Friday, January 29, 2016

THE FIRST VIDEO OF THE POPE (ANALYSIS)

The authority of the Pope is not unlimited; it is at the service of the Sacred Tradition.
JOSEPH RATZINGER, The Spirit of the Liturgy, page 162.

  • “But as many as received him, (the Son, through Faith and Baptism) he gave them power to be made the sons of God, to them that believe in his name.” (John 1:12)
  • “Neither is there salvation in any other. For there is no other name under Heaven given to men, whereby we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12)
  • “To us, Christ is the Way, for we can never reach God, the supreme and ultimate good, by this toilsome and doubtful road of mortal life, except with Christ as our leader and guide.” “No man cometh to the Father, but by me.” [John 14:6] Encyclical Letter TAMETSI FUTURA of Leo XIII.
  • “Another abundant source of the evils with which the Church is afflicted at present: indifferentism. This perverse opinion is spread on all sides by the fraud of the wicked who claim that it is possible to obtain the eternal salvation of the soul by the profession of any kind of religion, as long as morality is maintained. Surely, in so clear a matter, you will drive this deadly error far from the people committed to your care.” (Encyclical MIRARI VOS of H.H. Gregory XVI)

THE FIRST VIDEO OF THE POPE

We have waited a few days to analyze the first video of Pope Francis, which has been highly controversial worldwide. Since we do not intend to deliver the news before anyone else, but to analyze the events in a calm manner and based on all the elements available, this waiting has been deliberate, given the possibility of an explanation or rectification on the part of the Holy See. However, this has not happened.

A number of anguished readers have urged us to provide orientation in this regard. Let us now get down to the facts:

As of January 2016, the monthly prayer intentions of the Pope will be delivered through a video as part of a campaign entitled “The Video of the Pope”. This project stems from the Global Prayer Network, and the corresponding video for the month of January is called “interreligious dialogue”. Two friends of the Pope are involved in the video; the rabbi Daniel Goldman and the Islamic leader Omar Abboud, together with a Catholic priest, Guillermo Marcó and a Buddhist lama, Rinchen Kandro.

The video begins like this: “Most of the planet’s inhabitants declare themselves believers. This should lead to dialogue among religions. We should not stop praying for it and collaborating with those who think differently”, states the pontiff, who appears speaking in Spanish. “I have confidence in the Buddha”, “I believe in God”, “I believe in Jesus Christ”, “I believe in God, Allah”, says one after the other. “Many think differently, feel differently, seeking God or MEETING GOD in different ways. In this crowd, in this range of religions there is only one certainty we have for all: we are all children of God”, adds Francis.

Some might say: “The Pope is the Vicar of Christ, he is infallible and cannot ever err, therefore, what he says in this video is beyond dispute.” Surely, there are some unenlightened Catholics who ignore that the infallibility of the Pope requires certain conditions in its own magisterium; that is to say, these conditions are necessary for this magisterium to be infallible. Hence, the acts or dispositions of a PASTORAL nature (as it is the case of this video) are not doctrinal definitions and they are not entitled to the privilege of the infallibility, as opposed to the teachings on faith and morals, which are infallible provided they comply with all the conditions demanded by the Church. Nevertheless, this does not mean that pastoral matters should not be obeyed and respected (in most cases). We must respect and obey the Pope, to whom we owe a filial obedience, regardless of the infallibility.

Does this filial obedience imply that the Pope will always make the right decision regarding PASTORAL aspects? Or that he will never commit the slightest doctrinal error? Not necessarily, even though the Pope is typically assisted in a special way by the Holy Ghost, this assistance involves a correspondence of the person who receives it and it does not remove the judgments and criteria inherent to human nature. “The authority of the Pope is not unlimited; it is at the service of the Sacred Tradition” stated Pope Francis’ predecessor, Joseph Ratzinger in his book The Spirit of the Liturgy. Then, if he abandons the spirit of the Sacred Tradition, he would be exceeding his authority and certainly be subject to error, and this is where we can apply the following sentence of the Bible: “We ought to obey God, rather than men.” (Acts 5:29)

This is so true, that a Pope can be resisted, as Saint Paul did with Saint Peter when the latter, as narrated in the Holy Scripture, agreed, due to human prudence, with the Judaizers (i.e. those who advocated for keeping the Jewish law). This act contradicted what had been established by the Council of Jerusalem. It was against the doctrine defined by the Church (included Saint Peter as Pope and head of the Council). Saint Paul, who was Saint Peter’s subordinate and acted as such, withstood him to the face for not following the way and truth of the Gospel. Saint Peter admitted his mistake and agreed with Saint Paul, acting with great humility and accepting that an inferior could not only depart from an erred action of his superior but even rebuke him; that is to say, to refute his error out of love for the truth of the Gospel. It should be noted that Saint Peter’s mistake was grave and public. About this incident, Saint Thomas points out that Saint Paul’s confrontation was in regard to THE EXERCISE and not the authority of the power, and that Saint Peter was reprehensible due to his dissimulation and disordered fear, which led him to abandon the truth and follow the deceit of the faithful. He does not consider the cause of the rebuke to be something minor, but rather fair and convenient. Had this not been done, the knowledge of the truth of the Gospel would have been in danger, and this truth would have perished if Gentiles had been forced to keep the legal precepts of the Jewish law. Saint Thomas also notes that Saint Peter’s dissimulation constituted a danger to everyone and for that reason it was convenient for Saint Paul’s rebuke to be public and manifest. This biblical passage proves that it is possible to differ publicly from a Pope, whenever it is considered that he is not acting in accordance with the truth of the gospel, provided it is done with charity and always demonstrating subjection to his legitimate authority and acting as subordinates.

There were other incidents similar to that of Saint Paul and Saint Peter. Just to name a few: Saint Sophronius and Pope Honorius I and Saint Athanasius and Pope Liberius.

But let us return to the video of Pope Francis. There is certainly one fatal error in it, in our view the most significant, in pointing out that God can be found through false religions (let us remember that the Pope said: “Many think differently, feel differently, seeking God or MEETING GOD in different ways.) In these false religions the Triune God is not recognized. The Holy Bible says: “Who is a liar, but he who denieth that Jesus is the Christ? This is Antichrist, who denieth the Father, and the Son. Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father. He that confesseth the Son, hath the Father also. As for you, let that which you have heard from the beginning, abide in you. If that abide in you, which you have heard from the beginning, you shall also abide in the Son, and in the Father. And this is the promise which he hath promised us, life everlasting.” (1Jn 2: 22-25) It also teaches us that: “All the gods of the Gentiles are devils: but the Lord made the Heavens.” (Psalms 95:5). This is so true that: “There is no salvation in any other. For there is no other name under Heaven given to men, whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:12) Furthermore, supernatural filiation is obtained through Baptism: “That is to say, not they that are the children of the flesh, are the children of God; but they, that are the children of the promise, are accounted for the seed” (Romans 9:8). “But as many as received him, he gave them power to be made the sons of God, to them that believe in His name.” (John 1:12). Therefore in order to find God we must seek Him in Christ, because “all the gods of the Gentiles are devils.” (Psalms 95:5). “But the things which the heathens sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils and not to God. And I would not that you should be made partakers with devils. You cannot drink the chalice of the Lord, and the chalice of the devils: you cannot be partakers of the table of the Lord, and of the table of Devils.” (1 Corinthians 10:20-21) “For it is written, The Lord thy God shalt thou adore, and him only shalt thou serve.” (Matthew 4:10).

The video continues with each one of the participants of the diverse faiths saying that they “believe in love”, and it ends showing to the camera four objects, first individually and then all of them at once, these objects are: a Buddha, a menorah, a Baby Jesus (instead of a crucifix, which is the symbol of Catholicism, why is that? So as not to annoy Protestants?), and a tasbih (Muslim “rosary”), while the voice in off of Francis points out “I hope you will spread my prayer request this month: That sincere dialogue among men and women of different faiths may produce the fruits of peace and justice. I have confidence in your prayers.” The symbols of false religions put on par with the image of Christ, without a cross, the image of the Child-God!

You see the Trinity, if you see charity, wrote Saint Augustine. Therefore, if you do not see it, that is, if you do not believe in the Holy Trinity, you do not believe in true Love either. Maybe you believe in some sort of fraternity or human philanthropy, but not in the real Love. Should we use dialogue only to achieve peace and justice as the world gives them? Or should we use it to convert those who are mistaken to the true Faith?

In his Encyclical Mortalium Animos, H.H. Pius XI, says: “The union of Christians can only be promoted by promoting the return to the one true Church of Christ of those who are separated from it, for in the past they have unhappily left it. To the one true Church of Christ, we say, which is visible to all, and which is to remain, according to the will of its Author, exactly the same as He instituted it for the salvation of all. During the lapse of centuries, the mystical Spouse of Christ has never been contaminated, nor can she ever in the future be contaminated, as Cyprian bears witness: "The Bride of Christ cannot be made false to her Spouse: she is incorrupt and faithful.” Then what should we say to those who do not believe in Jesus Christ? The duty of every Catholic is to announce them the Good News! “And he said to them: Go ye into the whole world and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved: but he that believeth not shall he condemned.” (Mark 16: 15-16)

The true charity towards those who are mistaken is to show them the full Truth and to pray for them – not “with” them – so that they convert to the true Faith, just as the Holy Church used to pray during the Sacred Liturgy of Good Friday:

“Let us pray also for heretics and schismatics, that our God and Lord Jesus Christ may deliver them from all errors, and be pleased to call them back to the Holy Mother, the Catholic and Apostolic Church.”

“Let us pray also for the faithless Jews: that almighty God may remove the veil from their hearts; so that they too may acknowledge Jesus Christ our Lord.”

“Let us pray also for the Pagans; that Almighty God would remove all iniquity from their hearts; that quitting their idols, they may be converted to the true and living God, and his only Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.”

CONVERSION of Jews, Muslims and Pagans; and Return of heretics and schismatics. This is our lifelong Faith; the Faith of the Apostles; the Faith we are proud to profess.

“Bear not the yoke with unbelievers. For what participation hath justice with injustice? Or what fellowship hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? Or what part hath the faithful with the unbeliever?” (2 Corinthians 6: 14-15)

In his Encyclical Mirari Vos, Pope Gregory XVI observes that “Another abundant source of the evils with which the Church is afflicted at present: indifferentism. This perverse opinion is spread on all sides by the fraud of the wicked who claim that it is possible to obtain the eternal salvation of the soul by the profession of any kind of religion, as long as morality is maintained. Surely, in so clear a matter, you will drive this deadly error far from the people committed to your care. With the admonition of the apostle that "there is one God, one faith, one baptism"16 may those fear who contrive the notion that the safe harbor of salvation is open to persons of any religion whatever. They should consider the testimony of Christ Himself that "those who are not with Christ are against Him.”

AS SUBORDINATES AND AS CHILDREN, NOT AS REBELS

If the Church applies this doctrine to the Roman Pontiff, all the more reason for the rest of us to bear it in mind and comply with it: “The Roman Pontiff - like all the faithful - is subject to the Word of God, to the Catholic faith, and is the guarantor of the Church's obedience; in this sense he is ‘servus servorum’ Dei. He does not make arbitrary decisions, but is spokesman for the will of the Lord, who speaks to man in the Scriptures lived and interpreted by Tradition; in other words, the episkope of the primacy has limits set by divine law and by the Church's divine, inviolable constitution found in Revelation.” Source Document: “THE PRIMACY OF THE SUCCESSOR OF PETER IN THE MYSTERY OF THE CHURCH”, which is a crucial text of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, issued by the then Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger. It is also worth considering what was stated by the Council Vatican I: “The Holy Spirit was promised to the successors of Peter not so that they might, by his revelation, make known some new doctrine, but that, by his assistance, they might religiously guard and faithfully expound the revelation or deposit of faith transmitted by the apostles.”

If the mission of the Roman Pontiff is not to innovate but to evangelize the world with the perennial doctrine, with the inviolable deposit guarded by him, and to feed the ship entrusted to him by Christ in order to seek the salvation of the souls… then following the examples of Saint Paul, Saint Athanasius, Saint Sophronius, Saint Catherine of Siena and so many others, we miserable sinners turn our eyes towards the Vicar of Christ and, as his subordinates, ask him for the bread of the eternal and immutable Truth and the preaching only of Christ and his one and only Church, that is to say, “Christ crucified: unto the Jews indeed a stumblingblock, and unto the Gentiles foolishness.” (1 Corinthians 1:23). Knowing that a father must never reach a stone for a son who asked for bread, nor a serpent to one who asked for a fish (Matthew 7: 9-10) we beg for the bread of the one and unchangeable Truth of Christ. Pope Francis himself has said to us:

“When the calf is hungry, it goes to the cow, to the mother, and takes the milk. But the cow does not give it right away: it seems that she keeps it for herself. And what does the calf do? It knocks with its nose against the cow’s udder, so that the milk comes. It’s a beautiful image! I ask you, please, bother the pastors, disturb the pastors, all of us pastors, so that we will give you the milk of grace, of doctrine, and of guidance. Bother us!" (Pope Francis 12-5-14. Watch the video by clicking HERE)

Holy Father: As your children, we are following your advice.

“The truth is one, and it cannot be halved; it lasts forever, and is not subject to the vicissitudes of the times. ‘Jesus Christ, today and yesterday, and the same for ever’.” (Heb 13: 8) Saint Pius X, Encyclical “Iucunda Sane”.



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Source of information: Blog CATOLICIDAD http://www.catolicidad.com/2016/01/el-primer-video-del-papa_14.html Translated from Spanish by: Fabiola Lozano.

Wednesday, January 27, 2016

CHRISTIANOPHOBIA IN IRAQ


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Source of information: Blog CATOLICIDAD http://www.catolicidad.com/2014/10/cristianofobia-en-irak.html. Translated from Spanish by: Fabiola Lozano.

Monday, January 25, 2016

MANKIND: CREATED, REDEEMED AND PRESERVED BY JESUS CHRIST. IT IS ONLY THROUGH OUR REDEEMER THAT WE CAN BE SAVED

THROUGH NO OTHER MEANS CAN WE ATTAIN SALVATION


Watch the following video of a 3D hologram of the Holy Shroud


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Source of information: Blog CATOLICIDAD http://www.catolicidad.com/2016/01/el-genero-humano-creado-redimido-y.html.  Translated from Spanish by: Fabiola Lozano.

Friday, January 22, 2016

EXAMINATION OF CONSCIENCE FOR CONFESSION

Confession is the easiest sacrament for us to receive, it is available to everyone and it does not require difficult conditions. Therefore, anyone willing to make a good Confession will always achieve their objective. Hence, those who are greatly afraid of making a bad Confession tend to make the best ones, due to this very fear.

Disciple: Should we pray before we go to Confession?

Master: It is a matter of faith that without the aid of divine grace we cannot make a good Confession. We must ask for this aid through prayer before the examination of conscience, and so we should:

1) Revive the faith in this sacrament, which is the principal means of salvation.
2) Greatly thank Jesus, who wanted to give us such a great gift, at the expense of His passion and death.
3) Entrust ourselves to Our Blessed Mother, who is Refuge of sinners, to our Guardian Angel and to the souls in purgatory; once we have done this we should examine our consciences.

D.- Oh, Father, it is at this point where my worries start. I am not capable of making a good examination of conscience… either I cannot remember my sins or I forget them when I am in front of the confessor.

M.- Slow down, my friend, slow down, let us not muddy the waters with an excessive zeal. Fear will never help us to achieve anything; however, if we try to proceed with calm and trust in God, we will certainly get what we want. Let us do our part and God will take care of the rest. Normally, the less satisfied we are, the more satisfied He is.

It is compulsory to make a serious (deep) and thorough examination for everyone who:

1) Commits mortal sins.
2) Goes to Confession very occasionally.
3) Has not made a good Confession in a long time.

These persons must confess their grave sins along with the circumstances that modify the type of sin, also the number of times they committed each, and, of course, they have to examine their conscience seriously and carefully in advance.

D.- What do we have to do to make a good examination of conscience?

M.- In order to examine thoroughly our consciences we have to consider one by one the Commandments of God and of the Church, together with one’s duties of state; examining if we have failed, and how many times, in thoughts, words, deeds or omissions, taking into account our ruling passion and the cause of our most ordinary faults.

In the First Commandment, we should examine if we have sinned against faith in any of the truths of our sacrosanct religion; if we have uttered or heard words; read books, journals or newspapers contrary to religion; if we have committed sacrileges, either by making bad Confessions or by receiving Communion sacrilegiously, or by showing contempt towards sacred persons or things; if we have engaged in superstitious practices or taken part in spiritualist acts.

In the Second Commandment, we should examine if we have blasphemed the Holy Name of God, the Blessed Virgin Mary, the saints or sacred things, and if we have taken false or unlawful oaths.

In the Third Commandment, we should examine if we have attended Mass properly on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation; if we have not listened to the sermons on purpose or have not attended catechism lessons; if we have engaged in servile works or if we have profaned the festivals engaging in illicit or dangerous distractions, this is to say, indulging in dissipation, or spending the day in taverns, clubs or dangerous places.

In the Fourth Commandment, we should examine if we have been disrespectful towards our parents or superiors, by word or by deed, if we have insulted them; if we have hit them or made them cry due to our bad behavior.

In the Fifth Commandment, we should examine if we have wounded somebody seriously; if we have sworn vengeance; if we have uttered imprecations or curses; if we have given scandal, that is to say, if we have induced other people to sin with our words or deeds.

In the Sixth and Ninth Commandments, we should examine if we have had thoughts or actions contrary to chastity, and if we have willfully entertained in them instead of discarding them immediately; if we have had or listened to impure conversations or if we have read immodest books; if we have committed impure actions alone or with others and if so, the nature, gender and status of those involved in such acts, since these circumstances modify the malice of the sin; if we commit them occasionally or if they have become a habit; and if we have frequented immodest places of dance or shows.

In the Seventh and Tenth Commandment, we should examine if we have stolen money or things of significant value, either from homes or from other people; if we have wronged our neighbor in their property; if we have desired in thought to take what is not ours.

In the Eighth Commandment, we should examine if we have told serious or harmful lies about our neighbor; if we have slandered or libeled someone; or if we have harmed others by telling lies against their honor or good name.

Moving on now to the Commandments of the Church, it is sufficient to examine if we have eaten meat on forbidden days and if we have not fasted, in case we are obliged to do it, or if we have not confessed our sins and received Holy Communion once a year during prescribed time.
We should add to the previous examination something related to vices and deadly sins, examining if we have committed serious sins of pride, gluttony, wrath and envy.

Finally, we should take a look at our obligations related to our duty of state.

D.- Should we also examine ourselves about the obligations of our duty of state?

R.- Of course! A father or a mother, a husband or a wife, a teacher, a superior or a clerk may observe diligently all the Commandments of God and of the Church, yet fail gravely in their duties of state; therefore, it is of the utmost importance to examine ourselves about it, if we wish to make a good Confession. The following anecdote is true:

During one of his trips, the emperor Charles the V lodged in a convent and wanted to make a Confession. A very kind and venerable religious listened intently to the emperor’s confession, and once he had finished, he told him: “Confessus es pecenta Caroli, nunc confitere peccata Caesarin”. You have confessed the sins committed by Charles, that is to say, as if you were not the emperor, now you should confess all the sins you have committed in the position you occupy. And with great ability and sagacity he began to interrogate him about how he ruled his people. The emperor was so moved that later on he said: “I have finally found a Father who has explained to me certain issues and has given full peace to my conscience.”

D.- Father, is it possible for everyone to make a perfect and diligent examination?

M.- If we do not succeed in making such an examination, it will suffice if we go to the confessor, willing to tell him everything we remember and to answer honestly the questions he asks us.

D.- But what happens if the confessor does not ask us and we forget to tell him some mortal sins?

M.- All sins, even mortal sins that we unintentionally forget, are forgiven together with the ones that we do confess, remaining only the obligation to confess them, if we remember them, in the next Confession we make.

D.- Do we also have to examine our thoughts and desires?

M.- Yes, of course, because thoughts and desires, if impure or evil, are also sins.

One time a candid child said to his mother: If what you have told me that nothing gets lost in the world is true, then where do thoughts and desires go?

- Son, said the mother, seriously, those deposit in the mind of God and remain there forever.

- Forever!, exclaimed the child, shocked.

For a while, he was thoughtful and a bit reflective, and then hugging his mother closely he said to her:

- I am scared!

If our thoughts are good, why would we be scared? But if certain thoughts make us feel afraid, it is a clear sign that we should examine them and abhor them.

D- Are bad thoughts always sins?

M.- No, my friend. Sometimes bad thoughts are not sins at all, other times they are venial sins, however, they can also be mortal sins. The next example will help clarify what we are saying:

If a spark of fire falls on a white cloth but we remove it immediately it does not leave a stain. If we leave it there for a brief instant, it will leave a blackened smear.

However, if we leave it there to see what happens, it will burn the cloth completely. The same happens with bad thoughts, if we discard them immediately, they do not cause any harm at all, if we entertain for an instant in them, they become venial sins, and if we indulge in them with full knowledge and consent, they become mortal sins.

D.- Who is not obliged to make a thorough (deep) examination of conscience?

M.- Timorous souls, who in addition confess frequently, are in no way obliged to make a thorough examination, the reason being that either they do not commit mortal sins, or having committed one they do not forget it easily (since they are recent sins. If they remember all of them, then it will not be necessary a deep examination).

D.- Now, Father, tell me, are those who anguish and agitate because they cannot find any sins at all acting wrong?

M.-Most probably yes. What is so wonderful about not finding any sins because they do not commit them? They should thank God and carry on without committing them with the powerful aid of the sacraments… sins, if not committed, cannot be found.

CONFESS WELL!
Fr. Luis José Chiavarino

IN THIS POST WE HAVE SEEN ONLY ONE OF THE CONDITIONS NECESSARY FOR MAKING A GOOD CONFESSION, TO SEE ALL OF THEM CLICK HERE: http://www.catholicityblog.com/2015/12/five-steps-necessary-for-making-good.html


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Source of information: Blog CATOLICIDAD http://www.catolicidad.com/2016/01/modo-practico-de-confesarse-el-examen.html Translated from Spanish by: Fabiola Lozano.

Wednesday, January 20, 2016

TO OVERCOME THE DREADFUL LUKEWARMNESS


CLICK HERE TO SEE HOW TO PRACTICE THE DAILY DEVOTION OF THE THREE HAIL MARYS IN WHICH WE ASK HER TO FREE US FROM SIN: 

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Source of information: Blog CATOLICIDAD http://www.catolicidad.com/2016/01/para-salir-de-la-terrible-tibieza.html.  Translated from Spanish by: Fabiola Lozano.

Monday, January 18, 2016

CONSECRATION TO THE MOST CHASTE HEART OF SAINT JOSEPH



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Source of information: Blog CATOLICIDAD http://www.catolicidad.com/2016/01/consagracion-al-castisimo-corazon-de.html. Translated from Spanish by: Fabiola Lozano.

Friday, January 15, 2016

THE THREE HAIL MARYS DEVOTION


What does this devotion consist of?

It consists of praying the Hail Mary to Our Lady, the Blessed Virgin Mary, for the purpose of either honoring her or obtaining a favor through her intercession.

What is the purpose of this devotion?

To honor the three main attributes of the Holy Virgin, which are:
1. The power she received from the Eternal Father due to being His favored daughter.
2. The wisdom bestowed upon her by God the Son in choosing her as His mother.
3. The mercy with which the Holy Ghost fulfilled her in choosing her to be the Immaculate Conception.
Hence the number of Hail Marys to be prayed is three.

How to pray the three Hail Marys:

“Mary, my Mother, deliver me from falling into sin.”

1. For the power granted to you by the Eternal Father
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now, and at the hour of our death. Amen.
"By thy Immaculate Conception, O Mary, make my body pure and my soul holy."

2. For the wisdom granted to you by God the Son
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now, and at the hour of our death. Amen.
"By thy Immaculate Conception, O Mary, make my body pure and my soul holy."

3. For the mercy granted to you by the Holy Ghost
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now, and at the hour of our death. Amen.
"By thy Immaculate Conception, O Mary, make my body pure and my soul holy."

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

ORIGINS OF THIS DEVOTION

St. Mechtilde (Matilda), a Benedictine nun, requested the Virgin Mary to assist her in the hour of her death. Our Lady told her the following: “I will certainly. But I also want you to say three Hail Marys to me every day. The first will be in honor of God the Father, Whose omnipotence raised my soul so high above every other creature that after God I have the greatest power in Heaven and on earth. In the hour of your death I will use that power of God the Father to keep any hostile power far from you. The second Hail Mary will be said in honor of the Son of God Who communicated His inscrutable wisdom to me. In the hour of your death I will fill your soul with the light of that wisdom so that all the darkness of ignorance and error will be dispelled. The third Hail Mary will be in honor of God the Holy Ghost Who filled my soul with the sweetness of His love, tenderness and mercy, so much so, that after God I am the sweetest and most merciful. In your last hour I will then change the bitterness of death into divine sweetness and delight.”

This promise extended for the benefit of whoever practices this daily devotion of the three Hail Marys.

PROMISES OF THE VIRGIN MARY FOR DAILY PRACTITIONERS OF THIS DEVOTION

Our Lady promised Saint Matilda and other pious souls that those who recited the three Hail Marys daily would have her assistance during life and in the time of death. She explained that she would appear at the hour of death in a splendor so extraordinary that it will fill the soul with heavenly consolation and communicate to it the joys of Heaven.

Our Lady renews her promise of protection:

One day, when sister Mary Villana, Dominican sister, was praying the three Hail Marys, she heard from the lips of the Holy Virgin these encouraging words:

“Not only will you obtain whatever it is that you ask me, provided it benefits your soul, but I promise you I will be a special protectress of whoever salutes me with this devotion”

She then added: “I have always been very pleased with the devotion of the three Hail Marys… Never stop saying them and make them known to everyone… You will verify the effectiveness of this devotion every day.”

In one of her apparitions to St. Gertrude, Our Lady told her the following: “Whoever honors me in my relation with the Holy Trinity will experience the Power granted to me by the Omnipotence of the Father as the Mother of God; will admire the resourceful means inspired to me by the wisdom of God the Son for human salvation and behold the fervent charity of my heart granted by the Holy Ghost.”

FOUNDATION OF THIS DEVOTION

The foundation of this devotion is the Catholic belief that the mother of God possesses the God-given attributes of power, wisdom and mercy at the highest level possible for a creature.

That is what the Church teaches when she calls Our Lady: Virgin Most Powerful, Mother of Mercy and Throne of Wisdom.


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Source of information: Blog CATOLICIDAD http://www.catolicidad.com/2010/05/devocion-de-las-tres-aves-marias.html Translated from Spanish by: Fabiola Lozano.

Wednesday, January 13, 2016

APPEAL TO OUR FRIENDS/READERS:



We call upon all those who wish to participate with us in joining together in prayer on the 13th day of each month, for the following intentions:
1) For individual requests as well as spiritual and material needs of each and every reader of CATHOLICITY.

2) To end the process of self-destruction in the Catholic Church.

3) To comply with the petition of Our Lady in Fatima: to ask that the Pope consecrates Russia to her Immaculate Heart (mentioning this nation explicitly in conjunction with the entire Episcopate of the world) and to pray for the conversion of the aforementioned country.

4) In reparation for our sins and for all the offenses Our Lord receives, especially for all the blasphemies uttered and sacrileges perpetrated.

5) For the conversion of sinners, particularly for those most in need of Divine mercy.

6) For increasing the number of priestly vocations and to ask that priests live a life of sanctity, reflecting the life of Christ.

7) For the triumph of the Immaculate Heart of Mary and the implantation of the Social Reign of Our Lord Jesus Christ within our nations.

8) For achieving world peace, but not as the world gives it, but as Christ does. For the triumph of God in each country’s legislation, in particular to that of preserving all human life, including the unborn.

9) For the salvation of our souls, and the souls of relatives, friends and acquaintances.

10) For the needs of the Church.

The following prayers will suffice:

- An Act of Contrition:
  • “O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended you, and I detest all my sins, because of Your just punishments, but most of all because they offend You, my God, who are all-good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve, with the help of Your grace, to sin no more and to avoid the near occasion of sin.”
- One Our Father
- Three Hail Marys, asking Our Lady to preserve us from mortal sin during temptations
- One Glory Be
- The prayer of Our Lady of Fatima:
  • “O my Jesus, forgive us our sins; save us from the fires of Hell; lead all souls into Heaven, especially those who are in most need of thy mercy.”
Conclude reciting the following prayer:
  • Lord, we ask You for the needs of the Church, for the consecration of Russia as requested in Fatima, for the triumph of the Immaculate Heart of Your most sweet Mother, for the implantation of Your Social Reign and Your peace in our nations, for the sanctity of the priests and for the increase of priestly vocations, as well as for the triumph of life and family in our countries’ legislation. We offer you our whole life in reparation for our own sins and for the offenses against your Most Sacred Name and for the grave sacrileges that are committed around the world. Lastly, we place in your hands, through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, all the spiritual and material needs of both ourselves as well as those of our relatives, friends, acquaintances and our fellow readers and staff of CATHOLICITY.
  • - Immaculate Heart of Mary – Keep my family next to your heart.
  • - Immaculate Heart of Mary – Be the salvation of my soul.
  • - Blessed Virgin of Guadalupe – Save our country, preserve our faith and defend us from false shepherds.
  • - St. Michael the Archangel – Defend us against the devil’s schemes.
  • - Saint Pius V – Pray for us.

We make this appeal due to the suggestion of one of our readers. We selected the 13th of every month due to it being the date of the apparitions of Fatima. We conclude with an invocation to St. Pius V (a great holy Pontiff), since he is the patron saint of this blog: due to Providence, though unbeknownst to us, we started this blog (the original, Mexican version) on St Pius V Feast Day.

Every 13th of the month you will be given a reminder to say these prayers through our blog and by email, if subscribed. No doubt, God will bestow abundant graces upon all those who recite these prayers in association with our intentions. In addition, you will benefit from the common prayer of hundreds of people: in these 5 short minutes a month spent in prayer, we will succeed in uniting all readers, friends and staff of this Catholic blog in spirit. Of course, if there is anyone who wishes to pray for these intentions with greater frequency than once a month, they are welcome to. Reciting these prayers more often would be excellent, but it is completely optional.

God bless you.

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Source of information: Blog CATOLICIDAD http://www.catolicidad.com/2011/06/convocatoria-todos-nuestros-amigos.html Translated from Spanish by: Fabiola Lozano.

Tuesday, January 12, 2016

SAINT PAUL’S REBUKE TO THE FIRST POPE IN ANTIOCH


The Pharisees, who had converted to Christianity and were of Jewish origin, argued that the Mosaic Law should be maintained (the Jewish law was a compendium of legal regulations that should not be confused with the Ten Commandments of God’s law, which summarize natural law). The Council of Jerusalem, headed by Saint Peter, determines that all gentiles converted to Christianity should not embrace the prescriptions of the Mosaic Law (however, they do have to adhere to the Commandments of God’s law, as these are of a natural law and were given by God Himself).

The aforementioned can be read in the Acts of the Apostles, chapter 15: “And some coming down from Judea, taught the brethren: That except you be circumcised after the manner of Moses, you cannot be saved.” That is why the Council of Jerusalem took place. “But there arose some of the sect of the Pharisees that believed, saying: They must be circumcised, and be commanded to observe the law of Moses.” But Saint Peter refutes this opinion and determines the opposite with these words: “But by the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, we believe to be saved, in like manner as they also.” In the same sense, James added: “I judge that they, who from among the Gentiles are converted to God, are not to be disquieted.”

As can be noted, the Council of Jerusalem defines that salvation comes from faith in Jesus Christ and not from the practice of the Jewish law that, as we have said earlier, should not be confused with God’s law established in the Ten Commandments, which must be observed to attain eternal salvation, for the Bible itself teaches that “Faith without work is dead” (James, chapter 2) (see note 1). Therefore, good deeds, in accordance with the natural law and summarized by divine revelation in the Ten Commandments, are necessary for Faith to be alive, and thus with the combination of faith and good deeds we can attain eternal salvation. However, the prescriptions of the Jewish Law are not necessary for salvation, as the Pharisees who had converted to Christianity erroneously argued. The first Council of the Church takes a stand against their opinion.

In the same vein of the Council of Jerusalem, Saint Paul says: “For I, through the law, am dead to the law, that I may live to God.” (Ga. 2:19). The Jewish law is a PREPARATION that leads to Jesus Christ, who is the end of the law. Thanks to that same law, we were freed from it by the death of Christ: His merits are applied to us by the Grace, as if we were nailed to the cross with Him and dead to that Jewish law.

Some time later, in Antioch, Saint Peter agrees, only IN PRACTICE, and maybe due to human prudence and in good faith, with the Judaizers (that is to say, those who advocated for keeping the Jewish law). This action contradicted what had been established by the Council of Jerusalem. In practice, he proceeded against the doctrine defined by the Church (included Saint Peter as a Pope).

As doctrine prevails over practice, Saint Paul, who was Saint Peter’s subordinate, withstood him to the face for not following the way and truth of the Gospel. Saint Peter admitted his mistake and agreed with Saint Paul, acting with great humility and accepting that an inferior could not only depart from an erred action of his superior but even rebuke him; that is to refute his error out of love for the truth of the Gospel.

Let us quote the most important things of this event, narrated by Saint Paul himself:
“But when Cephas (Saint Peter) was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed. For before that some came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them who were of the circumcision. And to his dissimulation the rest of the Jews consented, so that Barnabas also was led by them into that dissimulation. But when I saw that they walked not uprightly unto the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas before them all: If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of the Gentiles, and not as the Jews do, how dost thou compel the Gentiles to live as do the Jews? We by nature are Jews, and not of the Gentiles sinners. But knowing that man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ; we also believe in Christ Jesus, that we may be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: because by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified.” (Ga. 2: 11-16)

Saint Paul reminds to Saint Peter that Christians are justified by faith in Jesus Christ and not by acting in accordance with the prescriptions of the Jewish law, as defined by the Council of Jerusalem. It is evident that Saint Paul is talking about the Jewish law (and not about the Ten Commandments). The latter is withheld by some conniving Protestants, who also suppress Saint James’ biblical passage about the necessity of both, good works and faith to be saved, and not only of faith, as it is proposed by the Protestant heresy, which also dishonestly quotes the previous text as though it referred to the Ten Commandments. In this manner, they deceive by suppressing the texts that do not suit them, and interpreting the other ones outside of their historical context. That is why the incident in Antioch must be necessarily related to what was defined by the Council of Jerusalem. What Saint Paul demands is the observance of the doctrine as defined in the mentioned Council.

About this incident, Saint Thomas points out that Saint Paul’s confrontation was in regard to THE EXERCISE and not the authority of the power, and that Saint Peter was reprehensible due to his dissimulation and disordered fear, which led him to abandon the truth and follow the deceit of the faithful. He does not consider the cause of the rebuke to be something minor, but rather fair and convenient. If this had not been done, the knowledge of the truth of the Gospel would have been in danger, and had Gentiles been forced to keep the legal precepts of the Jewish law, this truth would have perished. Saint Thomas also notes that Saint Peter’s dissimulation constituted a danger to everyone and, for that reason, it was convenient for Saint Paul’s rebuke to be public and manifest.

For his part, Saint Augustine observes in his letter to Saint Jerome (letter LXXXII-CXVI-22) the following: “Paul, therefore, as a faithful steward doubtless is to be regarded as approving his fidelity in his writings; for he was a steward of truth, not of falsehood. Therefore, he wrote the truth when he wrote that he had seen Peter walking not uprightly, according to the truth of the gospel, and that he had withstood him to the face because he was compelling the Gentiles to live as the Jews did. And Peter himself received, with the holy and loving humility which became him, the rebuke which Paul, in the interests of truth, and with the boldness of love, administered. Therein Peter left to those that came after him an example, that, if at any time they deviated from the right path, they should not think it beneath them to accept correction from those who were their juniors,— an example more rare, and requiring greater piety, than that which Paul's conduct on the same occasion left us, that those who are younger should have courage even to withstand their seniors if the defense of evangelical truth required it, yet in such a way as to preserve unbroken brotherly love. For while it is better for one to succeed in perfectly keeping the right path, it is a thing much more worthy of admiration and praise to receive admonition meekly, than to admonish a transgressor boldly. On that occasion, therefore, Paul was to be praised for upright courage, Peter was to be praised for holy humility.”

Let us not forget that whenever a Pope, complying with all the requirements necessary, defines a doctrine regarding faith or morals, is indeed infallible. That is why pastoral matters are not infallible, but doctrines that have been defined by the Catholic Church are. If the former contradicts the latter, it should not be followed, as defined doctrine must always prevail.

Doctrine Prevails Over Practice

The main teaching about the incident in Antioch is the following: a doctrine that has been defined (which is the infallible and revealed truth) always prevails over acting against it, even if this was carried out by the most important person of the Church. The doctrine is superior to the practice.

Finally, let us not forget that Saint Paul (inferior to the Pope) confronts Saint Peter (first Pope), but always with due respect and as a SUBORDINATE. The fact that Saint Paul was right did not entitle him to confront without respect the head of the Church. He does it publicly and face to face because Saint Peter’s error was public, but always with respect and acting as his SUBJECT. Moreover, Saint Paul’s rebuke was not to defend a personal opinion of his, but in defense of the truth of the Gospel. In this way, Saint Paul’s example sets a precedent and is always worth following in similar cases.

Written by Oscar Méndez Casanueva

Note 1:
The Word of God teaches that: “FAITH without WORK is dead” (James, chapter 2), and asserts that the devils, that are eternally condemned, “believe and tremble”, for Faith is not enough to be saved, both are necessary; faith and good works are essential for salvation.


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Source of information: Blog CATOLICIDAD http://www.catolicidad.com/2009/07/la-reprension-de-san-pablo-al-primer_10.html Translated from Spanish by: Fabiola Lozano.

Saturday, January 9, 2016

PRAYER TO THE HOLY VIRGIN MARY TO ASK FOR HER PROTECTION AGAINST THE HERESY OF MODERNISM

LET US SAY THIS PRAYER TO OUR MOTHER AND ADVOCATE:

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Source of information: Blog CATOLICIDAD http://www.catolicidad.com/2016/01/oracion-la-santisima-virgen-para-que.html Translated from Spanish by: Fabiola Lozano.

Thursday, January 7, 2016

HOW OUR EPIPHANY IS GOING TO BE LIKE?


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Source of information: Blog CATOLICIDAD http://www.catolicidad.com/2016/01/nuestra-epifaniacomo-sera.html Translated from Spanish by: Fabiola Lozano.

Wednesday, January 6, 2016

LOVE NOT THE WORLD

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Source of information: Blog CATOLICIDAD http://www.catolicidad.com/2016/01/no-ameis-al-mundo.html Translated from Spanish by: Fabiola Lozano.

Tuesday, January 5, 2016

PASTORS WHO “MODERNIZE” THEIR VOICE, WILL NO LONGER BE THE VOICE OF GOD; THEY WILL BECOME A MERE ECHO OF WHAT THE WORLD WANTS TO HEAR

  • GOD DOES NOT CHANGE HIS TEACHINGS NOR SURPRISES WITH DOCTRINES CONTRARY TO HIS IMMUTABLE TRUTH.
  • “JESUS CHRIST, YESTERDAY, AND TO DAY; AND THE SAME FOR EVER.” HEBREWS 13:8
  • “BUT THOUGH WE, OR AN ANGEL FROM HEAVEN, PREACH A GOSPEL TO YOU BESIDES THAT WHICH WE HAVE PREACHED TO YOU, LET HIM BE ANATHEMA.” GALATIANS 1:8

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Source of information: Blog CATOLICIDAD http://www.catolicidad.com/2016/01/los-pastores-que-modernicen-su-voz.html Translated from Spanish by: Fabiola Lozano.