SUBLIME PRAYER OF SAINT GERMANY OF CONSTANTINOPLE (635-733) IN PRAISE OF THE MOST BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

“Hail, O you who, moved with compassion upon seeing the terrible nakedness to which we were reduced in the Garden of Eden by the pernicious fruit that brought death to our souls, covered us with a wondrous mantle; a mantle not woven by human hands, but given to us by God himself; you who, when we were mired in the mud of iniquity, were given to us as the remission of sins, O Holy Spouse of the Almighty!”

“Hail, O you who, moved with compassion upon seeing the terrible nakedness to which we were reduced in the Garden of Eden by the pernicious fruit that killed our souls, covered us with a wondrous mantle; a mantle not woven by human hands, but given to us by God himself; you who, when we were mired in the mud of iniquity, were given to us as the remission of our ...  Hail, O you who, with your resolute steps, trample underfoot that tyrant who dragged us into transgression to our harm, that treacherous counselor, that enemy of all good, that deceitful serpent called the Devil, and take, as if by the hand, our corruptible nature, ever ready to fall, to lead it, in your company, to the spiritual Sanctuary and the divine Tabernacle that never grows old.

Hail, O you who caused the radiance of a day of joy and gladness to spring forth upon the heads of those who were chained in the darkness of death, in the abyss of sickness, and upon whom you promised to dispel, by the Power of God, that baleful darkness, O Mary, more sublime than all miracles.

Hail, O you who pour down upon us the divine dew of understanding, O bright Cloud who raised on our horizon, shrouded in the shadows of death, the brightest of all suns!  O fountain that, having its source in heaven, forms those swift rivers of the knowledge of God, which sweep away in their course, through the clear and pure waters of orthodox faith, the mire of heresy!

Hail, O divine Paradise, O Abode of Wisdom, O Garden full of charms, planted by the Hand of the Almighty, where the Forest of Life flourishes to impart the science of truth and grant immortality to those who taste it!

Hail, O Sacred Building, O immaculate and spotless Palace of the great King, of God Himself, O you who have been clothed in His Majesty and have called all humankind to receive within you a holy hospitality, where they may rejoice in the mysteries of faith from their very beginning!

Hail, O New Zion, O Holy Jerusalem, O august City of the great King, in whose towers God is clearly known, and through whose midst He passes without shaking or harming it, while He moves nations and makes kings fall at Your feet to pay homage to Your Glory!

Hail, O fruitful and shaded Mountain, where the Lamb who blotted out our sins and healed our diseases was nourished, and from which, without the aid of human hands, the small stone was cast that toppled the altars of idols, and by a wondrous miracle, became the cornerstone!

Hail, O Holy Throne of God, O Sacred Treasure, O resplendent and glorious House, O Venerable Tabernacle, O Chosen Vessel that God reserved for His use, O Merciful Place of the whole universe, O Heaven that recounts the glory of the Most High, O miraculous East from which rises a star that knows no setting, whose point of origin is Heaven, and which offers its warmth to all, that is, the channel of Providence!

Hail Mary, full of grace, holier than the saints, higher than the Heavens, more glorious than the cherubim, more worthy of honor than the seraphim, more venerable than all creatures!

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A marvelous prayer that is also a clear hymn to the Co-redemption and Mediation of Mary Most Holy. To be prayed daily in reparation to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

THE MYSTERIES OF PRAYER

 

A prayer should be uttered with profound awareness of each word. The reasons for this lie not only in the fact that otherwise it would be irreverent toward the One to whom it is addressed, but also in what follows. True prayer, the true message of prayer, consists not only in the words themselves, but primarily in the attitude of the heart, in that which, from the heart, draws us toward God.

If a prayer is uttered with deep awareness, lived deeply, you could consider it as if "receptors" were opened in the soul: channels that make the soul receptive to the power of God. The soul truly perceives the meaning hidden behind the words spoken. With this, a desire for fulfillment is born in the soul, a desire to bring the spoken words to life, and the soul reacts like a flower yearning for sunlight: it opens completely.

For this reason, the soul that prays deeply and consciously can begin to feel united with God.  In it, everything is a yearning for the heavenly, and divine light pours forth completely into that soul. This effect will never be experienced by a soul that prays quickly and without feeling, mechanically or automatically.

This phenomenon also explains why a soul called to it can experience states of true ecstasy during meditative and contemplative prayer: The soul's desires can become so identical with God's desires that the soul flows completely into Us, and thus begins to partake of the perfect peace of heart that is characteristic of the heart of God.

Peace of heart is fundamentally characterized by the flow of God's will into the soul. To attain this peace, the soul must, as a first step, desire unity with God (and with His Blessed Mother) and strive to let go of all worldly perceptions. For this reason, the soul must know how to empty itself in order to arrive at fruitful prayer.

This circumstance is also the reason why holy souls receive certain impressive answers to their prayers, whether directed to God or to the Blessed Virgin. They know how to synchronize themselves so completely with the heart of God and with the heart of the Mother that both can cause torrents of grace to flow into those souls without any impediment.

We might be tempted to buy food because it comes in a can with a particularly attractive label. However, we might ask ourselves: Does the contents of the can taste better (or is its nutritional value greater) because the label is more attractive?

Essentially, it is an offense to God when the soul speaks to Him with empty words. Empty words are those in which the heart is not truly involved. It is not the words of our lips, but the feelings of our heart that express our desire to come into contact with God.  If our hearts are empty of yearning love, our kind words will seem more like an attempt to deceive God regarding our love for Him.

However, we cannot muster the same fervor in prayer every day, but what truly matters is the desire and, in any case, the effort to genuinely penetrate the heart of God.

Modernist Cardinal Fernández Backs Down in the Face of Massive Protests and Allows the Faithful to Continue Using the Term Co-Redemptrix as a Title for the Blessed Virgin

Faced with the wave of protests and disagreements that arose worldwide over his document against titles of the Blessed Virgin Mary that he considered could be confusing despite being true, Cardinal Fernández "Tucho" clarifies that the use of the expression "Co-Redemptrix" has not been censored in any way in the private devotion of Catholics. The restrictions in Mater Populi Fidelis on calling Mary Co-Redemptrix apply exclusively to official Church documents and do not extend to acts of piety, spiritual writings, or the private devotion of Catholics, etc.

In other words, we can all continue using the title as we always have, and since it was clear that the faithful would continue to do so anyway, the Cardinal came forward to "permit" it.

A direct quote from the Cardinal: "If you, along with your group of friends, believe you understand the true meaning of this expression (Co-Redemptrix) [...], and you wish to express it precisely in this way within your prayer group or among friends, YOU MAY USE THE TITLE."

According to the Cardinal, the document sought theological precision, not to prohibit personal devotion. Therefore, it continues to be permitted, as it is an expression used for centuries by saints and popes and is true.

As we explained in a previous post: "It is absurd to silence (in practice suppress) a doctrine when what is needed is to explain and disseminate it, as should be done with all others. Otherwise, under the same pretext (that they could be misunderstood), all other truths would also have to be silenced (in practice suppressed). Everything suggests that what Cardinal "Tucho" actually intends is, under "ecumenical" pretexts, to eliminate that doctrine which is TOO CATHOLIC for Protestants (and also for modernists like himself)."

In reality, it seems that the new "clarification" is a necessary step backward due to the protests and discontent expressed by the faithful, with the hope—in the Cardinal—that Modernism will take two steps forward in the future, according to the old strategy of the fifth columnists.

Photo: Diane Montagna.

IT IS ABSURD TO REMAIN SILENT ABOUT A DOCTRINE WHEN WHAT IS NEEDED IS TO EXPLAIN AND DISSEMINATE IT.

Saint John Henry Newman, recently proclaimed a Doctor of the Church by His Holiness Pope Leo XIV, defended the title of Co-Redemptrix before an Anglican prelate who had refused to recognize it. He declared:

“When you were found with the Fathers calling her Mother of God, Second Eve, Mother of all the living, Mother of Life, Morning Star, Mystical New Heaven, Scepter of Orthodoxy, Immaculate Mother of Holiness, and similar titles, they would have considered it poor compensation for such language if you protested against her being called Co-Redemptrix.”

The term Co-Redemptrix, which in itself denotes a simple cooperation in the Redemption of Jesus Christ, has carried for several centuries, both in theological language and in the teaching of the ordinary Magisterium, the specific meaning of a secondary and dependent COOPERATION.  Then, it suffices to teach this secondary and dependent nature of Mary's role in said cooperation. It is absurd to silence (in practice suppress) a doctrine when what is needed is to explain and disseminate it, as should be done with all others. Otherwise, under the same pretext (that they might be misunderstood), it would be necessary to silence (in practice suppress) all other truths as well.

Everything suggests that what Cardinal "Tucho" actually intends is to eliminate that doctrine which is TOO CATHOLIC for Protestants (and for modernists like himself). Fortunately, the majority of the faithful, guided by their sense of faith, have rejected this imposition contrary to the honor of the Blessed Virgin, although there will undoubtedly be some naive souls who, in good faith, fall into the trap.

WHAT GOD HAS JOINED TOGETHER, LET NO MAN SEPARATE.

 

MIGHT RESISTANCE TO AUTHORITY BE NECESSARY?

Saint Paul and Saint Peter

The Pope, generally, must always be obeyed. When he speaks infallibly, defining ex cathedra, his teachings must be believed with divine faith to remain Catholic. However, when speaking as a private, non-infallible doctor, he might hold a doctrinal error, or he might occasionally err by commanding something contrary to Church Tradition. In such cases, obedience ceases to be obligatory, and resistance might even be necessary, since Sacred Scripture establishes that God must be obeyed rather than men.

As we know, one of the most renowned Doctors of the Church is Saint Catherine of Siena, who corrected the Pope, as we will see later.

Saint Bruno, Bishop of Segni, opposed Pope Paschal II, who had yielded to Emperor Henry V on the Investiture Controversy, and wrote to him: "I esteem you as my Father and Lord (...) I must love you; but I must love even more Him who created you and me (...) I do not praise the pact (signed by the Pope), so horrendous, so violent, made with such treachery, and so contrary to all piety and religion."

At the provincial synod of 1112, with the attendance and approval of Saint Hugh of Grenoble and Saint Godfrey of Amiens, a letter was sent to Paschal II, which reads: "If, as we absolutely do not believe, you choose another path and refuse to confirm the decisions of our paternity, may God help us, for in doing so you will be turning us away from your obedience."

Saint Norbert of Magdeburg, founder of the Premonstratensian Canons, faced with the danger that Pope Innocent II would yield to Emperor Lothair III during the investiture ceremony, said: “Father, what are you going to do? To whom will you hand over the sheep that God has entrusted to you, at the risk of seeing them devoured? You have received a free Church. Are you going to reduce it to slavery? The See of Peter demands the conduct of Peter. I have promised, by Christ, obedience to Peter and to you. But if you grant this request, I will oppose you before the whole Church.”

Vitoria, the great Dominican theologian of the 16th century, wrote: “If the Pope, with his orders and his actions, destroys the Church, he can be resisted and the execution of his commands prevented.”

Suárez states: "If (the Pope) were to issue an order contrary to good morals, he should not be obeyed; if he were to attempt to do something manifestly opposed to justice and the common good, it would be lawful to resist him; if he were to attack by force, he could be repelled by force" ("De Fide").

Saint Thomas Aquinas, Doctor of the Church, expressed: "When there is imminent danger to the faith, prelates must be challenged, even publicly, by their subjects. Thus, Saint Paul, who was a subject of Saint Peter, challenged him publicly."  Galatians 2:14

As we know, one of the most renowned Doctors of the Church is Saint Catherine of Siena. She rebuked the Pope: "Father, what are you going to do? To whom are you handing over the sheep that God has entrusted to you, at the risk of seeing them devoured? You have received a free Church. Are you going to reduce it to slavery? The Chair of Peter demands the conduct of Peter. I have promised, through Christ, obedience to Peter and to you. But if you grant this request, I will oppose you before the whole Church."

José Antonio Ortega: “THE ACCEPTANCE AND NORMALIZATION OF SIN IS INTOLERABLE IN THE CHURCH”

A video has recently gone viral in which a young man from Seville confronts a Dominican priest, calling him a traitor, while he was presiding over a Mass for the LGBTQ+ community at the Church of Santa María la Real in Seville. We contacted the young man, who reflected on the incident.

Could you briefly describe the circumstances surrounding the events?

The association “ICHTYS,” which organizes events, workshops, and “welcoming” Masses for the LGBTQ+ community, held a Mass on November 15th at the Church of Santa María la Real. This same church, just a week earlier, denied funeral rites to young victims of communist and socialist terrorism, which is against the Code of Canon Law.

A group of disaffected young people from the Orate group approached the church to see exactly what the event was about (it wasn't very clear whether it was a Mass, a talk, etc.). Indeed, confirming our suspicions, it was an event welcoming the LGBTQ+ community, but not with the intention of enlightening them with the light of Christ and his Gospel, nor of converting them. Rather, it was clearly intended to perpetuate their sin and allow them to continue living in it proudly.

Upon discovering it was a Mass, the young people planned to take action at the end. However, given the numerous liturgical abuses and the farcical spectacle we were witnessing, during the Prayer of the Faithful, when parishioners could share (with the priest's approval) personal petitions (each more lengthy and heretical than the last), I decided to intervene, seizing the opportunity to rebuke the priest for his disloyalty to both Christ and his ministry.  Of course, we couldn't endure that disgrace for another second, and that's why we decided to act immediately (not waiting until the end of Mass) and then leave the church.

Why did you so strongly denounce the LGBT advocacy coming from some sectors of the Church?

The acceptance and normalization of sin is intolerable in the Church. Would anyone imagine an altar draped with a flag supporting abortion? Frankly, as soon as I learned that this event or Mass was going to take place, I didn't hesitate for a second about my intentions. I believe that the LGBT infiltration and the spread of gender ideology, consequences of an increasingly modernist Church, is one of the main problems we face today, and it must be addressed immediately. We only have to look at Northern Europe and see the German bishops.

Spain, “hammer of heretics, cradle of Saint Ignatius, light of Trent…”, that same Spain, that same Spanish Church cannot be allowed to prostitute itself or sell itself to the world and worldliness for thirty pieces of silver.

Why is it essential that Catholics react to the whitewashing of sin?

Christ, given the opportunity, did not hesitate for a second to proclaim the Truth, to take up the whip and use it in the Temple against all the Jews who entered it. This is the attitude that every Catholic should have in the face of these shameful acts and barbarities. If anyone thinks that in these cases dialogue and peaceful, democratic resolution are the way to go… they have chosen the wrong religion. Our religion is defended with the sword and a Rosary in hand, not with the “hippie” Catholicism that modernists want to sell us.

The apostles had the same attitude, who, despite being persecuted and threatened with death by the Jews, continued preaching the Gospel regardless of the consequences.

We have a legion of saints and martyrs behind us who impassively observe our actions. We must rise to the occasion, and let me be clear, that cannot be achieved with lukewarmness and foolishness.

Did you expect such a reaction to your complaint and for the video to go viral?

I expected it to appear in some newspapers and go viral on social media, but certainly not that it would be on the news, that major television channels would contact me to appear live (which, of course, we refuse to do), and that it would make headlines in dozens of renowned national newspapers.

Have you received many expressions of support?

Many: hundreds and thousands of expressions of support both online and in person. Expressions of support from friends, acquaintances, and parishioners and priests from all over the world who simply saw the video and contacted me to congratulate me.  These expressions of support fill me with hope and make me think that some resistance still remains within the Church… now all that remains is for decisive action to be taken, and if possible, for it not to be the laity who have to teach sound doctrine to priests and bishops.

On the other hand, have you endured insults and threats?

Just like with praise, I've also received hundreds and thousands of insults, threats, social and media pressure, etc. As you can imagine, I couldn't care less what these people say, especially because: 1) they're wrong; 2) they haven't set foot in a church since their First Communion.

Would you like to add or clarify anything?

I encourage all readers, especially younger ones, to take a step and actively collaborate with groups like Orate that defend Hispanic and Church Tradition. I also encourage you to take the step and actively participate in the patriotic organization you deem most appropriate. What will you tell your children when they ask you what you were doing while Spain, Europe, and the Church were rotting away?

By Javier Navascués

Source: InfoCatólica