Challenge for the Fourth of July: Read the Declaration and the Constitution

I'm giving you easy access to the Declaration. And here's a link to the Constitution. Know what you celebrate! It's not about the burgers, soda, and ice cream treats! Have a blessed 4th and thank God for this amazing country. Keep her strong and good. Pray the rosary daily!

In Congress, July 4, 1776

The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America, When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

When, O Lord, Will Our Weeping Turn to Joy?

Well, not only did they do it, but they are doubling down with a sledgehammer. The Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith has released another document describing how the priests and lay faithful can reconcile with the Church now that we're excommunicated. [See document] 

I hate to say it, but I'm beginning to find the entire thing ridiculous and it smacks of Kabuki Theater or perhaps a story from Mad Magazine. Sad, yes, incredibly sad, but ridiculous as well. 

Cardinal Fernandez has stated publicly in his writings that no one goes to hell. And then he threatens with hell fire anyone who remains with the SSPX. So you can be an active sodomite, perform abortions with impunity and still be praised at the Vatican, enjoy an adulterous union, etc. Does anyone in the magisterium even mention contraception these days? But if you belong to the SSPX you are destined for hell. Don't pass go; don't collect $200.

Wow! I'm Excommunicated By My Papa...or Am I?

This photo says it all. My mom always said, "Birds of a feather flock together." So here we have the scandalous porn-writing head of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith sharing an intimate moment with the pope, il papa, my daddy in the spiritual life. I'm heartbroken and shaking my head after reading the explanatory note from Fernandez. [Published at the end.]

Are We Rebels? NO! NO! NO!

I've been reading the headlines from the mainstream media about the SSPX consecrations of bishops in Econe yesterday. Over and over, they call us rebels and use words like "defy", "in defiance", "schism", "schismatic", etc. Here are some of the headlines:

New York Times: Rebel Catholic Group Consecrates 4 Bishops Risking Break with the Vatican

MSN: Pope Leo Faces First Major Crisis as Catholic Rebels Defy Him

Watching the Consecration of the New Bishops for the SSPX

Thanks to LifeSiteNews for this. You can send them a donation here. You can read my comments at my substack account. 

ÊCONE, Switzerland (LifeSiteNews) — The Society of Saint Pius X (SSPX) is celebrating the consecrations of four new bishops today, July 1.

It's Going to Be a Hot Week; Good Time to Think about Hell

The weather report for the next week is grim: in the 90s every day but feeling over 100. Fourth of July is expected to be a scorcher here in northwestern Virginia especially if the humidity is high. Thank God for it. Miserably hot weather invites us to reflect on the reality of hell. Despite the statement of Cardinal Fernandez that everyone will be saved, they won't. And no, Bishop Barron, we cannot have a reasonable belief that all will be saved. Why would God die on the cross for the salvation of souls if, in the end, He's the Candyman who welcomes everyone at the Pearly Gates with chocolate bars regardless of the way they lived. He didn't ignore the rebellion of the angels; why would He ignore ours? 

Another Monday: But Not an Ordinary One

No indeed. This is no ordinary Monday. It begins the week leading up to the SSPX consecration of bishops on Wednesday, July first. In 1988 Archbishop Lefebvre consecrated four bishops calling the event Operation Survival. The traditional Mass and sacraments likely would have disappeared without his actions. One could call the Wednesday consecrations Operation Survival Redux. It's a sad thing that the Vatican let it come to this, but the pope and Cardinal Fernandez have shown their willingness to allow and even enable dissent and heresy while they punish orthodoxy. 

I began my day with morning prayer and reading from the Credo Catechism by Bishop Athanasius Schneider. I'm in the section on faith, a providential place to be this week. 

The Powerful Witness of Persecution

I was talking to a friend last Friday after our holy hour for priests and she made a brilliant point about what's happening these days in the modern, post Vatican II Church. Here's the question. In the history of the Church over the millennia, who were persecuted and martyred? Who were executed in the Roman Coliseum and covered with pitch and set on fire to light Nero's garden? The Pharisees? The Sadducees?

No indeed! It was those who were faithful to Christ and His Church -- completely faithful! You know, the believers who refused to the point of death to offer a pinch of incense to the false gods.

Traditio Part III -- Giving One's Life

Part I - What is a Priest?

Part II -- Catholic Missionaries Across the World

Part III -- Giving One's Life 

 

Want Your Children to Be Geniuses? Take the Challenge!

I recently read an important article that I recommend to every parent who reads my blog. 

Charlotte Mason and John Senior Agree: Great Books Are Not Enough