "armchair theologian." He warns that all of us who continue to connect ourselves to the Society are in serious spiritual danger. Recently, he posted this article:

How to Defend the SSPX and Accidentally Risk Your Soul

The Grace of Simple Pleasures that Make You Smile

What makes you happy? What makes you smile? What simple pleasures fill you with joy? 

I think I never grew up. One of my favorite possessions is my doll collection. In the morning when I say my prayers, read, and meditate I sit opposite the cabinet filled with (some) of my dolls. I think of them as the congregation of the Church Militant. Lots of nationalities are represented and two nuns, one a teaching nun and the other a missionary. 

I'm not so attached, however, that I can't give one away. I recently shared one with a little first communicant I was talking to after Mass. I also gave away a lovely Irish doll that had a music box inside. You see I smile over my dolls, but I love to have them bring smiles to other little girls. 

Is the Crisis in the Church Real?

I

I've been disappointed in Cardinal Sarah's statements criticizing the consecraton of the bishops without a papal mandate. It's not the first time in Church history that a bishop disobeyed the pope. In fact, Pope John Paul II, when he was bishop of Krakow, under the policy of Ostpolitik, was  forbidden to ordain priests. He disobeyed Pope Paul VI's order that no above ground or underground ordinations should take place. He disobeyed and suffered no consequences and, in fact, became pope. 

The Honey Harvest Brings Thoughts of God's Goodness: Taste and See

Life is more than a continuous argument (in the Socratic sense) about the faith, with all the scandals and errors infecting the poor Bride of Christ. Not that the faith should't imbue everything we do, but some things testify to the simple art of living in joy. You get up in the morning, say your morning prayers, offer the entire day to God, and think of Him frequently during the day blessing Him for everything. It's a good practice to spiritualize all the events of the day, especially the simple things. 

When my children were growing up, I prayed for my husband and each child as I folded their laundry. That kept me thinking about them and presenting them to God as I completed a necessary and sometimes tiresome chore. The same with cooking meals. I think about who will eat this food that God has so generously provided. "Bless us, O Lord and these Thy gifts."

"They have the buildings, but we have the faith."

Neo-Arians take note!

Letter of Saint Athanasius to His Flock (4th Century A.D.)

"May God console you! ... What saddens you ... is the fact that others have occupied the churches by violence, while during this time you are on the outside. It is a fact that they have the premises --- but you have the Apostolic Faith. They can occupy our churches, but they are outside the true Faith. You remain outside the places of worship, but the Faith dwells within you. Let us consider: what is more important, the place or the Faith? The true Faith, obviously. Who has lost and who has won in the struggle --- the one who keeps the premises or the one who keeps the Faith?

Who Will Ordain the Priests? Anyone?

Today is, in the old calendar, the feast of Cyril and Methodius, slavic brothers who became bishops. As missionaries they were sent to catechize the slavs in the east since they spoke their language. As I was reading their story in Butler's Lives this morning I came across this:

In 863 the two brothers set out with a number of assistants and came to the court of Rostislav (Prince of Moravia); they were well received and at once got to work....The Byzantine missionaries, armed with their pericopes from the Scriptures and liturgical hymns in Slavonic, pursued their way with much success, but were soon handicapped by their lack of a bishop to ordain more priests. The German prelate, the bishop of Passau, would not do it and Cyril therefore determined to seek help elsewhere.