Again on private revelations. Does it matter what Mary wore as a child?

I am exceeding my postings and setting a record because of the computer problem. Seize the day--I am a teacher at heart and my heart is troubled again by the number of older adult, ignorant Catholics I have met recently.

I am concerned.

I am writing again, as I have many times on this blog, on private revelations. I am very concerned about the fact of the current preoccupation with such.

Many, many people I have met from GB, Ireland, and other European countries, have never read the Catechism of the Catholic Church. They do not even know the Compendium exists, but they run after and pay for books on private revelations like chasing after fads. Private revelation has become an industry of book selling, dvds, speakers and other items.

This is dangerous and deceitful. If one is not grounded in one's Faith as an adult, how can one discern what is true and what is false? Someone said to me yesterday that she is reading a mystic approved by Cardinal Ratzinger. I was pleased. But that same person has never read the CCC and has poor grounding in the encyclicals, the Liturgy, and the Bible.

That private revelations become a preoccupation for many is a serious problem in the Catholic Church. Private revelations will not save us. The sacramental life of the Church and the Teaching Magisterium's decrees form the rock, the solid basis for our Faith.

The root of the problem exists in pride. I am sorry to say this, but those who run after private revelations want to be part of a small group of special people who seem to be holier than others.

Those who follow the mainstream teachings of the Church cannot be seen as "sincere" or "holy".

Wrong. Faith and Reason are the pillars of our own personal way to God. If a private revelation is approved, it should not be the center of our Faith.

Look at how much time you personally give to private revelations. If it is more time than reading the Scriptures, encyclicals or the CCC, something is wrong.

Not all who follow private revelations are holy and not all are "mystics".

The path of private revelations is strewn with many dangers, none the least, self-deception. One area of self-deception is the pursuit of experience, rather than reason, and the emphasis on emotions, rather than doctrine. I know people who follow private revelations daily who disagree with the Church's teaching on civil unions, contraception, marriage, and who do not understand most sacramental theology. They are not interested in reading the real deal....I even had two women tell me recently that they prefer this mystic to another, and they disagreed, because of how these people described what Mary wore as a child. This is ridiculous and time-consuming. These same people may not be able to tell you what the dogmas concerning Mary really state, nor the long Tradition of Marian devotion which is based on the Scriptures and the Fathers of the Church. Mystics are not infallible, even with approval from a bishop or Rome. Only the Pope, in dictating on issues of Faith and Morals is infallible.

Go back to the basics, be humble, pray, learn, read, discern.

http://www.wiarairozum.org/home.asp for photo

One does not need private revelations. One needs the true teaching of the Catholic Church

PS A commentator gave me this information on the Compendium--on sale at CTS-check out the website at this link.
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For those who persist in thinking Malta is Catholic

I have been writing since January to tell Catholics that Malta is not a Catholic country. Just search this blog for references, including the very low birthrate, indicating a contraceptive culture. Also, look at my open letters to the Knights of Malta, who have done nothing to preserve real Catholicism, nor the TLM in Malta.

Yesterday, in Sliema, the Gay Pride Parade took place. How the great have fallen, and what a sad day for civilization. The Times of Malta online reported this, and some of my friends told me yesterday.


Among those who are attending is Justice Minister Chris Said, MPs from both sides and the US Ambassador with her family. Ambassador Gina Abercombie-Winstanley is wearing rainbow colours. She said she wished to show solidarity with all sectors of Maltese society.

A placard reads 'Minister how long do we have to wait' - a reference to civil partnerships. A Cohabitation Bill, is expected to be presented to parliament next week by Dr Said.

The MGRM said the theme of Pride Week -  'I am'-  is meant to remind everyone that LGBT individuals are part of society - just people, everywhere, living their lives and being themselves.

Not only that, but the week is Gay Pride Week in the country, with other events scheduled. I find the slogan blasphemous as well, as there is only one "I am" and that is Almighty God, as revealed by Moses and Christ Himself.

Our Lady of Carafa, pray for us all.

Crown Prince and Father in Liechtenstein Under Threat

Because the Princes of Liechtenstein, Prince Hans Adam, and his son, Crown Prince and Regent Alois, are loyal Catholics and want to veto abortion, the Princes are under threat of  being pushed out by the liberals. It is a horribly mean situation. Those liberals who are no longer Catholic want to reduce their powers. In the country, the people are divided over the issue of abortion and the issue of a monarchy. That the Crown Prince is also one of the key figures in the business and banking industries may make a difference, as he could pull up stakes and move his tents elsewhere, causing severe economic difficulties for the tiny country, which is reliant on tourists and banking interests. 

Sad day, that the oldest, most Catholic monarchs are under siege for The Faith. Pray for these brave men. The media in England is, weirdly, against the monarchy as well. Anti-Catholicism is the last acceptable prejudice, even in England.

What I find most horrible is the linking of abortion, the murder of babies, to democracy. What a travesty.

I shall have many posts today because of the insecurity of my computer situation. I am at one right now.

Update: Voters upheld monarchy. Here is link and a bit. Praise God.

The people of Liechtenstein have overwhelmingly rejected a proposal to curtail the political power of the royal family.

Despite an almost year-long pro-democracy campaign, 76% of those voting in Sunday's referendum said Crown Prince Alois should be allowed to retain his power of veto over decisions made in nationwide ballots.

Crown Prince Alois, who now carries out public duties in place of his father, Prince Hans Adam, has an unusual amount of power for a western European monarch in the 21st century. His powers were even extended, with the approval of the people, in 2003.

Christ's Birthplace Is Now a Political Football

The Church in Bethlehem, the Church of the Nativity, which is the site of Christ's Birth, is an endangered site. UNESCO has claimed it as such and the Palestinians have openly stated this as a victory. If one wants to understand the mindset of the people who really want to take over the area, just read this. There is controversy about this new status.

"We are ecstatic," Palestinian spokeswoman Hanan Ashrawi said of Friday's 13-6 by UNESCO's World Heritage Committee, meeting in St. Petersburg, Russia.

The Palestinians had argued that the shrine faces imminent danger, both because of overdue repairs and Israel's continued occupation of the West Bank.

Israel and the U.S. strongly opposed the emergency bid, arguing that the church is not under threat, a position backed by a U.N. experts committee....The U.S. ambassador to UNESCO, David Killion, said Washington was "profoundly disappointed" by the vote. The U.S. has been trying to block the Palestinian recognition campaign, and withdrew tens of millions of dollars in funding from UNESCO after the Paris-based agency accepted the Palestinians as a state member last year.

Joining UNESCO was part of a wider Palestinian attempt to win global recognition for a state of Palestine in the territories Israel occupied in 1967.

The Catholic Churches in the Holy Land are being used as political footballs. The Vatican has a yearly collection for the churches and holy sites in Israel, but unless Americans come to the fore, some of these will either fall into political hands, and even disappear. The Holy Land has been ignored and because of Muslim violence, Bethlehem has seen a huge exodus of Christians in the past ten years, as families cannot live in peace. I talked with some young men from the area two years ago in Missouri, who were visiting, and they said the situation was deteriorating. But, they had hope, the hope from Christ, whose own birthplace is being used for propaganda.

Reminder: Second Day of Novena for the SSPX

We invite the faithful, religious and clergy to join the members of the SSPX in a novena to the Holy Ghost from June 30 to July 8. The novena will consist of praying the Veni Creator Spiritus with the addition of 2 invocations:

• Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us. (3 times)
• St. Pius X, pray for us."

Newman on Being a Gentleman--worth repeating

The Definition of a Gentleman

by Cardinal Newman, from The Idea of a University, a series of lectures given in Ireland, 1852.

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Hence it is that it is almost a definition of a gentleman to say that he is one who never inflicts pain. This description is both refined and, as far as it goes, accurate. He is mainly occupied in merely removing the obstacles which hinder the free and unembarrassed action of those about him; and he concurs with their movements rather than takes the initiative himself. His benefits may be considered as parallel to what are called comforts or conveniences in arrangements of a personal nature; like an easy chair or a good fire, which do their part in dispelling cold and fatigue, though nature provides both means of rest and animal heat without them. The true gentleman in like manner carefully avoids whatever may cause a jar or a jolt in the minds of those with whom he is cast --- all clashing of opinion, or collision of feeling, all restraint, or suspicion, or gloom, or resentment; his great concern being to make every one at his ease and at home. He has his eyes on all his company; he is tender towards the bashful, gentle towards the distant, and merciful towards the absurd; he can recollect to whom he is speaking; he guards against unseasonable allusions, or topics which may irritate; he is seldom prominent in conversation, and never wearisome. He makes light of favors while he does them, and seems to be receiving when he is conferring. He never speaks of himself except when compelled, never defends himself by a mere retort; he has no ears for slander or gossip, is scrupulous in imputing motives to those who interfere with him, and interprets everything for the best. He is never mean or little in his disputes, never takes unfair advantage, never mistakes personalities or sharp saying for arguments, or insinuates evil which he dare not say out. From a long-sighted prudence, he observes the maxim of the ancient sage, that we should ever conduct ourselves towards our enemy as if he were one day to be our friend. He has too much good sense to be affronted at insults, he is too well employed to remember injuries, and too indolent to bear malice. He is patient, forbearing, and resigned, on philosophical principles; he submits to pain, because it is inevitable, to bereavement, because it is irreparable, and to death, because it is his destiny.If he engages in controversy of any kind, his disciplined intellect preserves him from the blundering discourtesy of better, perhaps, but less educated minds; who, like blunt weapons, tear and hack instead of cutting clean, who mistake the point in argument, waste their strength on trifles, misconceive their adversary, and leave the question more involved than they find it. He may be right or wrong in his opinion, but he is too clear-headed to be unjust; he is as simple as he is forcible, and as brief as he is decisive. Nowhere shall we find greater candor, consideration, indulgence: he throws himself into the minds of his opponents, he accounts for their mistakes. He knows the weakness of human reason as well as its strength, its province and its limits.
If he be an unbeliever, he will be too profound and large-minded to ridicule religion or to act against it; he is too wise to be a dogmatist or fanatic in his infidelity. He respects piety and devotion; he even supports institutions as venerable, beautiful, or useful, to which he does not assent; he honors the ministers of religion, and it contents him to decline its mysteries without assailing or denouncing them. He is a friend of religious toleration, and that, not only because his philosophy has taught him to look on all forms of faith with an impartial eye, but also from the gentleness and effeminacy of feeling, which is the attendant on civilization.

On the poor and social engineering--What will happen in America-the insiders and the outsiders of society...

I worry about the Catholic Church in America becoming too middle class. I worry about the Church in Britain becoming too socialistic. When Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta came to Manchester in England, (remember Malcolm Muggeridge who made her known to the secular world was from Manchester), she caused a stir and hurt some of the British feelings. She stated that the most horrible poverty she had ever seen, worse than Calcutta, was in Britain, specifically in Manchester.

Her comment was based on the fact that she correctly discerned that the real poverty of life was not merely not having basic necessities, but the isolation of the poor. In India, the poor are not isolated. There is a community among the poor. The trouble with the British experience of poverty is that people who are poor are isolated by others, as if they have a disease, as if poverty is catching, like the measles. The middle class judges the poor to be evil or at least, serious sinners, and the rich do not even see them. The poor are invisible to most of the rich.

Blessed Mother Teresa's keen spiritual eye showed her that the real sadness of poverty lies in the way other people view and treat the poor. And, in a socialist state, it is worse, as people just let the State to do things for people instead of taking charge. People are not seen as brothers and sisters in Christ, but numbers, statistics, problems. I have seen the huge difference in the mentality of the British over the years. The War Generation knew how to do things and get things done.They are dying out.  Now, people are ignorant of how to do things, lack common sense, and are passive, on the whole. How sad, but this is a result of  "social engineering".

One example of social engineering is the lack of doctors in England who will take private patients, even those who want to pay.

If Americans want a national health system, this is what will happen-you will not be seen. You will not get your needed prescriptions. People have no idea how to deal without the system. They do not see that they are trapped.

But, what is worse than all the rigmarole, is the lack of understanding on the part of the people that they have been made into sheep and are kept that way. So many adults will not know what it is to be an adult and take charge of one's life, making the State into God. This is serious.

The State is not God. That we are to rely on God is the reality of us being children of God, but if we exchange that status for being slaves of a state, God help us indeed.

What has this to do with the poor? Those without connections or communications are doomed to loneliness and anxiety, as well as frustration. The suffering of the outsiders is what Blessed Mother Theresa saw clearly. After all these years, the civilized world, and the Christian world, has failed to be the brothers and sisters in Christ He has called us all to be. Brothers and sisters mean family, not "cases".

One cannot enter into the New Evangelization without getting down and dirty in life. I know poor people right now who only eat once a day and are ill. One lives next to middle class people who ignore him. The middle class man on one side told the poor person recently that he were going to have a party, so as to not have him be in the way. The poor man should have been invited. He suffered the oversight. But, he knows he is marginalized. And, he used to be wealthier, but had bad luck in the financial world. He is divorced. He has no family. No one cares. This is the evil of the middle class, who cannot see how they marginalize those who they think are not their equals. It is amazing this man is not doing drugs or on alcoholic. He tries to rely on God.

One English woman told me that she does not even know the people in her neighborhood. She does not know any of them, and she has lived in her house for 12 years. Why? She is alone and those around her could care less. She is very lonely, and does what she can to go out, but as a poor person, she is limited.

Another woman I know, who is alone, does not have anyone to help her with basic necessities, and she is injured and needs help with the shopping. She is in pain all the time. There are young people around her that who do not even care about her. When I talk to people about these things, I am met with blank stares. I do what I can in my limited way. But, the socialist state has won...it has taken the heart away--out of individuals.

I know another single man who needs a stove. He practically sits in Church next to another single man who has all kinds of room in his house, but will not let this man rent a room, so that he can cook at home instead of eat out. The single man with the very large house does not want anyone around. I do not understand. The man without the stove is invisible to the man with the house and rooms.

We need more teachings on the Beatitudes here in England. All of these women, and all of the men, who are suffering loneliness and marginalization, are Catholics and go to Church, but they are invisible. I see them, as I have the eyes of the poor. One more story.

I lived in Walsingham for awhile and there was a pilgrim who came on foot. He had money for a room, and sometimes a room with breakfast, but he did not have money for other things, or food more than once a day. I noticed him in Church. I gave him food. I talked to him. He was highly intelligent and going on to Europe. He was charming and humble. Other people told me they were afraid. Of what? We live in a fear culture.

After three weeks, when I had an extra pair of sunglasses which I gave him, he said to me that I was the only person in Walsingham that actually talked to him during that time. In the heart of Blessed Mary, Our Mother's house, he was ignored. He was not dangerous, but he was not rich, and outside the system. He is a person. He could be a saint. He could be one who will pray for me to get to heaven. I hope so. I am sure my travelling friend would be seen by the saint of Calcutta.  Blessed Mother Theresa talked of such as these. Socialism has killed the heart of Catholics, and does so wherever it thrives. The New Evangelization needs a heart.