Fatima: It's a Message for Our Time

Today is the 98th anniversary of the Miracle of Sun, the October apparition of the three little shepherds of Fatima. I just finished reading Fatima from the Beginning, a wonderful companion to Lucia's memoir, written by Fr. John de Marchi. He went to Fatima immediately after the apparitions finished and interviewed the seers. Later on when Lucia had gone into the convent and her two little cousins were long in their graves, he returned to Fatima and interviewed the families and friends of the little seers. Many were eyewitnesses You can read his book, The True Story of Fatima, at the EWTN library. It is truly a work of love and filled with poetry. Here's just a little taste:

THE LADY IN THE LIGHT 

Lucia 

Within the parish of Fatima, which is itself a small and modest place, there is a little hamlet called Aljustrel, and to find a less pretentious part of the world, you would probably need an angel for a guide.

From the Synod Road Show -- Fr. Lombardi: "I don’t have to tell you anything I don't want to."

These comments deserve emphasis:

Another Bad Sign from the Synod: the Hobnailed Boot for Reporter Priest!

Priest has Press Credentials Pulled for Challenging Archbishop

Remember all the talk about openness and transparency? That's what it amounts to --- just talk. Fr. Nicholas Gregoris got the hobnailed boot for daring to defend the faith against an Archbishop who made remarks that undermine doctrine on the indissolubility of marriage. Here's a bit of what LifeSiteNews reported about what happened next:

On October 7, when Father Gregoris returned to the Sala Stampa for the press briefing at 1:00 p.m., he was stopped and told he must hand over his press badge. “They said I’m no longer welcome in the Sala Stampa and I had to leave,” Father Gregoris related.

Fr. Haley's Tribunal: Less Transparent than the Dictatorship of Iran!

Fr. Hugh Monmonier on left and Fr. James Haley on right after
our 25th wedding anniversary Mass at St. Anselms Abbey in 1994.

Reading the front page of the Washington Post today, my husband pointed out an article with this headline, Verdict, but no details, in Iran's trial of Post reporter.  "You should write an article about how the Church's judicial system is like that of a repressive dictatorship," he said. What he was referring to, of course, was Fr. Haley's trial.

Searching for the article on the Post's website, I found another, more in-depth report about the case and it certainly is similar to the disgraceful treatment Fr. Haley! received at the hands of a Church court. Here are some of the similarities in the two cases:

Analyzing the "Worst Case Scenario" from the Synod

If it happens, the people (and clergy) must resist!

Fr. Brian Harrison's analysis at Renew America seems spot on to me! But perhaps you think Fr. Harrison's view is too cynical? Take a look at this article:

Crisis for Pope Francis as top-level cardinals tell him: your synod could lead to the collapse of the church

The pope wasn't joking when he told everybody to "make a mess." and apparently he is the biggest mess-maker of all. Keep praying for the Synod!

Sunday Meditation: Is this a warning from St. John Paul II to the Dissenters at the Synod?

Dissenters, pay close attention to Pope St. John Paul II's message from Veritatis Splendor. I know you don't care about the splendor of truth when it conflicts with your perverse desires, but, guess what --- it applies to you anyway. Get ready for the big challenge about it on Judgment Day! (My comments are in red.)

Today, however, it seems necessary to reflect on the whole of the Church's moral teaching, with the precise goal of recalling certain fundamental truths of Catholic doctrine which, in the present circumstances, risk being distorted or denied. Cardinal Kasper, you have a call from heaven.

Muslims Reject Relief from Red Cross. Why? It's the Cross, Stupid!

They hate the symbol, but judging from the atrocities of ISIS and the growing number of Islamic terrorist attacks even in the U.S., many also hate Christians.

Just think. If you were the wounded Jew on the road to Jericho would you refuse to accept help from the Samaritan? "Get away from me, you Samaritan pig. Jews hate Samaritans.I don't want your water!" If you were in the dessert and dying of thirst, would you refuse to accept a cup of water from a Muslim wearing a crescent?

Why aren't the liberals talking about this kind of intolerance and just plain anti-Christian bigotry?

This is the Pope's Synod, for Good or Bad the Results Belong to Him!

A secret plot to control the Synod? No; it's not secret at all.

Can you help Mercy Chefs feed the emergency workers and devastated families in South Carolina

I love Mercy Chefs! When massive forest fires, floods, tornadoes, or earthquakes strike, they are there on the spot with hot meals and compassionate words. Feed the hungry is the first corporal work of mercy and they are doing that big time. We sent a donation when they responded to a request for help during the massive forest fire in northern California. From there, they turned to the devastating floods in South Carolina. People's lives will be disrupted there for a long time. Can you help?  We will.

Good News from the Synod: Faithful Clergy Speak Out!

Faithful bishops Speak:

Key Synod cardinal sets stage with ringing defense of Church teaching Thank God for those bishops defending the authentic Catholic faith.

Head of Polish Bishops: No Compromise Between Truth and Untruth And no common ground either!

Cardinal Napier Calls Rosica's Bluff Hopefully, many will continue to expose the distortion of the Synod by Fr. Rosica!

Polish prelate posts summaries of Synod talks, in apparent violation of procedures This was standard procedure by the Vatican press office at past synods. It certainly prevents Fr. Rosica and other Vatican press office reps from spinning and distorting the words of the Synod Fathers.