Recently I had a conversation with a priest in which we were discussing the situation with the SSPX. He described them as being "out of the boat." I've been thinking about that metaphor for several days and, really, I don't think it's true.
Let's consider some facts. The captain of the ship does not say these members of the crew have mutinied and tried to throw him overboard or set him adrift. They are on the boat, but their situation is ambiguous, since they have been relieved of duty. As good crewman they continue to work despite their situation. The good of the ship is at stake. Many of the other officers on the ship, in fact, defend them as faithful sailors who want to help navigate the ship through stormy waters. Yes, they disobey some of the captain's orders but how does the Lord Admiral see the situation?
Meanwhile, there are rats on the ship and true mutineers drilling holes all over the ship even below the waterline, so the ship is taking on water and in a perilous state. The captain is well aware of the mutineers' activities, but not only does he not capture those traitors and put them in the brig, he hands them extra tools of destruction to continue turning the ship into Swiss cheese for the rats to gnaw on.
Let's take the metaphor back into real time. Francis, the captain, and his pilot, Vatican Secretary of State Pietro Parolin, have the duty to navigate the ship of the Church toward a safe harbor with the other lieutenants. Are they doing that? Not hardly! They seem, in fact, to revel in heading toward the choppiest waters where there are bodies everywhere in the water calling for help. Instead of engaging in a rescue mission, they send boats out filled with seamen armed with deadly oars (Amoris Laetitia, Traditionis Custodes, etc.) to clobber those floundering in the waves.
Meanwhile, the seamen who are in trouble with the captain for arguing about his failure in duty (SSPX) have manned other lifeboats to try to rescue those in danger of (spiritual) death. Some of their colleagues are trying to patch the holes in the ship from their little boats in the water outside the ship. The captain isn't happy about it since he never gave them that job. He would prefer to drop them off on a deserted island and keep their location secret. (No bulletin notices or social media information with Google maps.)
There are other lowly, faithful seaman in the ship (good and faithful pastors) who are in the unenviable position of disagreeing with the captain's actions, but their officers (the bishops) tell them they must blindly obey his every order and whim even though that's never been a rule in the ship's manual (Doctrine, Sacred Tradition, and. Canon Law). Does the Lord Admiral agree with the captain or will he be courtmartialed when he meets Him?
If you were in a lifeboat in the midst of a violent storm would you rather be with a captain handing out rations or one handing out drills? That's our situation, folks. The Church is in the hands of abusive men. Pray for the captain and his officers, but don't forget to pray for those also who are begging the help of the Lord Admiral to save us while they do their best at bailing out the boat.
In the meantime, study the faith, love the Lord, be respectful to all those in authority even when they abuse it, be charitable to those with whom you disagree, and try to keep your peace of mind and heart. The times are challenging indeed, but we are never alone. And don't forget to lean on your guardian angel and our dear sweet Mother and her spouse St. Joseph, patron of the Universal Church. Despite appearances, we are in good hands.
So pray, hope, and don't worry.
God save the Church!
I agree 100% with your post. Invertedly from the topic of your article, for the last year I had been really troubled by the possibility that all priests and bishops having been ordained in the new rite of Holy Orders were ordained invalidly because of the subtraction of so many elements from the form of the Sacrament that has so long existed to help define by what Graces the Sacrament is meant to confer. In regards to Holy Orders, this is primarily to offer sacrifice, but also to forgive sins.
ReplyDeleteI've had no doubt that SSPX Priests are legit because of canon 209 concerning supplied jurisdiction. Surely the priesthood, traditional rites, and people's access to them have been preserved during such great an apostasy by this canon 209 and the priority of Holy Mother Church for the salvation of souls.
Recently I read Pope Leo XIII's Apostolicae curae, growing again in my concern that like the Anglicans, perhaps the Novus Ordo had cut itself off from Apostolic succession. I read Pope Pius XII's Sacramentum Ordinis to better understand the unchanging essentials of the Sacramental forms. For Holy Orders, from what I can tell, one word, "ut", a word meaning "that" has been removed from the formal rite of Holy Orders that Pius XII infallibly declared could never be changed. Could this small change invalidate the entire Apostolic succession of the Church? Did incompetent men, malicious men, or unbelievers secure such crushing victory on behalf of Satan?
After reading more on the Church's indefectibility, particularly the writings of Michael Davies, I'm convinced that this small change is not substantial enough for the gates of Hell to have prevailed against the Church. The Novus Ordo Priests and Bishops still constitute part of the True Church, and do validly consecrate the Blessed Sacrament. In my estimation, this allows attendance at the Novus Ordo to fulfill the Sunday obligation.
That being said, I will continue to attend the SSPX as much as I am able, and to pray for the Church, especially the Episcopacy, and all those God is calling by the Holy Spirit to receive the Sacraments and put on Christ. Despite all the confusion and apostasy coming from the very top of the Church and those entrusted to watch over Jesus' sheep, the Lamb will prevail.
I thank Our Lady, St. Philomena, and the prayers and sacrifices of Christ's Mystical Body for helping me find peace in the Eucharist.
Thank you for sharing that, Anonymous. I am confident also that our diocesan priests, many of whom are holy and admirable men, are true priests. God does not abandon his people. Just as you and I have grown in our understanding over the years (as all people of good will), God will also bring them into a closer union with truth. He is, after all, THE TRUTH. Every morning I pray the Holy Spirit prayer and beg the Lord to enlighten my mind so that I can know Him, love Him, and serve Him better. Then I kneel with my head in Mary's lap for consolation and rest there. All will be well. "God's in His heaven and all's right with the world" for those who love Him because He works all things together for good.
ReplyDeleteOf course I have a totally different take: what would the world look like if the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass was severely reduced or even eliminated? Back to paganism perhaps?
ReplyDeleteI know you do, Debbie, and I also can tell you are struggling as I am in a world gone crazy. The Church is floundering under helmsmen drunk with power and hubris. But God is the Lord Admiral and He works all things together for good for those of us who love Him and want to serve Him. I hope we never see what the world will look like without the Mass. I take it one day at a time and pray to never lose my faith because of the scandal of so many Judases. I know that's a prayer God will answer because He wants it too.
ReplyDeleteI hope it's safe to assume that neither of us believe in coincidences. The state of the entire planet and the Church after VII is telling to say the least. I don't know any other way to reconcile the global apostasy from the One true faith then SVism. I agree that the SSPX is not in schism, but not for the same reasons as you. Being in schism from the Catholic Church would require that what the world calls the Catholic Church actually be Catholic. One cannot be in schism from the antiChurch. In fact, one should be in schism from that. I don't think one can honestly say the NO Church and it's popes are Catholic. And really the "proof" of this IS the existence of the SSPX with their irregular canonical status. Idk Mary Ann, but for me it's the only position which makes sense and doesn't contradict on the traditional teachings of the papacy. R & R destroys the teachings on the papacy to make V2 popes fit.
ReplyDeleteThanks again for allowing my comments. Many sites won't even entertain the idea, let alone the discussion.
And for what it's worth, I don't believe Judas was ever IN the Church. The Church had not yet been established. The Holy Eucharist and the priesthood of the CC was started on Holy Thursday....but Judas left early so perhaps was not even "ordained". Idk this of course, just putting my thoughts out here.
ReplyDelete"they send boats out filled with seamen armed with deadly oars (Amoris Laetitia, Traditionis Custodes, etc.) to clobber those floundering in the waves." Made me laugh and think of the parable of the faithful and wise steward (which is what I associate w/the SSPX) but I guess the counterpart is also true: Fear not, little flock, for it hath pleased your Father to give you a kingdom. Sell what you possess and give alms. Make to yourselves bags which grow not old, a treasure in heaven which faileth not: where no thief approacheth, nor moth corrupteth. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. Let your loins be girt, and lamps burning in your hands.
ReplyDeleteAnd you yourselves like to men who wait for their lord, when he shall return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open to him immediately. Blessed are those servants, whom the Lord when he cometh, shall find watching. Amen I say to you, that he will gird himself, and make them sit down to meat, and passing will minister unto them. And if he shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants. But this know ye, that if the householder did know at what hour the thief would come, he would surely watch, and would not suffer his house to be broken open. Be you then also ready: for at what hour you think not, the Son of man will come.
And Peter said to him: Lord, dost thou speak this parable to us, or likewise to all? And the Lord said: Who (thinkest thou) is the faithful and wise steward, whom his lord setteth over his family, to give them their measure of wheat in due season? Blessed is that servant, whom when his lord shall come, he shall find so doing. Verily I say to you, he will set him over all that he possesseth. But if that servant shall say in his heart: My lord is long a coming; and shall begin to strike the menservants and maidservants, and to eat and to drink and be drunk:
The lord of that servant will come in the day that he hopeth not, and at the hour that he knoweth not, and shall separate him, and shall appoint him his portion with UNBELIEVERS. And that servant who knew the will of his lord, and prepared not himself, and did not according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. But he that knew not, and did things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. And unto whomsoever much is given, of him much shall be required: and to whom they have committed much, of him they will demand the more. I am come to cast fire on the earth; and what will I, but that it be kindled?" Luke 12 (32-49)
I place unfaithful stewards w/hypocritical unbelievers. To me if they can recite the creed, why not the oath against modernism? Modernism was just a continuation of the protestant 'reformation'(faithlessness) -- from 'sola scriptura' to destroying belief in scripture thru historical criticism/denying miracles (the supernatural, i.e. that Jesus Christ is God and the messiah). Many people have mugs saying that modernism is the synthesis of all heresies and don't even know that by praying (?) "God save the Church" they deny: "Thirdly, I believe with equally firm faith that the Church, the guardian and teacher of the revealed word, was personally instituted by the real and historical Christ when he lived among us, and that the Church was built upon Peter, the prince of the apostolic hierarchy, and his successors for the duration of time... Finally, I declare that I am completely opposed to the error of the modernists who hold that there is nothing divine in sacred tradition; or what is far worse, say that there is, but in a pantheistic sense, with the result that there would remain nothing but this plain simple fact-one to be put on a par with the ordinary facts of history-the fact, namely, that a group of men by their own labor, skill, and talent have continued through subsequent ages a school begun by Christ and his apostles. I firmly hold, then, and shall hold to my dying breath the belief of the Fathers in the charism of truth, which certainly is, was, and always will be in the succession of the episcopacy from the apostles. The purpose of this is, then, not that dogma may be tailored according to what seems better and more suited to the culture of each age; rather, that the absolute and immutable truth preached by the apostles from the beginning may never be believed to be different, may never be understood in any other way."
ReplyDeletehttps://www.papalencyclicals.net/pius10/p10moath.htm
by praying "God save the church" rather than Oh Lord come to my assistance, oh lord make haste to help me; grant me true contrition for my sins and gift to mortify my flesh - working out our salvation w/fear and trembling logical progression of attending all celebration of life funerals, N.O. propaganda we are all saved, hell is empty, discounting of confession and sin. I attend SSPV St Hilary's Baltimore since 2011 and I have learned if I don't pray for gift of final perseverance it will not be granted to me. Many here seem to assume they have not been touched by the poison of the N.O. and that they will be saved (?)
In case you were unaware, I wanted to let you know that there is another TLM besides SSPX in Arlington on Leesburg Pike by Wolf Trap. Fr. Ringrose was conditionally re-ordained by +L in 1982 and began TLM in Vienna, Virginia that year.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.nytimes.com/1985/01/06/us/poll-finds-latin-mass-favored.html
Bio of Ringrose
https://www.latinmassmaritimes.org/the-ringrose-affair-2
"Father B. did not betray you by letting me know that you were wondering why I am working with Father Ringrose, who is indeed a sedevacantist, when I refuse to collaborate with you. Two weights, two measures ? I have known Father Ringrose and worked with him for over thirty loyal years, culminating in his incredible assistance in the consecration of Bishop Zendejas. He has been a rock, and his parish of St. Athanasius has been a safe haven for Catholics, to help them keep the faith, near the Washington D.C. Serpent's Nest for all these years. It is only in the last few years that it has almost fallen off its hinges because of Pope Francis. His sedevacantism is neither deeply rooted, ideological, nor disguised, and it is kept under control by the presence in his parish of Father Ortiz, who is explicitly sedeplenist [Ortiz may be gone now]. Alas, before you have a thirty year record behind you to equal Father Ringrose's, I will eat the dandelions by the root. All my blessings for your next thirty years.” Ego sum pastor bonus… I am the good shepherd…" +Wmson
https://www.latinmassmaritimes.org/the-ringrose-affair-3
https://www.arlingtondiocese.org/press-releases/2017/statement-from-most-reverend-michael-f--burbidge-on-the-consecration-of-father-gerardo-zendejas,-member-of-an-independent-church/
https://www.latinmassmaritimes.org/the-ringrose-affair-1
http://www.archbishoplefebvre.com/fr-ringrose.html
St Athanasius is by Wolf Trap - Leesburg Pike. Sunday Masses are at 7/9/11AM. Holy Days 6A/9A/12N. Weekday masses 6:30 a.m. (Sat 7:30 a.m.) - call to confirm. Confession: Saturday 10-11AM and 4-5PM.
https://st-athanasius-roman-catholic-church-va.hub.biz/
I've been aware of Fr. Ringrose for years and know some people who went to his church. I'm confused by your quote about"Fr. B." not betraying you. As a matter of fact, these two latest quotes are baffling. If they were both written by the same Anonymous or, even if they weren't, a little clarification is in order. Can you summarize your point in a few sentences. As my mom used to say, what you've written is "as clear as mud."
ReplyDeleteOne thing we can all agree on I think. All aspects of the Church are certainly in a mess.
ReplyDeleteI have been around the block, literally, started with an independent priest back in the early 80s who was a diocesan priest who left to read the traditional mass and dispense the traditional decrements. Old Father Quinn once said its our job to keep the pilot light of the true Catholic faith burning. Then to the SSPX here in Chicago, 5 great years where I literally relearned my faith. Father Scott is one of the best, then to the Institute of Christ king in Rockford for 20 years and then some dabbling with the diocesan approved masses in the Joliet diocese. That only lasted about 2 years. Problem with those priests, all of which I think loved the Latin mass but the imprinting of Vatican II, do your own thing, is still there. One Priest loved to sing the our father during the low mass. OK..............so back to the long 60 mile drive to Rockford and the ICKSP.
One thing about the institute their rubrics are impeccable. The bad thing, they do not own most churches. With the exception of Milwaukee and Chicago the diocese owns them. St. Marys in Rockford is owned by Bishop Malloy and his merry band of modernists. Father Lovell who founded cancelled priests was one of his victims. Yet our Canon heaps praise on Malloy, oh he is pro life, oh he can read a Latin mass. Big deal, he also knows how to wheel a chiv in your back. I am convinced its just a matter of time before all the institutes locations are disbanded by papal order. This is the price you pay when you get in bed with the devil. I swear the way the institute carries on its like they are suffering from the Stockholm syndrome.
Back to the SSPX. I am a huge follower of Fr. David Hewko, in fact one of my clients is on his board of directors. He is what was called he resistance but now they refer to themselves as the SSPX traditional as opposed to the SSPX councilliar. The only thing I disagree with Fr. H on is to avoid what he calls the compromised masses, those read by the ecclesia Dei groups. I take that with a grain of salt, on one hand I need them for my weekly nourishment but on the other, as Archbishop Lefebvre has said, you can not compromise with Rome.
By the way a side note here. Remember the monastery the Carmelite nuns of Fairfield Penn. had up for sale? Fr. Hewko's people are currently trying to buy it to establish a traditional oratory. Originally when Father tried to buy it under SSPX Marian corps they outright refused because of Fathers affiliation with the SSPX. His board of directors then sent in a secular group that made an offer on the property which they accepted. Literally the day before the deal was to close the diocese got wind that the property would be resold to Fr. Hewko so the diocese has unleased some very high powered attorneys to stop the deal. Mega bucks from the coffers of the Novus Ordo collection basket. This is what we are up against so lets not fight among ourselves. Please pray that Father gets the property away from the modernist.
At this time the ball is in our court. Trads have to cling to each other for support. Mary Ann's fantastic blog is one place to gather. Let me put in a plug for my own social network, Brother Alberts pub social. Its a social network ONLY for traditional Catholics. We current have about 20 members. A small but dedicated army and some really good Traditional Catholic discussions. tridentinecatholic.com\blog
ReplyDeleteIt is disturbing that you would say 'be respectful to those in authority even if they abuse it.'
That is disturbing cultism.
Jesus was not respectful to the chief priests but condemned them in public.
You statement shows a terrible problem in catholicism
Good point, Anonymous. But Jesus also told people to do what they say, but not imitate their actions. I think it's a fine line between respecting authority and confronting those who abuse that authority. But I had to laugh at your last sentence. "Your statement shows a terrible problem in catholicism." Goodness, I guess I've graduate to the level of Dr. Fauci who says he IS SCIENCE. I am Catholicism? I don't think so. I'm just an old lady, mom and grandma with a keyboard and love for the faith. You notice that Mary never lambasted the pharisees. I imagine she treated everyone with courtesy and prayed for them. I've done that with abortionists for years. Think I'll continue. On the other hand, I won't stop condemning evil.
ReplyDeleteAt a certain point, a wise person on this ship will recognize the need to get off it. And he will also recognize that, surprisingly, the captain also got off back in 2013.
ReplyDeleteThe mistake is that we have equated “the ship” with “the Church.” The ship was useful for the Church for a long time, but it is now in the hands of evil men and actively harms souls. Only fools or ignorant people would remain on the ship. Let us be neither.
I guess that makes me an ignorant fool! LOL! I'd rather stay on the ship and help steer her toward the two columns.
ReplyDeleteI love how all these experts and critics always remain anonymous. If you have something to say, own up to it and put your name on it!
ReplyDelete