Volume II / Issue 17 / September 2017

From the Editorial Desk: 

My editorial is going to be a bit different this month. I have been asked to post a article that helps people to understand what a Church member should be working toward. So Here is one that His Holiness wrote:

Seven Qualities Members Of The Church Should Be Striving For:

Humility

Few Catholics understand the virtue of humility. Even worse yet, they do not
understand how to obtain this virtue. Instead, the majority of souls are lost through the
negligence of acquiring this virtue. It states in Sacred Scripture that God gives grace to
those that are humble. If you are not humble:

1) your heart will be hardened

2) you cannot properly judge spiritual matters

3) you cannot be in the state of grace if you do not have
humility

4) you are a dead member in the Body of Christ.

The Pharisees were rebuked because they observe the letter of the law and not the
spirit. Prideful souls wish only to see the external attractions. They wish to obtain only
the external appearances of piety.

“I fast twice in a week: I give tithes of all that I possess.” (Luke 18:12)

While humility, wishes to be completely unseen and hidden. This is depicted well with the Publican.

“And the publican, standing afar off, would not so much as lift up his eyes towards heaven; but struck his breast, saying: O God, be merciful
to me a sinner.” (Luke 18:13)

Our happiness in Heaven is solely based upon one virtue: humility. The more we
abase ourselves the more we are able to unite to God closer. The more we realize our
misery the more God will fill us with His perfections. We can make more analogies that
could be written in volumes of books.

The hardest person to correct is one who has a contracted habit. A contracted
habitual act is the most deadly enemy. Sin never wishes to be discovered. Sin never
wishes to be exposed. Sin never wants its roots to be pulled out of the ground. Sin wants
to stay were it is comfortable, convenient, and relaxing. Sin wishes to always correct
others while never correcting itself.

It is here where we must begin. We must begin with ourselves. The old saying
states, charity starts at home. The house of virtue must have humility as its foundation.
St. Teresa of Avila writes that humility and charity, as virtues, are inseparable. If we
boast that we have charity to our neighbor, but lack the virtue of humility, what profit
does our soul obtain? We are nothing but liars. We begin by looking at ourselves by
saying. “I am the problem. I am the problem. I am the problem.” And we must say it with
the deepest conviction. We must always assume responsibility for all failures. We must
accuse ourselves first before others that we failed God. If a physical catastrophe would
erupt, for example an earthquake, St. Gemma Galgani used to blame herself as the sole
cause of God's anger. This is charity. Charity hides the faults of others. The Blessed
Virgin Mary hides our sinfulness under her cloak of innocence. It is as if all the blame
should put on our dearest mother's heart. And is that just? Should Blessed Virgin Mary
be blamed for our sins?

6 Steps toward humility

I must realize that I have a problem.
I must admit that I have a problem.
I must truly want to change.
I will not give myself any excuses.
I will constantly (hourly) renew my efforts/resolutions.
I must say to myself, “I am prideful, impure, wicked” on a daily basis.

In his life of Saint Benedict:

THE first degree of humility is obedience without delay. This beseemeth those
who, either on account of the holy servitude they have professed, through fear of hell or
for the glory of life everlasting, count nothing more dear to them than Christ. These,
presently, as soon as anything is commanded them by the Superior, make o delay in
doing it, just as if the command had come from God. Of such, our Lord saith: “At the
hearing of the ear he hath obeyed me.”

And to teachers He saith:“He that heareth you, heareth me.” Therefore, such as these, leaving
immediately everything, and forsaking their own will, leave unfinished what they were
about, and with the speedy foot of obedience follow by deeds the voice of him who
commands. And thus, as it were in one and the same moment the command of the master
and the perfect work of the disciple in the speed of the fear of God, go both jointly
together, and are quickly effected by those who ardently desire to advance in the way of
eternal life. These take the narrow way, of which the Lord saith: “Narrow is the way
which leadeth to life.” They live not according to their own will, nor follow their own
desires and pleasures, but, abiding in monasteries, walk according to the command and
direction of another, and will to have an Abbot over them. Without doubt these fulfil that
saying of our Lord: “I came not to do my own will, but the will of Him Who sent me.” 

This obedience will then be acceptable to God and pleasing to men, if what is
commanded be not done fearfully, slowly, coldly, or with murmuring, or an answer
showing unwillingness; because the obedience which is given to superiors is given to
God, Who hath said: “He that heareth you, heareth Me.” Hence it ought to be done by
the disciples with a good will, because God “loveth a cheerful giver” If the disciple
obey with ill-will, and murmur, not only in words, but also in heart, although he fulfil
what is commanded him, it will not be acceptable to God, Who considereth the heart of
the murmurer. For such a work he shall not have any reward, but rather incurreth the
penalty of murmurers, unless he amend and make satisfaction.

The second degree of humility is, if anyone, not wedded to his own will, seeks not
to satisfy his desires, but carries out that saying of our Lord: “I came not to do My own
Will, but the Will of Him Who sent Me.” The scripture likewise saith: “Self-will
engendereth punishment, and necessity purchaseth a crown.”

The third degree of humility is, that a man submit himself for the love of God,
with all obedience to his superior, imitating thereby our Lord, of Whom the Apostle saith:
“He was made obedient even unto death.” 

The fourth degree of humility is, that if, in obedience, things that are hard,
contrary, and even unjust be done to him, he embrace them with a quiet conscience, and
in suffering them, grow not weary, nor give over, since the Scripture saith: “He only that
persevereth to the end shall be saved.” 

(Next month I will talk of the 2nd of the 7 qualities that Church Members should be striving for.

Dedication of Saint Michael the Archangel

Let us consider that the Angel is the designation, not of a nature, but of an office. In fact, they are only called Angels, when they are sent as Messengers. We know the names of three Archangels or Special Messengers. Saint Rapphael was sent to Tobias in the Old Testament, and his name means Medicine of God. Saint Gabriel was sent at the Annunciation to the Blessed Virgin Mary and his name means The Strength of God. And Saint Michael's name means Who Is Like God?

There are many churches dedicated to Saint Michael the Archangel. The lessons in the Breviary tells us about Saint Michael's office, rather than the churches dedicated to him. So let us consider Saint Michael's office in the Church.

“And there was a great battle in heaven, Michael and his angels fought with the dragon, and the dragon fought and his angels: And they prevailed not, neither was their place found any more in heaven. And that great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, who seduceth the whole world; and he was cast unto the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him. And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying: Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: because the accuser of our brethren is cast forth, who accused them before our God day and night.” (Apocalypse 12:7-10)

At the beginning of time God also created the Angels. Their leader was Lucifer. Lucifer succumbed to pride and fell from grace. A lowly Archangel rose up and his battle cry was, “Who is like God?” And thus received the name Michael for his battle in defense of God's supremacy.

“And the serpent said to the woman: No, you shall not die the death. For God doth know that in what day soever you shall eat thereof, your eyes shall be opened: and you shall be as Gods, knowing good and evil.” (Genesis 3:4-5) We can see the serpent tempted Eve with Godhood much as he claimed it for himself. And we see this claim made today by what is wrongly called the New Age Movement. This movement says that we are all gods. Let us remember that there is one God and that God's defender is Saint Michael.

Saint Michael has been the guardian angel of both the Synagogue and the Church. “But the prince of the kingdom of the Persians resisted me one and twenty days: and behold Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, and I remained there by the king of the Persians.” (Daniel 10:13)

“And I saw an angel coming down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit, and a great chain in his hand. And he laid hold on the dragon the old serpent, which is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years.” (Apocalypse 20:1-2) We saw in Apocalypse 12 a great battle, which may be the same as this battle, which will come after the death of Antichrist.

“But at that time shall Michael rise up, the great prince, who standeth for the children of thy people: and a time shall come such as never was from the time that nations began even until that time. And at that time shall thy people be saved, every one that shall be found written in the book.” (Daniel 12:1) Saint Michael will come to protect the Church especially at the time of Antichrist, because the Church will be in great danger at that time.

Although few are truly in the Church today, we are living in a time of relative peace. (We believe that many are kept from full communion with the Church, because of the confusion of these times. “For there shall arise false Christs and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders, insomuch as to deceive (if possible) even the elect.” (Matthew 24:24) “For there will rise up false Christs and false prophets, and they shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce (if it were possible) even the elect.” (Mark 13:22) Let us pray to Saint Michael and ask him to protect us in these times.

Prayer to Saint Michael

O glorious Archangel Saint Michael, Prince of the heavenly host, be our defense in the terrible warfare which we carry on against principalities and powers, against the rulers of this world of darkness, spirits of evil. Come to the aid of man, whom God created immortal, made in His own image and likeness, and redeemed at a great price from the tyranny of the devil. Fight this day the battle of our Lord, together with the holy angels, as already thou hast fought the leader of the proud angels, Lucifer, and his apostate host, who were powerless to resist thee, nor was there place for them any longer in heaven. That cruel, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil or Satan who seduces the whole world, was cast into the abyss with his angels. Behold this primeval enemy and slayer of men has taken courage. Transformed into an angel of light, he wanders about with all the multitude of wicked spirits, invading the earth in order to blot out the Name of God and of His Christ, to seize upon, slay, and cast into eternal perdition, souls destined for the crown of eternal glory. That wicked dragon pours out. as a most impure flood, the venom of his malice on men of depraved mind and corrupt heart, the spirit of lying, of impiety, of blasphemy, and the pestilent breath of impurity, and of every vice and iniquity. These most crafty enemies have filled and inebriated with gall and bitterness the Church, the spouse of the Immaculate Lamb, and have laid impious hands on Her most sacred possessions. In the Holy Place itself, where has been set up the See of the most holy Peter and the Chair of Truth for the light of the world, they have raised the throne of their abominable impiety with the iniquitous design that when the Pastor has been struck the sheep may be scattered. Arise then, O invincible Prince, bring help against the attacks of the lost spirits to the people of God, and give them the victory. They venerate thee as their protector and patron; in thee holy Church glories as her defense against the malicious powers of hell; to thee has God entrusted the souls of men to be established in heavenly beatitude. Oh, pray to the God of peace that He may put Satan under our feet, so far conquered that he may no longer be able to hold men in captivity and harm the Church. Offer our prayers in the sight of the Most High, so that they may quickly conciliate the mercies of the Lord; and beating down the dragon, the ancient serpent, who is the devil and Satan, do thou again make him captive in the abyss, that he may no longer seduce the nations. Amen.

V/ Behold the Cross of the Lord; be scattered ye hostile powers.

R/ The Lion of the Tribe of Juda has conquered the root of David.

V/ Let Thy mercies be upon us, O Lord.

R/ As we have hoped in Thee.

V/ O Lord hear my prayer.

R/ And let my cry come unto Thee.

V/ Let us pray. O God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, we call upon Thy holy Name, and as suppliants, we implore Thy clemency, that by the intercession of Mary, ever Virgin, immaculate and our Mother, and of the glorious Archangel Saint Michael, Thou wouldst deign to help us against Satan and all other unclean spirits, who wander about the world for the injury of the human race and the ruin of our souls. R/ Amen.

Commentary

Pope Leo XIII wrote this prayer over a hundred years ago and it is quite appropriate for these times of persecution, when Jesus Christ's prophecy that the elect will be deceived is being fulfilled.

“O glorious Archangel Saint Michael, Prince of the heavenly host, be our defense in the terrible warfare which we carry on against principalities and powers, against the rulers of this world of darkness, spirits of evil.” Saint Paul tells us: “For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood; but against principalities and power, against the rulers of the world of this darkness, against the spirits of wickedness in the high places.” (Ephesians 6:12) Who can help us better in our battle against Lucifer and his followers?

“Behold this primeval enemy and slayer of men has taken courage. Transformed into an angel of light, he wanders about with all the multitude of wicked spirits, invading the earth in order to blot out the Name of God and of His Christ, to seize upon, slay, and cast into eternal perdition, souls destined for the crown of eternal glory.” Saint Paul tells us: “For such false apostles are deceitful workmen, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no wonder: for Satan himself transformeth himself into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers be transformed as the ministers of justice, whose end shall be according to their works.” (II Corinthians 11:13-15) And Jesus says: “Why do you not know my speech? Because you cannot hear my word. You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and he stood not in the truth; because truth is not in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father thereof.” (John 8:43-44) And the Devil will lie to us and masquerade as an Angel of Light.

“These most crafty enemies have filled and inebriated with gall and bitterness the Church, the spouse of the Immaculate Lamb, and have laid impious hands on Her most sacred possessions. In the Holy Place itself, where has been set up the See of the most holy Peter and the Chair of Truth for the light of the world, they have raised the throne of their abominable impiety with the iniquitous design that when the Pastor has been struck the sheep may be scattered.” Did Pope Leo foresee the usurpation of the papacy that has occurred? “Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, and against the man that cleaveth to me, saith the Lord of hosts: strike the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered: and I will turn my hand to the little ones.” (Zacharias 13:7) In the Gospels we find this referring to Jesus Christ: “Then Jesus said to them: All you shall be scandalized in me this night. For it is written: I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be dispersed.” (Matthew 26:31) Jesus is addressing the Apostles, who are the Sheep mentioned herein, for the Sheep are the Bishops, whereas the Lambs are the rest of the faithful. (See Matthew 10:16ff, when Jesus sent out the Apostles and Luke 10:3ff when Jesus sent out the 72 disciples and John 21:15-17, when Jesus appointed Peter as Shepherd to feed both the Lambs and the Sheep) Could this prophecy also apply to the Shepherd, the Vicar of Christ, who was struck when Angelo Roncalli usurped the papacy as the second Antipope John XXIII in history? If so, we seen the Sheep abandoning Jesus as the Apostles did early Good Friday morning. The Bishops abandoned Jesus, when they approved of false doctrine at the council false called the Second Ecumenical Council of the Vatican by Roncalli and later Montini, who as Antipope Paul VI named the new sect the Conciliar Church in the closing speech.

It should be noted that the phrase: “In the Holy Place itself, where has been set up the See of the most holy Peter and the Chair of Truth for the light of the world, they have raised the throne of their abominable impiety with the iniquitous design that when the Pastor has been struck the sheep may be scattered.” Was removed from the Raccolta sometime around the 1940's. This verifies what Saint Paul warned us about: “For the mystery of iniquity already worketh; only that he who now holdeth, do hold, until he be taken out of the way." (II Thessalonians 2:7) Some commentators believe that the withholding force mentioned here is the Pope. If this is true, then the balance of this chapter could be ready to be fulfilled, for the Pope was removed in 1958. Although a Pope was elected in 1990, he has mainly been as the Psalmist says (Psalms 87:5) “a man without help.” Let us pray to Saint Michael, that this will soon end. And let us thank God and Saint Michael for the help that God has already sent. “And when they shall have fallen they shall be relieved with a small help.” (Daniel 11:34)

Saint Michael, pray for us and help us.

The Funny Pharmacy

Proverbs 17:22

A joyful mind maketh age flourishing: a sorrowful spirit drieth up the bones.

 You have stated that there has been no Pope since Pius the XII?

Yes, this is the position I hold. No Pope until my election. 

The Reason why John XXII was not a Pope was because he was a heretic before and after his election?

John XXIII was a public heretic prior to his apparent election by statements and actions he had made in France and Venice. His file in Rome was marked as suspected of Modernism. He also made heretical statements after his apparent election.

 Exaltation of the Holy Cross

The Feast of the "Exultation of the Holy Cross" falls on September 14th.  This feast actually is a very ancient one, for it was observed in Rome back as far as the seventh century.  In essence, these feast commemorates the recovery of the Holy Cross.  The Cross, which had fallen into the possession of the King of the Persians, Chosroas, was recovered and then returned to Jerusalem in the year 629.

If we take ourselves back in time.  Back even further than the seventh century.  If we take ourselves back in time  . . . .  all the way back to the time of Our Lord .   . . . .  if, at least in our minds eye, we can imagine what it would be like to be one of the disciples of Our Blessed Saviour.  We imagine ourselves traveling with Him; eating with Him.  We can imagine our watching Him interacting with the people;  seeing Him speak to great multitudes but also speaking to small crowds.  We can imagine watching Him teach and preach and heal and laugh and cry.  We imagine seeing Him telling people about the Kingdom of God and imploring people to turn from their sins and turn back to God.  We imagine this Man that we have grown to love and admire, He surely must be the greatest teacher ever.  Surely, He must be sent from God, we tell ourselves.  We hear the words which He speaks.  We see the miracles He performs.  We are in awe of this Man of God.

Keep imagining, though, when this same Man  . . . . our wonderful Rabbi . . . . our learned Teacher . . . our Friend . . . . Our Lord . . .  imagine our horror when He was taken into custody by the authorities.  Imagine how you would feel if you then saw Him taken away in bonds and made to carry a cross.  Imagine how grief-stricken you would feel if you saw your Blessed Saviour hanging on that same Cross on the hill at Calvary . . . .hanging between two petty criminals.   Needless to say, I am sure that there was much confusion on that hill at Calvary that dreadful day.  I am sure that emotions from every corner would come crashing together all at once:  sadness . . .  fear . . . . anger .. . . torment . . .  confusion.   I am quite sure that the sight of that Wonderful Rabbi . . .  that Man of God . . . . our Teacher . . .  our Friend . . . . the image of Him hanging there on that Cross was most certainly seen as defeat by almost everyone present that day.  Who can blame them?  The same Blessed Saviour Who had come into Jerusalem amid cries of exultation . . . cries of Hosanna!   . . . . Who was acclaimed by all as He entered the city.  The tables had now turned, you tell yourself, and Our Blessed Saviour had been utterly defeated.  Or so our eyes tell us.

It is hard for us to imagine what it was like for those who were there during those dramatic days just described above.  After all, we know the "end of the story," don't we?  We know how this drama plays out in the end.  But it is interesting to try and imagine how it was for those who were present that first Good Friday.  Personally, I imagine that there were many people present who thought that it was the end for this dynamic, young Rabbi from Nazareth.  Surely, this was the end for Him, they thought.  Little did they know that this was only the beginning.

Our Blessed Saviour used that Cross to be a vehicle for our salvation.

What rightly would have been a dreadful, painful death turned out to be a victory.  To the human eye, it seemed like a defeat ..  ..  a horrible defeat.  To the eyes of faith, it was something marvelous to behold:  Our Blessed Lord taking the sins of every single person and carrying them upon His blessed shoulders.  He achieved something you and I could never dream of accomplishing.  We could never hope to atone for our own sins, let alone the sins of humanity.  And yet Our Blessed Saviour never fails to surprise us.  Our Blessed Saviour is always ready to turn the ordinary into something extraordinary.   He used ordinary pieces of wood, fashioned into a place of execution for anyone else, and turned that "place of execution" into a "place of redeeming."  He performed on that hill at Calvary something truly extraordinary:  He redeemed the world by dying for us.  He became the true "Lamb of God" Who was sacrificed for our sins.  While Our Blessed Saviour amazed people who witnessed the miracles He performed.  He amazed people even in His death . . . . His death on the Cross.  He turned the ordinary into the extraordinary.  He turned defeat into triumph.  He experienced death so that you and I could ultimately experience life.

So often, you and I are willing to stop ourselves at the first sign of defeat.  So often in our struggles of daily living, we get frustrated . . . we get tired . ..  we get angry.  We try and try and try and things don't seem to go our way.  And so we just give up.  We stop trying.  It's not worth the effort, we tell ourselves.  Why should we continue?  This is crazy.   In a certain sense, as I say often during my sermons, we are our own worst enemies.  We limit ourselves by convincing ourselves that it won't be possible . . .  it can't be done . . . we shouldn't continue.  We convince ourselves that we just aren't worthy.  We tell ourselves that we will never be able to do it.  And to top it all off, we feel sorry for ourselves.  We turn our sorrows into a sort of a "pity party" and use that as an excuse not to continue.

"And he that taketh not his Cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of Me."  (St. Matthew 10:38)

And elsewhere in St. Luke's Gospel, we read:

"And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after Me, cannot be my disciple." (St. Luke 14:27)

All of us have burdens to bear.  All of us have struggles in life.  Whether they be personal addictions what we struggle with on a daily basis.  Or the addictions of a son, a daughter,  a loved one.  Whether they be burdens of health, financial burdens, burdens of loneliness after the death of a spouse.  All of us can name our "cross" that we must bear.  But Our Blessed Lord never leaves us alone.  One of the beautiful things about Our Saviour is that He not only teaches by His words, He leads by His example.  Our Blessed Lord is telling us also to " . . .  come, take up the cross, and follow Me."  (St. Mark 10:21)

When all seemed lost on that hill at Calvary.  When death seemed to triumph in the end.  Ultimately, death was defeated.  

When you seem defeated, when you seem as though you can not continue any further.  Place your trust in God.  Ask Him to turn your "defeat" into victory.

On the Feast of the Exultation of the Holy Cross, we should use this feast as a reminder:

1)  Remember that Our Blessed Lord turned defeat into victory.  With God, all things are possible.  Let us always remember that God can turn our defeat into victory.  God can turn the ordinary into the extraordinary.  

2) Remember that Christ died on the Cross to atone for OUR sins . . . . not His . . . . . but for OUR sins.  He used an instrument of death to bring life to us.  Let us always look upon the Cross and remember that Christ died for our sins and forgave us from the Cross:  "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do."

The Pope Speaks: What Caused the Great Apostasy?

We have just finished reading The Benedict Option. This work traces the rise of false ideas, going back a step further than We did in Our own work: Passion of the Mystical Body of Christ. However, this is not the problem, because if we as Catholics had not also bought into some of these false ideas, the Great Apostasy would not have happened.

A lot of time is wasted searching for and identifying the enemies of the Church. This time could be better spent in prayer, especially meditation, in reading Sacred Scripture and the Fathers of the Church.

Having said this, you may be asking, why even consider the cause of the Great Apostasy at all? The world and even the Church has a serious disease, and as a physician of souls, it is Our duty to diagnose the patient and prescribe the cure. Jesus did this two thousand years ago and sent his own Apostles into the world as physicians of souls to go and teach all nations the truth. We could learn a lot by studying the Scriptures and learning how the Apostles.

Once we have diagnosed the disease, then the treatment can be prescribed. And so what is the disease?

Archbishop Lefebvre wrote a letter to confused Catholics in which he stated: “For it is a master-stroke of Satan to get Catholics to disobey the whole of Tradition in the name of obedience.”

And this is what caused the Great Apostasy, the disobedience of Catholics, especially pastors and bishops to the Pope. In this case, Pope Saint Pius X.

Although Pope Saint Pius X provided many things to root out Modernism from among the ranks of the clergy, these were ignored, especially after his death. However, this is not the main case of disobedience. Recently a Traditionalist priest praised Saint Pius X for his work against Modernism, he missed what we are about to consider. In fact, We have seen only one Traditional priest, who ever addressed this matter.

In 1905, Saint Pius X wrote an Encyclical on Catechetical instruction. In paragraph 24 we read: “Since it is a fact that in these days adults need instruction no less than the young, all pastors and those having the care of souls shall explain the Catechism to the people in a plain and simple style adapted to the intelligence of their hearers. This shall be carried out on all holy days of obligation, at such time as is most convenient for the people, but not during the same hour when the children are instructed, and this instruction must be in addition to the usual homily on the Gospel which is delivered at the parochial Mass on Sundays and holy days. The catechetical instruction shall be based on the Catechism of the Council of Trent; and the matter is to be divided in such a way that in the space of four or five years, treatment will be given to the Apostles’ Creed, the Sacraments, the Ten Commandments, the Lord’s Prayer and the Precepts of the Church.”

This is a direct order from the Vicar of Jesus Christ to all pastors, and an order, which was almost completely ignored. If Catholics had known their Faith, as they should, then they would have not fallen into apostasy after Vatican II. We have no one to blame but ourselves. Saint John Vianney, the holy Cure of Ars said: “We shall find out at the day of judgment that the greater number of Christians who are lost were damned because they did not know their own religion.”

The health of the Mystical Body of Christ rests squarely on the virtue of obedience. Without obedience, any organization will fall apart.

In light of what we just learned, what should we, as Catholics do? For pastors the course is clear, obey the clear command of Pope Saint Pius X, a command which is repeated in the Code of Canon Law and by Pope Pius XI. Indeed instructing the faithful in the faith is a solemn duty of all who have the pastoral office. Pope Saint Pius X in Acrebo Nimis, only provided specific instructions on how this should be carried out. All pastors of souls should study the whole Encyclical, as it gives other instructions on their duties.

For the rest of Catholics, the course is also clear. Do not wait on your pastor to instruct you, but begin studying yourself. We believe that every Catholic should know the faith at the level of the Roman Catechism, which is also called the Catechism of the Council of Trent or also Catechism of the Catholic Church: Trent Edition. This catechism was prepared after the Council of Trent in the Spirit of Trent for the use of pastors in instructing the faithful.

Catholics should especially learn their duties to the Mystical Body of Christ, especially that of obedience to the hierarchy, which is appointed by God over His holy Church.

Let us look at part of the instruction on the Fourth Commandment in the Roman Catechism: “Of Bishops and other pastors it is written: 'Let the priests that rule well be esteemed worthy of double honour especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.' (I Timothy 5:17)

“What wondrous proofs of love for the Apostle must the Galatians have shown! For he bears this splendid testimony of their benevolence: 'I bear you witness that if it could be done, you would have plucked out your own eyes, and would have given them to me.' (Galatians 4:15)

“The priest is also entitled to receive whatever is necessary for his support. 'Who,' says the Apostle, 'serveth as a soldier at his own charges?' (I Corinthians 9:7) 'Give honour to the priests;, it is written in Ecclesiasticus (7:33-4), 'and purify thyself with thy arms; give them their portion, as it is commanded thee, of the first fruits and of purifications.'

“The Apostle also teaches that they are entitled to obedience: 'Obey your prelates, and be subject to them; for they watch as being to render an account of your souls.' (Hebrews 13:17) Nay, more. Christ the Lord commands obedience even to wicked pastors: 'Upon the chair of Moses have sitten the scribes and Pharisees: all things, therefore, whatsoever they shall say to you, observe and do; but according to their works do ye not, for they say and do not.' (Matthew 23:2-3)”

The Great Apostasy was caused by two things. The first was disobedience, which led directly to the second, ignorance of the Faith.

The Power of Obedience

Dom Gueranger in his The Liturgical Year tells us of the fast of the September Ember Days: “The exercise of selfrestraint which an individual Christian practises by his own will is for the advantage of that single member; but a fast undertaken by the Church at large includes everyone in a purification. God's people never is so powerful as when the hearts of all the faithful join together in the unity of holy obedience, and when, in the Christian camp, one and the same preparation is made by all, and one and the same bulwark protects all.”

Fasting on our own is a good thing, but fasting in obedience to the Church has a double virtue. There is first the mortification of the fast itself. Add to this is the virtue of obedience. September 20, 22 and 23 are the Embers Days in 2017. Let us zealously observe this fast and all of the fasts of the Church throughout the year in holy obedience. God will bless this fast under obedience and we pray that He will soon end the Great Apostasy, beginning in our own hearts.

As stated September 20, 22 and 23 are the Ember Days this year. On several occasions, We have retired to prayer and meditation, during the September Ember Week. We shall be doing so again this year (2017), and ask the support of your prayers.

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Vatican In Exile Radio is prerecorded with 8 hours of music and programing. This is our first one and we hope to be able to post one for each week. As we go along we desire to get better at it and more professional as we learn the ends and out of putting something like this together. We have some wonderful programing that will educate and inspire you to be a better Catholic. We also have music that varies from Gregorian Chant to Praise.  

Programing: For September 2017 1st Week

Weekly Scripture Reading

Fulton J Sheen Catechism Lessons

The Family Theater

Father Coughlin

Lives of the Saints

The Rosary (Joyful Mystery)

The Greatest Story Ever Told

Saint Alphonsus Sermon's

Our Glorious Popes

Saint John Vianney Sermon's

Old Testament Dramatized

Saint John Bellarmine Sermons

Ranger Bill

Ave Maria Broadcast

The Godly Home

Life Worth Living

The Catholic Book Shelf

Living Catholic: Four Basic Structures of Authority

1. (Family)-Father-Mother-Children 

Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing to the Lord. (Colossians 3:20)

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is just. Honour thy father and thy mother, which is the first commandment with a promise: That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest be long lived upon earth.(Ephesians 6:1-3)

My son, keep the commandments of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother. Bind them in thy heart continually, and put them about thy neck. (Proverbs 6:20-21)

The eye that mocketh at his father, and that despiseth the labour of his mother in bearing him, let the ravens of the brooks pick it out, and the young eagles eat it. (Proverbs 30:17)

A fool laugheth at the instruction of his father: but he that regardeth reproofs shall become prudent.(Proverbs 15:5)

2. (Church)-Pope-Bishops-Priest-Members of the Church

And we beseech you, brethren, to know them who labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you: That you esteem them more abundantly in charity, for their work' s sake. Have peace with them. (I Thessalonians 5:12,13)

Obey your prelates, and be subject to them. For they watch as being to render an account of your souls; that they may do this with joy, and not with grief. For this is not expedient for you. (Hebrews 13:17)

Let the priests that rule well, be esteemed worthy of double honour: especially they who labour in the word and doctrine: For the scripture saith: Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn: and, The labourer is worthy of his reward. I Timothy 5:17,18)

The ancients therefore that are among you, I beseech, who am myself also an ancient, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ: as also a partaker of that glory which is to be revealed in time to come: Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking care of it, not by constraint, but willingly, according to God: not for filthy lucre' s sake, but voluntarily: Neither as lording it over the clergy, but being made a pattern of the flock from the heart. (I Peter 5:1-3)

3. (Government)-National Leaders-Local Officials-Citizens

Be ye subject therefore to every human creature for God' s sake: whether it be to the king as excelling; Or to governors as sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of the good: (I Peter 2:13,14)

Let every soul be subject to higher powers: for there is no power but from God: and those that are, are ordained of God. (Romans 13:1)

For princes are not a terror to the good work, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? Do that which is good: and thou shalt have praise from the same. For he is God' s minister to thee, for good. But if thou do that which is evil, fear: for he beareth not the sword in vain. For he is God' s minister: an avenger to execute wrath upon him that doth evil. (Romans 13:3-4)

Wherefore be subject of necessity, not only for wrath, but also for conscience' sake. (Romans 13:5)

For therefore also you pay tribute. For they are the ministers of God, serving unto this purpose. Render therefore to all men their dues. Tribute, to whom tribute is due: custom, to whom custom: fear, to whom fear: honour, to whom honour. (Romans 13:6-7)

4. (Business)-Employer-Employees

Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh, not serving to the eye, as pleasing men, but in simplicity of heart, fearing God.(Colossians 3:22)

Whatsoever you do, do it from the heart, as to the Lord, and not to men: Knowing that you shall receive of the Lord the reward of inheritance. Serve ye the Lord Christ. (Colossians 3:23-24)

Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear, not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward. (I Peter 2:18)
Whosoever are servants under the yoke, let them count their masters worthy of all honour; lest the name of the Lord and his doctrine be blasphemed. (I Timothy 6:1)

But they that have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brethren; but serve them the rather, because they are faithful and beloved, who are partakers of the benefit. These things teach and exhort. (I Timothy 6:2)

Conclusion:

These things teach and exhort. If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to that doctrine which is according to godliness, He is proud, knowing nothing. ( I Timothy 6:2-4)

 Catechism Catch Up!: Actual Grace

Novenas to the Blessed Virgin Mary

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The Life and Kingdom of Jesus in Christian Souls

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How Christ Said the First Mass

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The Liturgical Year: 15 Volume set

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For other Books...

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The Fraters Kitchen

COD FILLETS WITH A HERB CRUST

METHOD

1. Heat oven to 220°C (gas mark 7). Place the cod on a large greased baking tray and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
2. Combine the breadcrumbs, garlic, lemon zest and herbs, and season well. Pour in the butter and mix with a large fork or your fingers, until combined. Cover the fillets with the crumbs, pressing down on each.
3. Transfer to the oven and roast for about 20 minutes, or until the crust is golden. Serve with a green salad.

The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary

The "heart" I mean to address is that faculty of the soul which perceives and inclines toward that which is beautiful.

I can not stress enough: The cultivation of the heart is absolutely necessary. Any apostolate, any mission, any good work, any study will ultimately fail without the heart. 

• Pray for Frater Francis Dominic as he teaches Catechism through the web site. We are still working on our new Website where people can listen or watch Catechism lessons, take tests, and get a certificate of completion. It will take a long time to finish it but you can see the work that we are doing and we will keep you updated on when it is completed. Check out all of the construction going on over there at Traditional Catechism.com

• God is calling men to come fully into His service with us here at the Vatican in Exile. It will be a life of self sacrifice. And so we ask all to pray for these men, that they will surrender to this calling and also have the fortitude to undertake this sacred calling.

   

• Please pray for Pope Michael, during the Ember Week, as he will be going on private retreat. The Ember Days are Wednesday, September 20; Friday September 22 and Saturday September 23.

• Frater Francis has some material needs of his own. He is in need of two Cassocks and a suit. He will be out in the public a lot more visiting hospitals, counseling, Jail visits, doing funerals and weddings etc. 

• We are looking to buy land for a Church and a House of Prayer. Please pray with us in finding the right place. and if you feel led, to donate money for this project you can donate by Paypal, or make check or money orders out to Vatican in Exile.  

• We have been looking at Hermitages to put on the property we will eventually buy. The ones we have been looking at are perfect for what we want. Although we are not in the market for them as of yet, we are still wanting to have a plan. 

Every month we are very close with our budget. It takes money to be available to people in other areas as well as having supplies like rosaries, bibles, pamphlets, Catechisms etc for sharing with Non Catholics. At this time to stay comfortably out of the red we need 700.00 a month. Please read the message Giving to God's Work and then decide how you can give. Everyone should give something. It does not have to be much.

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