"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?

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. 

If You've Never Watched The Catholics, Now is the Time!

In 1972 Brian Moore wrote a short novel titled Catholics about a remote abbey on an island off the coast of Ireland. [online here] It's the year 2000 and the monks continue to offer the Latin Mass after Vatican II and even after Vatican IV. The Protestants have long been acclimated to the new Church and the new faith. The move now is to incorporate the Buddhists and a conference is scheduled in which the head of the order is participating. 

The monks have become an embarrassment and stumbling block to the new church. Ever since a television crew televised the Mass thousands of Catholics from all over the world flock to the liturgy offered on the mainland. The crisis comes when the head of the order in Rome sends a young priest to examine the abbey and order the monks to immediately adopt the new mass. There are no more private confessions. No one is required to believe that the bread and wine really become the Body and Blood of Christ at the consecration. No clergy are allowed to resist. They are ordered to conform.

Of Clerics in Black and Small, Black Hive Beetles

My husband and I are beekeepers. During the Spring we check the hives regularly to try to prevent swarming and keep pests under control. On our last inspection we noticed a significant small beetle infestation in the hives. These creepy little black bugs eat the honey, lay their larvae in the cells and can become so great a nuisance that the bees give up altogether and abscond abandoning the hive to the invaders. When we see them, we need to take action. I've ordered traps that I'll fill with a solution of apple cider vinegar, water, sugar, and soap. Hopefully they will be attracted to the scent. They supposedly like fermented things. The scent attracts them and they fall into the traps and drown. Good-bye beetle problem. At least that's the hope.

"The Heresy of Modernism Turns Minds into Oatmeal." Padre Peregrino Explains it all for You.

It's a sad reality today that many in both secular and religious society are "weaponizing language." We see it in the Democrats who call anyone supporting particular policies of Donald Trump Nazis, homophobes, misogynists, gestapo, etc., etc. But in the Church this weaponized language is used primarily against only one group -- those who support Sacred Tradition and embrace the Traditional Latin Mass and the traditional sacraments and rites of Holy Mother Church. We are rigid, schismatic, insane, trapped in the past, etc. You know the drill. And while the pope will meet with material heretics, pagans, pro-aborts, clowns, etc., those who defend Sacred Tradition are treated like lepers. Give us bells to ring to warn all the contracepting, aborting Catholics they need to run for the hills to prevent contamination.

But here's the secret. All these charges are bogus.

The Games Have Begun! How Long Can the Vatican Stall the Consecrations with their Fake Dialogue?

BREAKING: Cdl. Fernandez urges SSPX to drop plan to consecrate bishops

OR ELSE!

When I use the term liberalism and liberal, this is what I mean.

Since I often discuss liberalism which undergirds the nature of liberals, I think it might be helpful to define terms and explain exactly what liberalism is. Socrates often began his dialogues by defining terms. How can people have an intelligent discussion if they aren't using words in the same way? They can end up arguing with Humpty Dumpty who says, "When I use a word, it means just what I choose it to mean- neither more nor less." Unfortunately, many liberals follow Humpty Dumpty's rules of engagement which is a ticket to the Tower of Babel. To use a silly example, suppose an alien landed in Washington, D.C. and someone told him that the first Catholic president, JFK, was born with a silver spoon in his mouth. Imagine the confusion going forward. But that's often true when people use language in contrary ways. 

The Heresy of Americanism and the Serious Sin of Abandoning the Great Commission

The Exhortation to the Apostles -- James Tissot (1836-1902)

This was the lead article from the Spring issue of the Les Femmes newsletter. Vol 21 #1  2016. I'm republishing it here because so many people have been sucked in by the heresy of Americanism and the rather arrogant belief in American Exceptionalism. Both of these beliefs have as their foundation the false beliefs of the French Revolution. And many Catholic prelates including Cardinal Gibbons of Baltimore Catechism fame, who promoted Elizabeth Seton's educational efforts, got caught up in the enthusiasm and desire to be politically accepted. The desire for human respect is a trap that catches many. July 4th seems a good day to reprint it.

Heresy, the American Experiment, and the Great Commission of Christ

"The Conclave is Coming, The Conclave is Coming!"

We are on the cusp of a new day of faith or a new day of disaster. Will the successors of the St. Gallen Mafia succeed in placing a clone of Francis in Peter's chair? Or will we see a true shepherd with zeal for the faith and for the salvation of the flock be chosen? 

There is something providential about the week of the conclave beginning with the feast of St. Pope Pius V, one of the greatest reformer popes in the history of the Church. Catholic Online describes his papacy, both the accomplishments and mistakes:

On the Feast Day of Pope St. Pius X: Challenging Times are Nothing New!

In the old calendar, today is the feast of Pope St. Pius X (pope from 1903-1914). In honor of his feast day, I am reading selections from My Words Will Not Pass Away: doctrinal writings of St. Pius X. I am personally grateful to this pope for encouraging the frequent, even daily, reception of Holy Communion and reducing the age for reception to the age of reason around seven years old. [This is what the Church means when it talks about "development of doctrine". It doesn't mean playing fast and loose with the perennial teachings of Holy Mother Church.] We have a lot to learn from this great saint!

Of Groundhogs and False Shepherds

 "Judas went out immediately, and it was night." John 13:30

Every year I plant a small garden. (Underline the small." This year, as usual, I planted six 
tomato plants a handful of summer and spaghetti squash, three assorted pepper plants and a few herbs in containers. Things were going fairly well and I harvested a few squash and am just beginning to get some fresh tomatoes.

But the groundhog found the garden and he has devastated my squash plants gradually eating the leaves until my formerly lush plants are almost unrecognizable. He does all his munching and crunching in the dark when we are asleep.

Judas did his dirty work in the dark as well. So do the false shepherds hiding in their dicasteries at the Vatican plotting the next document or synod to attack the faith. 

This is nothing new!

More on Dignitas Infinita: Is It the Prelude to the Denial of Hell?

At yesterday’s press conference on “Dignitas Infinita”, I asked DDF Prefect Cardinal Fernández: “If man has infinite dignity, how can he be condemned to the eternal suffering of Hell? And why are original sin and its effects never mentioned in the document?” His response below: pic.twitter.com/6odajldIq7

— Diane Montagna (@dianemontagna) April 9, 2024

(To see the statement enlarged click on it and it will open in a new window. Then click on the text.) 

Years ago on a Cursillo weekend, I spent several hours in the stairwell late at night discussing hell with a young woman who didn't believe there was a hell or, if there was, that no one went there. At the end of the evening, she had changed her mind.

It Was a Dark and Stormy Night

Happy Happy Church! 
(Trains in the Sky)

Sir Edward Bulwer-Lytton was a British author made famous in the modern era from the Peanuts cartoon character, Snoopy, and his eternal quest to write a book beginning with Bulwer-Lytton’s classic opening, “It was a dark and stormy night.” 

"The sardonic Bulwer-Lytton Fiction Contest, held annually since 1982, claims to seek the opening sentence of the worst of all possible novels - that is, one which is deliberately bad."

Below are a few bad first sentences from books in the religion category.

PAPAL AUDIENCE SERIES: "Planes and Trains and Acrobats" - Riding his magic carpet made of steel across the Vatican sky over St Peter's (because he no longer trusted Boeing 747's Shepherd One) the pope, in his best Arlo Guthrie impersonation, sang, "Good morning, TLM Catholics, how are ya?" then in a sinister voice said, "Have you not heard the news that before the day is done, one more feckless rigid doctrine will have faded like a bad dream into the disappearing Catholic Church?" but suddenly his train fell from the sky crashing into Santa Marta where the numerous scantily-clad Vatican acrobats were housed.

The Shifting Sands of Modernism

It is enlightening to contrast the weak and false justifications of Modernism presented by its supporters, against the strong and solid foundation on which the teaching of the Catholic Church is based.

Consider the slippery and sliding foundations and constantly shifting justifications given to support the Modernist edifice, as follows:

Part 7: Modernism and the Synod on Synodality - The Beat Goes On! And It's Not Sacred Polyphony!

The Synod on Synodality's General Meeting in October is shaping up to be the equivalent of hard metal rock! You won't hear Gregorian Chant or Sacred Polyphany coming out of the latest blather confab. What you will hear is plenty of modernist jargon about "walking together" and "co-responsibility" with laity (especially women). You'll hear about climate change, ecumenism, dialogue, and inculturation. You'll learn about "discernment, in the wealth of meanings that this term takes on within the different spiritual traditions." You'll hear about "having conversations in the Spirit." What  you won't hear about is the salvation of souls, the obligation to preach the gospel in season and out, the spiritual work of mercy to "admonish the sinner," or any talk of salvation and the real problems facing the Church. If Jesus is mentioned even once, I have yet to find him buried in the blather.

Part 6: The Modernist Synodalistas are Back. Some Things Never Change!

Modernists work the problem of "updating" the Church to conform to the world with predictable strategies. They aren't particularly creative; they just repeat the same thing over and over. Sad to say, these repetitive attacks seem to do the trick more often than not -- at least in the short term. The secular world uses them as well. Perhaps that's why they succeed so often. They appeal to the worldly. "Hey! Give them another crisis and we'll scare them into submission!" The message from the Modernists is a little different. "Give them another excuse for their favorite sins and we'll have them by the nose!"

Part V: A Pinch of Incense to Modernism -- How Accepting Ecclesia Dei, etc. Poisoned Principles

See all the previous posts in this series on Ecclesia Dei and its aftermath on our Modernism page.

I started out this series bringing up principles. If someone calls you a person of principle, what do they mean? The American Heritage Dictionary defines principle as: 

• A basic truth, law, or assumption.
• A rule or standard, especially of good behavior.
• The collectivity of moral or ethical standards or judgments.

Part IV: Does the FSSP's Former Superior General, Fr. Josef Bisig, Practice Classic Indoctrination?

St. John the Baptist in Front Royal where the Traditional Mass may no longer be prayed in 
the parish church that those who embrace tradition helped pay for. Talk about injustice!

Fr. Josef Bisig recently was invited to speak in Front Royal at St. John the Baptist in response to the SSPX opening a chapel in nearby Linden. The conflict between the local parish and the chapel has, sadly, been acrimonious at times and unkind. I had friends who refused to sit at my table because I attend the chapel, which frankly I thought was strange. I have no doubt they will break bread with Protestants, but a fellow Catholic is an unwashed and unwanted "schismatic" and former friend. I still grieve the loss of their friendship and miss them at my occasional rosary luncheons with friends when we gather for fellowship and prayer. I console myself by uniting myself to Jesus who also lost friends.

Part 3: From Ecclesia Dei, the Modernist Nose in the Sanctuary, to Traditionis Custodes, the Modernists Running the Show!

Our Lady of the Angels in Los Angeles offers a hymn in stone to Modernism. What has Modernism given us? Ugly churches, ugly liturgies, ugly music, showmen priests, laity overflowing the sanctuary, and declining faith. Don't just weep. Rebel!

For earlier posts in this series on Modernism and the Traditional Latin Mass see:

Prelude: Is there a crisis in the Church?

Part 1 -- Ecclesia Dei and the Abandonment of Principles! Part I: A Little History

Part 2 -- Ecclesia Dei Part 2: The Motu Proprio is Infected with Modernism

Let's move on to examine Pope Benedict's efforts to improve the situation and restore the Traditional Latin Mass (TLM) which he said was "never abrogated," although there were certainly massive efforts by Modernist bishops and priests to completely suppress it.

Recall that the 1988 motu proprio Ecclesia Dei Adflicta (EDA) of John Paul II did, in fact, promote modernism in subtle and not so subtle ways as I discussed in the previous posts. Benedict, with the motu proprio, Summorum Pontificum (SP), of 2007, offered hope for a serious correction and a move toward bringing the Traditional Latin Mass once again into the heart of the Church. Although the apostolic letter acknowledge the importance of the TLM and its role in saint-making, it failed to suppress modernist elements. Here's a bit from SP that praised the TLM:

Ecclesia Dei Part 2: The Motu Proprio is Infected with Modernism

Archbishop Lefebvre, warrior against Modernism! He preserved the traditional Latin Mass.

Let's continue examining Modernism in light of Ecclesia Dei Adflicta (EDA), the document that established the Ecclesia Dei Commission in 1988. EDA allowed the Traditional Latin Mass (TLM) communities to form beginning with the 15 priests who left the SSPX to establish the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter (FSSP). Read part 1 for a little history about the conflict with Archbishop Lefebvre resulting in EDA which was obviously meant to destroy the SSPX using the archbishop's own priests as the weapon of Mass destruction. All of the other EDA congregations came later. Archbishop Lefebvre is the father of all the TLM communities that exist today. They were all born as a result of the SSPX and Lefebvre's fidelity to passing on what he had received. Without Marcel Lefebvre, the TLM would be a dead memory for the history books.