Monday, October 13, 2014
Christopher Columbus: Catholic Explorer


Christopher Columbus, the great Catholic explorer, has been unjustly marred by historians and liberals. The true Christopher Columbus was a saintly man who sought to serve the Holy Catholic Faith and His Sovereign King.  Despite unprecedented challenges, Columbus ultimately ushered in the colonization and Christianization of the Western Hemisphere.  As a deeply religious man, we can learn from his Faith and devotion.  Join me in crying out: Sancto Subito! (May he be declared a saint soon!)

The following is excerpted from an excellent article on Nobility.org. Please read the whole article in honor of Columbus Day.
Before leaving [on his legendary voyage], Columbus received the Sacraments of Penance and Holy Eucharist, at the hands (it is stated) of Father Juan Perez, the officers and crews of the little squadron following his example. On 3 August, 1492, the people of Palos with heavy hearts saw them depart on an expedition regarded by many as foolhardy. 
... 
Columbus was unquestionably a man of genius. He was a bold, skilful navigator, better acquainted with the principles of cosmography and astronomy than the average skipper of his time, a man of original ideas, fertile in his plans, and persistent in carrying them into execution. The impression he made on those with whom he came in contact even in the days of his poverty, such as Fray Juan Perez, the treasurer Luis de Santangel, the Duke of Medina Sidonia, and Queen Isabella herself, shows that he had great powers of persuasion and was possessed of personal magnetism. His success in overcoming the obstacles to his expeditions and surmounting the difficulties of his voyages exhibit him as a man of unusual resources and of unflinching determination. 
Columbus was also of a deeply religious nature. Whatever influence scientific theories and the ambition for fame and wealth may have had over him, in advocating his enterprise he never failed to insist on the conversion of the pagan peoples that he would discover as one of the primary objects of his undertaking. Even when clouds had settled over his career, after his return as a prisoner from the lands he had discovered, he was ready to devote all his possessions and the remaining years of his life to set sail again for the purpose of rescuing Christ’s Sepulchre from the hands of the infidel.
The following author highlights the Franciscan nature of Columbus.  Columbus was a third order Franciscan and daily prayed the Divine Office:
As early as 1493, Columbus wrote a letter to the Royal Treasurer of Spain in which he speaks of the discovery of the New World as a great victory. Yet, it was not a victory by force of arms but a victory of bringing the truth to people who were sitting in the darkness of unbelief. He wrote, "Since our Redeemer gave this victory to our most illustrious King and Queen and to their famous realms, in so great a manner, it is fitting for all Christendom to rejoice and to make celebrations and give solemn thanks to the Holy Trinity with many solemn prayers for the great exultation which it will have and the turning of so many peoples to our holy Faith." 
All that we know about Columbus testifies to his having lived up to his Franciscan Rule. We know that he would wear the Franciscan habit, especially when he appeared before the Royalty or nobility. Except for the Franciscans with whom he stayed before leaving on his historic voyage, he would never had received the entree to Ferdinand and Isabella which opened the door to the New World. He went to confession to Franciscan priests. He would spend long periods of time in worshiping before the Blessed Sacrament in Franciscan chapels. When he left Palos, Spain on August 3, 1492 to cross the Atlantic, he left his son in the care of the Franciscans at their monastery. 
 Tomb of Christopher Columbus in Seville, Spain's Cathedral. Photo taken January 4, 2019 (c) A Catholic Life Blog.
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Tuesday, October 7, 2014
Solemn High Mass for Blessed Karl of Austria at Old St. Mary's in Washington, DC

I hope that those of you in the area can attend this Mass.

You may also be interested to learn of the death of Brother Nathan Cochran, OSB, the USA/Canada Delegate to the Blessed Karl League of Prayers.  Here is a link to his obituary:
http://pittsburghlatinmass.org/blog/?p=2167

He was a great promoter of Bl. Karl, and had a great devotion to the Traditional Latin Mass.

Woodlawn Knights of Columbus Council 2161 and the Pittsburgh Latin Mass Community, Inc., will be arranging a Requiem Mass for him at St. Anthony Chapel in Pittsburgh on Saturday, 29 November 2014, at 2pm.
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4 Ways to Help Minorities Become Traditional Catholics

There needs to be an immediate call to action by Traditional Catholics to do more to share the Traditional Faith with minorities.

Kenya, 1937

In my own situation, I frequent a few different chapels/shrines/parishes regularly for the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.  At each Mass, all of which are Traditional Latin Masses, I am pleased to find a few non-white Catholics in attendance.  These people are extremely intelligent – one of which is very fluent in Latin and an integral part of the schola.  It is rewarding to see the one True Faith bringing in people from all societies, social classes, races, and nationalities.  Our Faith is one.  It is universal – after all, that is what it means to be a Catholic!

As Traditional Catholics, some of us are to be commended for what we do to share the Faith with others – whether digitally (e.g. on our Facebook walls) or in personal discussions with others.  But why do so many of us not reach out to the racial or ethnic minorities in our communities?  Are not these people also called to the one saving Faith that is the Catholic Church, outside of which no one can be saved?  Do we do enough to help their salvation?

It’s unfortunate that there are few Traditional Latin Masses in the Spanish-speaking world, relatively to the number in the English speaking world.  And why is it that when we think of African American Catholic communities we think of “praise and worship” singing and heretical worship rather than people who also need true, valid Sacraments?

It’s a fact that the same Traditional Latin Mass codified by His Holiness Pope St. Pius V was the Mass that converted the inhabitants of the New World when the explorers of Juan Ponce de Leon and Christopher Columbus landed on these shores.  The christianization of the New World consisted of naming many places after the Faith.  Did you realize El Salvador means “The Savior” or that much of Southern California christianized by the Franciscans is named after the saints?  Santa Monica – Saint Monica.  San Diego - Saint Diego de Alcalá.  And there are many other examples.  The point is that these primitive people all became Catholics – Catholics attached solely to the Latin Mass and the Latin Sacraments.  It’s a fallacy to even suggest that these peoples need the Novus Ordo to serve as a bridge between their prior ways and the Solemnity of the Latin Mass.  History is our proof and it is not necessary.

Let's also consider the work of the SSPX in Africa or the ICKSP in Africa today and the many conversions they bring about.  All peoples are called to the beauty of Tradition.

There is a tendency – a subtle one within us – to assume that the extraordinary beauty, awe, history, and ritual of the Traditional Latin Mass is only meant for Europeans and those of European heritage.  We need to completely eradicate this notion out of our minds.  Let’s consider the following:

1. Invite non-Catholic minorities to Mass with you.  It’s a holy act and one that we should all be doing more often.  There are many protestant minorities in our society.  There are too many ex-Catholics in the Hispanic community who are seeking spirituality in the un-holiness of Pentecostalism and the like.  Are we inviting them back to Mass?  Are we bringing them with us to the Solemn High Masses so they can experience the great awe and mystery of the Faith that they may have never truly known?  Do we explain to them why we pray to the Holy Mother of God?

2. Invite Catholic minorities to Mass.  With this group, unlike the aforementioned one, they can and should receive the Sacraments.  Help them follow along in the Missal.  Help explain to them the rituals (e.g. the Signs of the Cross, the many genuflections, the symbolism, etc).  Help them feel the awe and mystery.  Invite them to go to Confession.  Introduce them to the priest afterwards.  Invite them to the monthly social hours or some devotions (e.g. Sunday Vespers, Benediction, Rosary, etc).  These people, just like their Caucasian counterparts in non-Traditional Catholic Churches, yearn for what is True, Good, and Beautiful.  This is especially worthwhile to do by bringing to Mass those with inadequate transportation or health issues who may be completely unable to attend any Mass at all on a given Sunday.

3. Advertise in parishes with high minority concentrations.  Put some handouts in the various literature racks of these parishes with information on the Latin Mass and the local times – or even just some beautiful holy cards of St. Pius X or Pope Pius XII or a holy card on why pray the Rosary.  It’s no secret that many parishes with a large minority makeup suffer from poor catechesis, downright scandalous liturgies, and infrequent Confession times.  These people could really benefit from our missionary work.

4. Invite the homeless and the poor to Mass.  Consider giving them a few dollars when you see them and, at the same time, handing them a holy card or a Rosary.  Man does not live on bread alone but on every word that cometh forth from the mouth of God.

So please, join me in helping to evangelize to all members of our society – regardless of their race or nationality.  Let’s help spread the Traditional Mass to everyone.

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Sunday, October 5, 2014
Solemn High Mass for Blessed Karl of Austria in Roslyn, NY

Join us in celebrating the exemplary life of Blessed Karl, Emperor and King.

Reception after Holy Mass

Sponsored by the Saint Agnes Institute
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Saturday, October 4, 2014
2014 SSPX Starkenburg Pilgrimage


Come join us with your family in this 3-day, 40-mile pilgrimage in honor of Our Lady!

Renew and increase your devotion to the Blessed Mother!

The SSPX is pleased to coordinate this Pilgrimage of Tradition in honor of Our Lady of Sorrows to Starkenburg, MO. The pilgrimage route will be along the historic and beautiful Katy Trail.

We offer both a 3-day and a 1-day option for pilgrims.

The 3-day pilgrimage will start at the Katy Trail access point in Jefferson City, MO, proceeding through Tebbetts, Mokane, Portland, and Bluffton to conclude near the Shrine of Our Lady of Sorrows in Starkenburg, MO.

The 1-day pilgrimage will join the 3-day pilgrimage at Portland, MO on the morning of October 18 for the final 12.5 miles.

Learn more by clicking here.
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Requiem Aeternam: Fr. Benedict Groeschel

Please join me in praying for the soul of Father Benedict Groeschel, requiescat in pace. He has passed away after a long life of service to the Faith. May God forgive him his sins.  May St. Francis of Assisi intercede for Fr. Benedict, who has died on the eve of St. Francis' feast.

Taken from the press release:
Fr. Benedict J. Groeschel, beloved priest and preacher, died on October 3, 2014, the vigil of the Feast of St. Francis, after complications with an ongoing illness. He was 81.

Fr. Benedict was a founder of the Community of Franciscan Friars of the Renewal (CFR), a reform community started in 1987 by eight Capuchin Friars based in New York City. A priest and psychologist, he was director of Trinity Retreat House in Larchmont, New York, and also taught Pastoral Psychology for many years at St. Joseph’s Seminary in Dunwoodie. Fr. Benedict was a popular writer, preacher, retreat master, and evangelist on Catholic television. His greatest joy was serving the poor and underprivileged. Founder of St. Francis House and Good Counsel Homes, he also served as chaplain at Children’s Village in Dobbs Ferry for 14 years. Always deeply concerned with the welfare of others, he tirelessly provided food, clothing, and assistance to people in need—people he always considered his friends.

Father Benedict is survived by his sister, Marjule Drury, sister Robin Groeschel, brother Gary Groeschel, nine nieces and nephews, 115 CFR brothers and priests, and 31sisters who were inspired by his authentic witness to religious life and devotion to Jesus and His Church. He was preceded by his brothers Edward and Mark.

Image: Fr. Benedict Groeschel after his ordination.
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Friday, October 3, 2014
Photo: First Mass in Versailles Since the French Revolution

Cardinal Spellman, celebrated Mass for the U.S. military in the Royal Chapel of the Palace of Versailles on September 10, 1944. The Mass was the first Mass to be celebrated in the chapel since the French Revolution. Thanks to Archives of the Archdiocese of New York for this photo.

Let us pray for a restoration of the Traditional Mass and an end to the erroneous ideas of the French Revolution, which still plague us.
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Tuesday, September 30, 2014
Happy Michaelmas!

"Michaelmas" is pronounced "MICKel-mus" is one of the 4 English Quarter Days

Today is also one of the 4 English "Quarter Days," days which fall around the Equinoxes or Solstices and mark the beginnings of new natural seasons ( i.e., Spring, Summer, Winter, Fall) and which were used in medieval times to mark "quarters" for legal purposes, such as settling debts.  Debt collection was forbidden certain times of the year such as during the Octave of Christmas.

The other days like this are Lady Day (the Feast of the Annunciation) on March 25, the Feast of St. John on June 24, and Christmas on December 25.
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Saturday, September 27, 2014
Rosary Novena for the Defense of the Family

The following is taken from the recent SSPX Newsletter.  Let us join our prayers for this intention:


Approaching rapidly is the October 2014 Extraordinary Meeting of the Synod of Bishops: “Pastoral Challenges to the Family in the Context of Evangelization”. This Synod will be held from October 5-19 and potentially has the grave danger of undermining the Church's doctrinal and moral teachings on marriage and family issues.

To counteract this danger, the USA District Superior, Fr. Jurgen Wegner, is asking everyone to join in a rosary novena for the defense of the family:
I request that all pastors dedicate at least three sermons in October and November to the fundamental truths about marriage. I request also that you invite all the faithful to join us in a novena of rosaries from September 29th to October 7th. We will offer our rosaries for the defense of the family. Please encourage everyone to pray the 15 decades of the rosary."
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Friday, September 26, 2014
Bishop Morlino vs. Holy Wisdom Monastery

While this story is slightly dated, it’s worth repeating here for those who are in or around the Madison Area.  The “Holy Wisdom monastery" has rightfully been made off limits to all priests of the Diocese.  This place, as the following article indicates, is ripe with the fruits of discord and heresy.  

If you notice in the comments to the article on the website of The Wisconsin State Journal that many people are condemning Bishop Morlino for his actions.  Some are pledging support for the heretics, some of whom still falsely call themselves “Catholic.”  This is a good reminder that the enemies of Christ are always at work to sow discord (e.g. Luke 16:8)

Bishop Robert Morlino is continuing to put more distance between the Madison Catholic Diocese and Holy Wisdom Monastery, a former Catholic monastery on the outskirts of Madison that is now a non-Catholic ecumenical retreat center. 
In the latest development, Morlino is now prohibiting priests in the diocese from “attendance or participation at all events held at Holy Wisdom Monastery and all events sponsored or co-sponsored by Holy Wisdom Monastery or the Benedictine Women of Madison,” according to a March 7 letter to priests leaked to the State Journal. 
... 
In 2000, the monastic Catholic sisters at the site welcomed a Protestant woman to live with them, a move that led them to seek independence from the Catholic Church. The Vatican approved their request in 2006. The monastery is now managed by the Benedictine Women of Madison, an ecumenical community led by Sister Mary David Walgenbach, who is Catholic. 
Morlino’s action highlights a longstanding beef some Catholics, especially those who are more tradition-minded, have with the monastery. The monastery’s worship services, they say, retain so many elements of a Mass that unsuspecting Catholics could be duped into thinking the services are valid representations of Catholic teaching. This is especially worrisome, they say, because the worship services diverge from church doctrine in profound ways, such as allowing women to preach and embracing the relationships of gay couples. 
“Holy Wisdom Monastery is perhaps best known among local Catholics for substantive rejection of the Catholic faith, so I would think priests or sisters should know they are not sending a good message if they attend events there,” said Elizabeth Durack of Madison, who attends the Cathedral Parish in Downtown Madison and has been vocal in encouraging “faithful Catholics” not to attend activities at the monastery. 
... 
Morlino, in his letter to priests, said it was his duty “to protect the integrity and unity of the faith.” There “is a grave potential for scandal and confusion among the faithful, owing to Holy Wisdom Monastery’s status as a former Catholic monastery,” he wrote. 
Read more: The Wisconsin State Journal 
Please remember to support Traditional Catholic charities (check out the Top 10 Charities for Traditional Catholics).  We must all work diligently in order to safeguard the Faith that is under attack from outside and inside the Holy Church.

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