Not an official translation of DICI text today online

Déclaration du Chapitre général de la Fraternité Saint-Pie X

As announced in the statement of the General House of the Society of St. Pius X, July 14, 2012, members of the General Chapter in Rome sent a joint statement. It is released today.
During the interview in DICI, July 16, Bishop Bernard Fellay, stated that the document was "an opportunity to clarify the roadmap (the Society of St. Pius X) with emphasis on the conservation of (his) identity, only effective way to help the Church to restore Christendom. " "Because, he added, the doctrinal silence is not the answer to this 'silent apostasy' that even John Paul II noted, in 2003. "
At the end of the General Chapter of the Fraternity of Saint Pius X, together with the venerated tomb of its founder Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre, and united with its Superior General, we the participants, bishops, superiors and elders of the Brotherhood, would like to up to heaven our thanksgiving for the most vivid forty-two years of divine protection so wonderful about our work in the middle of a church in crisis and a world away from day to day and God its law.
We express our deep gratitude to all members of this fraternity, priests, brothers, sisters, commercial, religious communities and the dear faithful friends for their daily devotion and fervent prayers on the occasion of this Chapter that has seen frank and fruitful work. All the sacrifices, all the sentences accepted generously certainly helped to overcome the difficulties that the Brotherhood has faced lately. We found our deep union in its core mission: keep and defend the Catholic faith, form good priests and work towards the restoration of Christendom. We have defined and approved conditions for a possible canonical normalization. It was established that in this case, an extraordinary chapter is called deliberative before. But never forget that the sanctification of souls always begins within ourselves. It is the work of a faith enlivened by charity and operative in the words of Saint Paul: "For we have no power against the truth, we have for the truth" (II Cor., XIII, 8) and again: "Christ loved the church and gave Himself for her ... so she is holy and immaculate" (cf. Eph. V, 25 sec.).
The Chapter believes that the first duty of the Brotherhood in the service it intends to make the Church is to continue, with God's help, to profess the Catholic faith in its purity and integrity, with a proportionate determination attacks that same faith continues to suffer today.
Therefore it seems appropriate to reaffirm our faith in the Roman Catholic Church, one Church founded by Our Lord Jesus Christ, without which there is no salvation and no possibility of finding the means leading to it, in its monarchical constitution, intended by our Lord, who made the supreme power of government over the whole Church returns to the pope alone, Christ's vicar on earth in the universal kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ, creator of the natural and supernatural, to which every man and corporation must adhere.
For all the innovations of Vatican II that are flawed and that reforms are coming, the Society can only continue to adhere to the affirmations and constant teaching of the Magisterium of the Church, it is his guide in this continuous Magisterium who, by act of instruction, transmits the deposit revealed in perfect harmony with all that the whole Church has always believed, anywhere.
Also the Brotherhood found his guide in the constant tradition of the Church that transmits and forward until the end of time all the lessons necessary to maintain faith and salvation, until a serious and open debate, a return to the ecclesiastical authorities to Tradition is made possible.
We join with other Christians persecuted in various countries around the world who suffer for the Catholic faith, and very often to martyrdom. Their blood shed in union with the Victim of our altars is the guarantee of renewal of the Church in capite and membris, according to this old adage "martyrum sanguis semen christianorum".
"Finally we turn to the Virgin Mary, also jealous of the privileges of her divine Son, jealous of his glory, his kingdom on earth as in heaven. How many times has intervened to defend, even armed, of Christendom against the enemies of the kingdom of our Lord! We plead to speak today to chase the enemy within who seek to destroy the Church more radically than external enemies. Deign to keep the integrity of faith, love of the Church, in devotion to the Successor of Peter, all members of the Society of St. Pius X and all the priests and faithful who work in same feelings, so it keeps us and preserves us as the schism of heresy.
"May St. Michael the Archangel us his zeal for the glory of God and his strength to fight the demon.
"What St. Pius X could give us his wisdom, his knowledge and holiness to discern right from wrong and good from evil, in these times of confusion and lies. "(Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre, Albano, October 19, 1983).
Ecône, July 14, 2012
Dichiarazione del generale della Capitolo Priestly Fraternity San Pio X
Declaración del Capítulo General of the Priestly Fraternity San Pio X
Grundsatzerklärung Generalkapitels der Priesterbruderschaft of St. Pius X
Society of St. Pius X Chapter General Statement
Read also:
Interview with Bishop Fellay after the General Chapter of the Society of St. Pius X (July 16, 2012)

See also Rorate Caeli and Fr. Z for comments.

Nine post day for me to date. Pray for my computer situation.
 

Déclaration du Chapitre général de la Fraternité Saint-Pie X

Comme l’annonçait le communiqué de la Maison générale de la Fraternité Saint-Pie X, du 14 juillet 2012, les membres du Chapitre général ont adressé à Rome une déclaration commune. Elle est rendue publique aujourd’hui.
Lors de l’entretien paru dans DICI, le 16 juillet, Mgr Bernard Fellay, indiquait que ce document était « l’occasion de préciser la feuille de route (de la Fraternité Saint-Pie X) en insistant sur la conservation de (son) identité, seul moyen efficace pour aider l’Eglise à restaurer la Chrétienté ». « Car, ajoutait-il, le mutisme doctrinal n’est pas la réponse à cette ‘apostasie silencieuse’ que même Jean-Paul II constatait, en 2003. »

A la fin du Chapitre général de la Fraternité Sacerdotale Saint-Pie X, réunis auprès du tombeau de son fondateur vénéré Mgr Marcel Lefebvre, et unis à son Supérieur général, nous les participants, évêques, supérieurs et anciens de cette Fraternité, tenons à faire monter vers le ciel nos actions de grâce les plus vives pour les quarante-deux ans de protection divine si merveilleuse sur notre œuvre au milieu d’une Eglise en pleine crise et d’un monde qui s’éloigne de jour en jour de Dieu et de sa loi.

Nous exprimons notre profonde gratitude à tous les membres de cette Fraternité, prêtres, frères, sœurs, tertiaires, aux communautés religieuses amies ainsi qu’aux chers fidèles pour leur dévouement quotidien et leurs ferventes prières à l’occasion de ce Chapitre qui a connu des échanges francs et un travail très fructueux. Tous les sacrifices, toutes les peines acceptées avec générosité ont certainement contribué à surmonter les difficultés que la Fraternité a rencontrées ces derniers temps. Nous avons retrouvé notre union profonde en sa mission essentielle : garder et défendre la foi catholique, former de bons prêtres et œuvrer à la restauration de la chrétienté. Nous avons défini et approuvé des conditions nécessaires pour une éventuelle normalisation canonique. Il a été établi que, dans ce cas, un chapitre extraordinaire délibératif serait convoqué auparavant. Mais n’oublions jamais que la sanctification des âmes commence toujours en nous-mêmes. Elle est l’œuvre d’une foi vivifiée et opérante par la charité selon la parole de Saint Paul : « Car nous n’avons pas de puissance contre la vérité ; nous n’en avons que pour la vérité » (II Cor., XIII, 8) et encore : « Le Christ a aimé l’Eglise et s’est livré lui-même pour elle… afin qu’elle soit sainte et immaculée » (cf. Eph. V, 25 s.).

Le Chapitre estime que le premier devoir de la Fraternité dans le service qu’elle entend rendre à l’Eglise est celui de continuer, avec l’aide de Dieu, à professer la foi catholique dans toute sa pureté et intégrité, avec une détermination proportionnée aux attaques que cette même foi ne cesse de subir aujourd’hui.

C’est pourquoi il nous semble opportun de réaffirmer notre foi dans l’Eglise catholique et romaine, seule Eglise fondée par Notre Seigneur Jésus-Christ, en dehors de laquelle il n’y a pas de salut ni de possibilité de trouver les moyens qui y mènent ; dans sa constitution monarchique, voulue par Notre Seigneur, qui fait que le pouvoir suprême de gouvernement sur toute l’Eglise revient au pape seul, vicaire du Christ sur terre ; dans la royauté universelle de Notre Seigneur Jésus-Christ, créateur de l’ordre naturel et surnaturel, auquel tout homme et toute société doit se soumettre.

Pour toutes les nouveautés du Concile Vatican II qui restent entachées d’erreurs et pour les réformes qui en sont issues, la Fraternité ne peut que continuer à s’en tenir aux affirmations et enseignements du Magistère constant de l’Eglise ; elle trouve son guide dans ce Magistère ininterrompu qui, par son acte d’enseignement, transmet le dépôt révélé en parfaite harmonie avec tout ce que l’Eglise entière a toujours cru, en tout lieu.

Egalement la Fraternité trouve son guide dans la Tradition constante de l’Eglise qui transmet et transmettra jusqu’à la fin des temps l’ensemble des enseignements nécessaires au maintien de la foi et au salut, en attendant qu’un débat ouvert et sérieux, visant à un retour des autorités ecclésiastiques à la Tradition, soit rendu possible.

Nous nous unissons aux autres chrétiens persécutés dans les différents pays du monde qui souffrent pour la foi catholique, et très souvent jusqu’au martyre. Leur sang versé en union avec la Victime de nos autels est le gage du renouveau de l’Eglise in capite et membris, selon ce vieil adage « sanguis martyrum semen christianorum ».

« Enfin nous nous tournons vers la Vierge Marie, elle aussi jalouse des privilèges de son divin Fils, jalouse de sa gloire, de son Règne sur la terre comme au Ciel. Combien de fois elle est intervenue pour la défense, même armée, de la Chrétienté contre les ennemis du règne de Notre Seigneur ! Nous la supplions d’intervenir aujourd’hui pour chasser les ennemis de l’intérieur qui tentent de détruire l’Eglise plus radicalement que les ennemis de l’extérieur. Qu’elle daigne garder dans l’intégrité de la foi, dans l’amour de l’Eglise, dans la dévotion au successeur de Pierre, tous les membres de la Fraternité Saint-Pie X et tous les prêtres et fidèles qui œuvrent dans les mêmes sentiments, afin qu’elle nous garde et nous préserve tant du schisme que de l’hérésie.

« Que saint Michel archange nous communique son zèle pour la gloire de Dieu et sa force pour combattre le démon.

« Que saint Pie X nous fasse part de sa sagesse, de sa science et de sa sainteté pour discerner le vrai du faux et le bien du mal, dans ces temps de confusion et de mensonge. » (Mgr Marcel Lefebvre, Albano, 19 octobre 1983).

Ecône, le 14 juillet 2012

From the Vatican: apologies, as my computer is now not working

Vatican City,  (VIS) – Early this afternoon, the Holy See Press Office released the following English-language communique concerning the declaration which emerged from the General Chapter of the Priestly Society of St. Pius X.

“The recently concluded General Chapter of the Priestly Society of St. Pius X has addressed a declaration regarding the possibility of a canonical normalisation in the relationship of the Society and the Holy See. While it has been made public, the declaration remains primarily an internal document for study and discussion among the members of the Society.
“The Holy See has taken note of this declaration, but awaits the forthcoming official communication of the Priestly Society as their dialogue with the Pontifical Commission ‘Ecclesia Dei’ continues”.-here  is the link.

Just go to the Vatican Website and click on VIS-there--for news daily.

VIS

If you do not know about this, you should.

Vatican Information Service

Vatican Information Service is currently available in four languages.

CASTELLANO

ENGLISH

FRANÇAIS

ITALIAN

USA; the weak link in foreign diplomacy

The spokesperson for the United States government has not condemned the suicide attack in Syria. Since when does America support suicide attacks?  Someone has lost perspective here. Obama and Putin had discussions which ended up in non-agreement. This administration is an embarrassment on the world stage. And, because of a bland president in foreign policy, we may lose a vote for restrictions of violence in Syria in the UN. The problem is that there is no policy which is consistent. Look at Egypt, Libya, Pakistan...Note:

Defense Secretary Leon Panetta, speaking earlier, said Syria was lurching into dangerous territory and emphasized that Assad's government would be held responsible if it failed to safeguard its chemical weapons sites - a major concern for U.S. and regional security planners.

"This is a situation that is rapidly spinning out of control," Panetta told a Pentagon news conference.

One European national security official, reflecting the intelligence estimate of Washington and its allies, said that while the deadly bomb blast that wiped out key Syrian security officials was a huge setback for Assad, it was not necessarily a death blow.

U.S. officials said they were still assessing reports of the Damascus attack - but did not condemn it outright.

"The United States does not welcome further bloodshed in Syria. We note, however, that these men were key architects of the Assad regime's assault on the Syrian people," State Department spokesman Patrick Ventrell said.

U.S. officials said they did not have any information on Assad's whereabouts, and declined to speculate on who might have been behind the attack.

"I have seen nothing yet that would lead me to believe we have a clear determination of who was behind it. It certainly has all the elements of an al Qaeda-type attack, knowing that al Qaeda has a significant presence there," Rep. Mike Rogers, the Republican chairman of the U.S. House of Representatives intelligence committee, told Reuters.

"When there is confusion in the capital city all of these groups are going to try to take advantage of it."




Check out this article on the problem of chemical weapons falling into the hands of Al Qaeda--http://ca.news.yahoo.com/syria-brink-civil-war-jordanian-king-213636899.html

On Getting Past the Past

In the long discussions on the blog on the single life, I have had several comments from people who had to leave religious communities for one reason or another. I must honestly say the pain and suffering of these people moves me and calls for prayer. However, what is clear is that emotional suffering and psychological suffering interfere with our ability to see God clearly and to see what He is doing in our lives clearly. To be able to love demands that we accept Love. We can only love through Christ, in the Trinity, not of ourselves. But, sometimes, this process takes years. We also have to forgive ourselves for mistakes, failures, sin.

For the child who has never known the love of parents, especially a father, this would take Divine Intervention and grace to overcome.

For an abused person, of any age, forgiveness is necessary for healing.

For a person who has been betrayed and abandoned in marriage, the same--forgiveness and healing.

We see through a glass darkly, states St. Paul, not only because of our own sin, but the sin we endure from others. Some of us have experienced great hurt. Some of us forgave and still forgive, as we are forgiven.

As to having bad experiences in religious communities, I can personally state I understand, having been in a lay community for seven years as a young person, and having experienced rejection and selfishness by authorities in my life at the time.And yet, I regret none of my good decisions, which were made for God and did not involve sin.  Forgiveness is the key to healing. God wastes nothing we have experienced.

If one has tried a vocation and for whatever reason this path has ended up in failure, that is a real cross, again, as I know personally. However, those of us who did that made choices and tried to follow a vocation. We are not in the indecisive, non-committing group, which the statistics in several posts of the past week show, and as we see daily in the lives of lost youth. Being open, following a vocation, having that interrupted, is just plain suffering. That, too, can be a sign of dysfunction in our society. God has a plan.

God bless you all.

But, the Cross of Christ always leads to life, always. Golgotha was not the last word. The Resurrection is.

I repeat the rule that no anonymous commenting will be published, and I also do not publish references to the Church or the Pope which I consider rude or blasphemous. If I feel others would not accept or be able to read a comment calmly, or with love, I do not publish those either. I pray for my readers and commentators. God has a plan for all of us. Be hopeful, have courage.

Whose says martyrs can't be feisty?

Sts. Justa and Rufina Feast Day — July 19

Justa and Rufina were sisters who lived in Seville, Spain about two hundred years after Jesus’ life, death, Resurrection and Ascension into heaven. We believe that they became Christians after hearing missionaries preach about Christ. They were devout members of the Church and tried to live as faithful disciples of Jesus.

The sisters supported themselves by making and selling beautiful clay pots. They always gave some of their earnings to people in need. Like many other merchants, they sold their pottery from booths set up out of doors in the village where people could see them.

People who were celebrating a pagan festival honoring the Roman gods came to the sisters’ booth. They wanted to buy pots to use in their worship services. Justa and Rufina refused, explaining that they were followers of Christ and did not believe in false gods.  The worshippers became angry. They broke all of the Justa’s and Rufina’s pottery, smashing everything to the ground. The sisters responded to this by breaking an image of Venus, one of the pagan gods. They were arrested immediately.

The sisters were brought before the governor. He demanded that they give up their faith. They refused. He ordered the women to be jailed. The governor gave Justa and Rufina one last chance to speak out against Christ . They refused again.

Justa and Rufina died as martyrs for our faith. Their lives teach us what it means to follow the First Commandment: I am the Lord your God. You shall not have other gods besides me.

all from http://rclweb.com/resources/2009/07/19/sts-justa-and-rufina-feast-day-%E2%80%94-july-19/

Olympic disgust three

If you never have lived in a city where there has been an Olympics. count yourself lucky. Londoners are not happy. It is as if one was having a party for mature friends, and then discovered your teen-aged daughter and son invited all their friends to your nice, organized soiree. All of a sudden, there are 300 kids on the patio asking where the pop and computer games are...Also, the rules are getting more and more odd.


Really, can you imagine these early set of games? Here is my take--τὰ Ὀλύμπια 


(Panning out from the Acropolis, an aerial view -heck, this is pretend, right-of a bunch of guys in loin-clothes or nothing on )


(A media girl from the local news center at the well is interviewing the athletes)


(This journalist is named Athena.)


Athena: Here we are in the center of the training grounds for this Olympiad. Let's find out where this young man is from and what his sport is...Hi, what is your name, sir?


Young man: Pericles, but I am not related, you know...


Athena: Sure, what will you be doing here this week?


Pericles: I am not an athlete. You can talk to those guys there, Plato and Ephorus, they will run in the foot race.


Athena: Well, I can't interview them because well, I have an artist here drawing pictures, and you are dressed...you know.


Pericles: Actually, I am a caterer. I set up stalls and sell olives, figs, dried fish, honey cakes, wine, flat breads, cheese, and other things. I even have fresh water in little clay jars with little clay lids-look-for taking into the stadium. They are recyclable. When the water is gone, you just throw them on the ground and stamp on them. 


Athena: But, Pericles, this year no one can take water into the stadium. Security rules. We are expecting troubles from the Goths, I think. 


Pericles: No water jars? Oh, no and I invested so much in these. Well, I still have giant leaves with ice and snow from the mountains here in this special hide carrier so that people can stay cool.


Athena: Pericles, no one can take ice or snow into the arena either. 


Pericles: What about the aulos and specialty Egyptian sistrum types of instruments for making noise to encourage your athletes? I have bags of them made for the tourists to cheer on the home teams. I even went to Egypt and picked some up, but they each have a strange word I can't read on the side.


Athena: I think these characters say "China". No, all those musical instruments will not be allowed, either. Oh dear, you must have missed the announcements posted up on the pillars of the Parthenon.


Pericles: I haven't had time...shucks, I might as well pack all this up and go home.


Athena: I am sorry. Where is home? 


Pericles: Well, I guess I might as well tell you the truth. My real name is Varazdat and I am a boxer. I was intending to make some money on the side before the games started.


Athena: You mean you are the future King of Armenia? Wow! What a scoop for me.


Varazdat: Well, sure. Go ahead and tell people. I am just a little concerned as I hear there may be more wars involving the Romans and the Goths-- and some of my cousins have been banished to a place called Britannia already by the Emperor.  I really do not want to go there.


Athena: Why?


Varazdat: I hear it is called the Nanny State of the North and it rains all the time.


Athens: Well, that is all now from Athens. Maybe I'll just go speak with that guy over there. By the way, good luck with your fisticuffs. 


Varazdat: Ah, thanks. I have a good feel about this competition. I am in great shape and I am the greatest...

Athena: Sure, right, bye.

On the Order of Widows

Anna, the Widow and Prophetess

In Old and New Testament studies among both Catholic and Protestant scholars, a resurgence in the interest of the history of widows has happened. Now, some of the Protestant interpretations, usually, of course, based entirely on Scripture, reveal, as do the Catholic studies, the plight of the widow in the time of Christ. This post is not a history of the widow either in the Old or New Testament, but a discussion of what is sometimes called The Order of Widows.

Starting in the years following the World Wars, there emerged an interest in Europe to acknowledge the needs of widow both physically and spiritually. France seems to be the earliest example of the post-war re-institution of an Order of Widows. According to Elizabeth Rees, in the most complete article I have seen on this, the French Bishop of Paris had a blessing for widows approved by the CDW for a specific group attached to an order of nuns.

There are several groups in America, none of which have the approval of the Vatican at this time. Some live in communities, and some have non-communal affiliations. I do not mention them by name, as these are not approved, and in some cases, somewhat liberal. I would only recommend approved orders at this time.

However, in some European countries, but not in America, a few individual consecrated widows have made private vows to their bishops. These widows do not live in communities.

In the early Church, the Order of Widows may be connected to what is written in 1 Timothy 1-16. The criteria are that the widow must be truly one, of one husband; that she is over 60, (nice, assuming a woman younger may get married again), not gossipy or taken to wine, with an excellent reputation in helping the poor and other members of the Church.

One of the interesting notes is that it is the family who is to take care of the widow if she has one and not the Church. This is specifically stated. Those poor widows without families, of whom we can assume there were many, needed Church protection and funds.

Let a widow be chosen of no less than threescore years of age, who hath been the wife of one husband  Douay Rheims 1 Timothy 5:9

The Widow's Mite

Now, St. Paul uses the word "enrolled" or "chosen", and with the above list of set and clear criteria, the Church has concluded that this was some sort of "Order" with a rule.

That the Vatican has taken such a long time on revising this means that the CDW wants to get it right, clear, and in accordance with Scripture and Tradition.

At this time, for those women who are interested, I suggest you talk first with your spiritual director, then your bishop, and then, possibly write to Rome. If Rome had many letters requesting a renewal of this group, it may happen faster. In the meantime, a widow could make private vows, as least in Europe.

By the way, a widow is not a divorcee and an annulled woman. I did check that out with a priest who is involved with such a group. God bless all widows.

You got to pick a pocket or two-ooo----Olympic disgust two

Anti-Olympic post two--check this out, please. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-18798792

And...

The Mystical Marriage of the Consecrated Virgin

St. Catherine of Siena's Mystical Marriage

To you, young people, I say: if you hear the Lord's call, do not reject it! Dare to become part of the great movements of holiness which renowned saints have launched in their following of Christ. Cultivate the ideals proper to your age, but readily accept God's plan for you if he invites you to seek holiness in the consecrated life. Admire all God's works in the world, but be ready to fix your eyes on the things destined never to pass away.
The Third Millennium awaits the contribution of the faith and creativity of great numbers of young consecrated persons, that the world may be made more peaceful and able to welcome God and, in him, all his sons and daughters. Blessed John Paul II


This quotation is from the Apostolic Letter Vita Consecrata explained below.


I write this for my English friends, and some young people in Malta, who had not heard of the life of the Consecrated Virgin. Starting with this excellent website, I shall merely list a few points on the vocation. Personally, I know two and both woman work for the Church in various capacities. Both are professional women and wonderful lights in the world. I highly suggest that some of the single persons who are women look into this as a possible call from God. The beauty of this life involves several levels of holiness-poverty, celibacy and obedience. One becomes a "sign of contradiction in the world".

Let me start with the Vatican document on the consecrated life. On March 25th, 1996, Blessed John Paul II promulgated the apostolic letter Vita Consecrata. Blessed John Paul II began this letter referring to love and the Mystery of the Transfiguration. His description of the call of virgins to this rule is sublime. One can click on the name and follow the text. Here are a few sections from this beautiful letter:

Consecrated persons, who embrace the evangelical counsels, receive a new and special consecration which, without being sacramental, commits them to making their own — in chastity, poverty and obedience — the way of life practised personally by Jesus and proposed by him to his disciples. Although these different categories are a manifestation of the one mystery of Christ, the lay faithful have as their specific but not exclusive characteristic, activity in the world; the clergy, ministry; consecrated men and women, special conformity to Christ, chaste, poor and obedient.
.....


The Institutes of Consecrated Life, through the profession of the evangelical counsels, must be conscious of their special mission in today's Church, and we must encourage them in that mission".The Fathers of the Ninth Assembly of the Synod of Bishops echoed this conviction: "Throughout the Church's history, consecrated life has been a living presence of the Spirit's work, a kind of privileged milieu for absolute love of God and of neighbour, for witness to the divine plan of gathering all humanity into the civilization of love, the great family of the children of God".The Church has always seen in the profession of the evangelical counsels a special path to holiness. The very expressions used to describe it — the school of the Lord's service, the school of love and holiness, the way or state of perfection — indicate the effectiveness and the wealth of means which are proper to this form of evangelical life, and the particular commitment made by those who embrace it.It is not by chance that there have been so many consecrated persons down the centuries who have left behind eloquent testimonies of holiness and have undertaken particularly generous and demanding works of evangelization and service.
......


Consecrated persons are asked to be true experts of communion and to practise the spirituality of communionas "witnesses and architects of the plan for unity which is the crowning point of human history in God's design".The sense of ecclesial communion, developing into aspirituality of communion, promotes a way of thinking, speaking and acting which enables the Church to grow in depth and extension. The life of communion in fact "becomes a signfor all the world and a compelling force that leads people to faith in Christ ... In this way communion leads to mission, and itself becomes mission"; indeed, "communion begets communion: in essence it is a communion that is missionary". In founders and foundresseswe see a constant and lively sense of the Church, which they manifest by their full participation in all aspects of the Church's life, and in their ready obedience to the Bishops and especially to the Roman Pontiff. Against this background of love towards Holy Church, "the pillar and bulwark of the truth" (1 Tim 3:15), we readily understand the devotion of Saint Francis of Assisi for "the Lord Pope",the daughterly outspokenness of Saint Catherine of Siena towards the one whom she called "sweet Christ on earth",the apostolic obedience and the sentire cum Ecclesia of Saint Ignatius Loyola,and the joyful profession of faith made by Saint Teresa of Avila: "I am a daughter of the Church".We can also understand the deep desire of Saint Theresa of the Child Jesus: "In the heart of the Church, my mother, I will be love".These testimonies are representative of the full ecclesial communion which the Saints, founders and foundresses, have shared in diverse and often difficult times and circumstances. They are examples which consecrated persons need constantly to recall if they are to resist the particularly strong centrifugal and disruptive forces at work today.

.......


The prophetic task of the consecrated life is brought into play by three major challenges addressed to the Church herself: they are the same challenges as ever, posed in new ways, and perhaps more radically, by contemporary society, at least in some parts of the world. These challenges relate directly to the evangelical counsels of chastity, poverty and obedience, impelling the Church, and consecrated persons in particular, to clarify and testify to the profound anthropological significance of the counsels. The decision to follow the counsels, far from involving an impoverishment of truly human values, leads instead to their transformation. The evangelical counsels should not be considered as a denial of the values inherent in sexuality, in the legitimate desire to possess material goods or to make decisions for oneself. Insofar as these inclinations are based on nature, they are good in themselves. Human beings, however, weakened as they are by original sin, run the risk of acting on them in a way which transgresses the moral norms. The profession of chastity, poverty and obedience is a warning not to underestimate the wound of original sin and, while affirming the value of created goods, it relativizes them by pointing to God as the absolute good. Thus, while those who follow the evangelical counsels seek holiness for themselves, they propose, so to speak, a spiritual "therapy" for humanity, because they reject the idolatry of anything created and in a certain way they make visible the living God. The consecrated life, especially in difficult times, is a blessing for human life and for the life of the Church.


Realizing this is a long post already, I would like to add the following from the website above. This list will help clarify the call. This call involves a commitment, and is a vocation. These women do not, obviously, belong to those groups of singles who do not commit themselves to anything. I would read and ponder this lovely detailed examination. I am so happy Blessed John Paul II re-organized this life-style. I hope readers understand that to make a decision for Christ should involve a relationship with the Church in a formal way, as we were not meant to be alone in the world, tossed and turned by circumstances, without focus.


From the Code of Canon Law:
• The virgin is consecrated to God by the diocesan Bishop according to a rite approved by the church. [Catechism of the Catholic Church, 922-924]
• She is betrothed mystically to Christ and dedicated to the service of the church.
• She enters a public state of consecrated life in the Church.
• She lives her life individually, under the direction of the diocesan Bishop.

From the Rite of Consecration to a Life of Virginity:
• The consecrated virgin is constituted a sacred person in the Church. [Introduction, No. 1]
• No particular service or spirituality is imposed; the consecrated virgin's time is spent in works of penance and of mercy, in apostolic activity, and in prayer, in accord with her state of life and spiritual gifts. [No. 2]
• She is strongly advised to recite the Liturgy of the Hours daily, and is committed to praying Morning and Evening Prayer. [No.2]
• Her life is one of perpetual virginity. [No.5]

Secular State:
The consecrated virgin remains in the secular state, providing completely for her own material needs, medical care, and retirement. At no time is the diocese financially responsible for her. [Sr. Sharon Holland, Consecrated Virgins for Today's Church, 1998, as printed in Consecrated Life, Vol. 24, No.2, pp. 257-75]

The consecrated virgin does not wear habit or veil, nor use the title "Sister," nor write "OCV" after her name. She witnesses subtly, but publicly and powerfully, by her virginal life given exclusively to Jesus Christ. Consecrated virgins today wear their ring, but their comportment, modesty in dress, simplicity in lifestyle all betoken their living of the evangelical counsels. [from Archbishop Burke, Questions and Answers in "Preparation Process," USACV Information Packet, revised August 2009]

I was going to post this tomorrow, but some readers wanted to know more about this. God bless you all. Tomorrow I shall write on the Order of Widows, which does not exist at this time, but did. There are some in Europe and the Vatican is working on a Rite.

Catholic Extinction: EU singles and other thoughts: seven

I was looking outside my window on Tuesday, and noticed something very interesting. The stones used to build my dwelling, circa 1880s, are full of fossils. I can see on the outside ledge the fossil remains of sea creatures and sea plants. Most are small, but the details are clear and fascinating. I have found something similar online above. One piece looks like bones, and another is in the shape of a small crustacean. I was thinking of how my dwelling is built with the ruins of another ancient time of ancient creatures which were once alive. Will there be any building of new homes after Catholics disappear in certain areas? I am surrounded in my London area by people from all over the world-and so many of the Catholics are old, beyond child-bearing in my parish. At daily Mass, many of the women I talk to live alone.

This is Europe today-dying, making entire cultures extinct through the lack of marriage, contraception and gay life-styles. Dysfunctional societies die. Unless the Catholics realize and repent, they too will go the way of those small animals and plants on my window-sill.

EU statistics on households are daunting. Here is a summary of 2010-11 statistics.


For single women without children, the shares varied from 9% of all households in Cyprus and 11% in Spain, Malta and Portugal to 23% in Finland, 21% in Germany and Lithuania and 20% in Austria and France. In all Member States, there was a higher proportion of women living alone than of men. 


Now these statistics are households, not actual female single persons who live with each other or at home.


England, I repeat, has 33% of its households led by singles. However, more women than men want to get married. 


Why are America and England so lopsided in these statistics? I find this very interesting. These statistics have nothing to do with the number of admitted Catholics in these countries. Note that Malta, supposedly one of the most Catholic countries in the world, (but those who read this blog know better), has 11% in the single women living alone range. No ages are given.


Catholics may be a majority religion in some of these countries, but the practicing Catholic populations are low.  One can look at France, as an example. Here is a snippet from an article from CNA/EWTN last Autumn.


Paris, France, Sep 17, 2011 / 12:25 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- New research suggests there are now more practising Muslims in France than practising Catholics.

While 64 percent of French people describe themselves as Roman Catholic, only 2.9 percent of the population actually practice the Catholic faith. That compares to 3.8 percent of the population who practice the Muslim faith. The research was carried out by the French Institute of Public Opinion on behalf of the Catholic newspaper La Croix.

More worrying for Islamic authorities in France is the finding that only 41 percent of the country’s 6 million Muslims actually describe themselves as “practising,” although 75 percent are happy to label themselves “believers.” Seventy-percent also claim to observe the Islamic holy month of Ramadan.

Most French Muslims hail from the country’s former colonies in North and sub-Saharan Africa.

There is also further evidence that mosques are being erected at a much faster rate than Catholic churches. Mohammed Moussaoui, President of the Muslim Council of France, last month estimated that 150 new mosques are currently under construction across the country.

By contrast, the Catholic Church in France has built only 20 new churches during the past decade, and has formally closed more than 60 churches. Many of these are now destined to become mosques, according to La Croix.   


Interesting that the word "Eurabia" was first used in in 1975 in France. One culture can easily take over another by such movements of people in an nation or entire continent. Much to think on...

Original posts: http://supertradmum-etheldredasplace.blogspot.co.uk/2012/07/i-do-not-believe-that-being-single-is.html

and

http://supertradmum-etheldredasplace.blogspot.co.uk/2012/07/second-response-to-readers-single-state.html


Also, go back and check out http://supertradmum-etheldredasplace.blogspot.co.uk/2012/06/vocations-lost-blocked-unanswered.html





                 

On the Single Series-Six

For all those who wrote in personal stories of pain and suffering regarding the single state, I shall pray for you all. The feedback has been moving. Someone suggested I would start a Supertradmum courting site. No thanks, anyway. But, many single women of all ages have written to me in the past few days on this subject. Most are in cities. The same has been true of the single men, although less, who have sent notes. Of course, I do not publish the anonymous, or those who ask me not to do so. I also pray for those who have had a vocation, but it has failed, and find themselves alone in the world. Again, mostly women have written of this.

The Church needs to deal with this seriously and quit pretending that loneliness and childlessness is a normal way of life. I challenge priests to rethink the standard teaching of the last fifty years on this subject. Many years ago, I heard an excellent Tridentine Mass priest address the young men in the congregation at Mass. He said quite bluntly that if they were sitting all by themselves and had not considered a vocation to either the married or religious or priestly life, they should to it "now". The priest was being a real pastor.

48% of adult women in the States are single, a 2011 statistic. That is shocking to me. Here is a chart. I really do not believe that men cannot find the woman they want. What do they want? I know what Catholic women want: a protector, dependability, love, children, shared prayer life, shared Catholic Faith, leadership, commitment, security and some brains....and at least some ability to work and move in the big world. We Catholics may simply become an extinct group in some areas. I shall look up statistics for the EU for another post.

Here are two charts from the same site: one can see trends. Interesting that some of the women who have talked to me about these problems are from some of these areas.

Here is a list on cities with the most single men. It would be interesting to know if the Traditional Mass goers in these areas reflect the trends. I would also wonder if some of these places were meccas for gays, thus effecting the statistics from 2009. Women should not go looking for men. They will find the wrong types of they do this. The real Protectors will seek them out, if they are in the right place and if God is in charge.

1. Seattle, WA
2. Denver, CO
3. San Jose, CA
4. San Diego, CA
5. Austin, TX
6. San Francisco, CA
7. Minneapolis, MN
8. Dallas, TX
9. Atlanta, GA
10. Portland, OR
11. Houston, TX
12. Las Vegas, NV
13. Los Angeles, CA
14. Boston, MA
15. Chicago, IL
16. New York, NY
17. Miami, FL

On monasteries, convents and suitable mates....still on the single series

Several questions have arisen from readers on the series on being single. I hope to address some today. Tomorrow I shall post about the Order of Widows and Consecrated Virgins, about which some people in England have expressed to me, they know nothing. I have two acquaintances who are Consecrated Virgins. As to the Order of Widows, last year I heard that at least on bishop in the States wanted to resurrect that old tradition. But, first, let us consider the religious state.

May I add that in a dysfunctional society, there should be MORE vocations to the monastic life, as in Benedict's day, when society was changing so quickly at the Fall of the Roman Empire and the aftermath of that huge upheaval. But, first, let me address some concerns brought up either in comments or in conversations. As a reminder to readers, the official Fall of the Empire dates at 476, and the foundation of Monte Cassino is 529. For example, one man from Spain told me today that young men are not making committments to marriage as there jobs are so insecure. Well, in the past, many of those young men would have followed Benedict or Francis or Dominic. Look how many nobles followed Bernard into Citeaux-30. In times of upheaval, there should be more, not less, religious vocations. The following of a celibate vocation in the Church requires that one views the Kingdom of God as now. Citeaux has only 35 men at this time. It should be full. 


Now, back to 2012 and answering questions or comments.

Firstly, the question of dating. Now, I am an old-fashioned Catholic who firmly believes that one does not date if one is not in the pool of marriageables. Dating should be called "courtship". If one wants to get married and sort out the Predators and the Peter Pans from the Protectors, that should happen in a discernment period. The new marital interviews in the Church before a wedding can help. Men and women should not see dating as "entertainment".

Secondly, the question of who is suitable has come up. For a Catholic, for me, IMO, this means a Catholic, first and foremost. Then, it means a man who can afford a wife and family for a woman, and a woman who is willing to have children and be a stay-at-home mom for a woman. Now, stay-at-home moms can do lots of things. I set-up and ran a Montessori school as a stay-at-home mom, and I taught some RCIA classes. Plus, I was in the church choir. I also home-schooled and helped out in home-schooling-cooperatives. I painted and did all the home decorating.  I blogged, eventually. I have been told I was hyper-active. Life as a stay-at-home mom is great fun and very rewarding.

 I also cooked hot meals daily, entertained my partner's work buddies, students, and priests, and had a great time.

Many years ago, in 1994, I read the great novel A Suitable Boy by Vikram Seth. It was fascinating to finally see the choice of the young lady in her husband. Of course, as the story was set in India, it involved a decision in which the entire family took place. However, the decision was her choice. I shall not spoil the plot for those who have not read it, but let's just say some were surprised. ( I have not read all of the world's longest novels, but some.)

1520 Church Window-note dog on bed-Tobias and  Sarah

Suitable means something I put in the very first blog in this recent series, although I have written about this earlier. The word indicates common interests, common culture, common religion, common goals, common morals. And, if there are no singles in your area, move. I am serious. If you feel called to marriage and can move to a place where there are many Catholic singles, do so. Why not? This is not a new idea.


People of all ages who could not find mates moved in order to do so, even in ancient times. In fact, read the Old Testament stories and you will find that many times the young men had to leave their homes in order to find their God-given mates. This would be an interesting Bible study for some of you. Here is a list of couples who were not from the same area: Isaac and Rebekah, Jacob, Leah and Rachel, Tobias and Sarah, Esther and King Ahasuerus, Ruth and Boaz, Moses and Zipporah, etc.

Thirdly, some singles think the spouse has to be everything to them. No, only God is Everything. Think about that.

This entire discussion has also included the call to the religious life and the priesthood.
As to a religious vocation, too many singles I have talked to have never visited a convent or monastery. How do they know they are called if they do not try? Go, look, see. Please, for the sake of the Kingdom of God. I am so amazed at this. At one time, it was normal for a girl to at least spend some time with sisters or nuns to see what the life was like.

How many times I have been in discussions with singles, talking about religious vocations, only to find out that these delightful people have never visited or stayed in a monastery or convent. One must try and discover one's vocation, if it is not obvious to one. Most orders of women take girls and ladies up to 45. Most orders of men do not have upper age limits.

Lastly, our society has delayed adolescence into the thirties. Fight that horrible trend. Too many people are getting too much unnecessary, unused education. Pray, think, act.

What is missing is love...An open letter to the SSPX

Dear Members of the SSPX,

When I returned to the Church years ago at the age of 22, I had to make a decision, not only about the truth that Christ was God, but that the Church, as unholy as it had been manifested in my life, was the One, True, Holy and Catholic Church.

Now, the first decision was one based on Faith. The second was based on Love. I had grown up having priests and nuns in the family and being very familiar with religious people. The Church seemed to be so imperfect in so many ways, especially growing up in one of the most liberal dioceses in the United States.

So, my decision was not based on some dewy-eyed idea of the seen perfection of the Church, but on the Church as it really was in the world. That bishops were wrong in some areas of doctrine, that some priests were pedophiles, that many lay people were hypocrites using contraceptives and not carrying about the poor, did not make any difference to me anymore. Four people in my family had been abused by a priest for years and years. Nothing mattered as to sin or falsehood. The Church was and is the one institution created by Christ for our salvation. I could no longer be outside this institution. It was no longer a question of me judging, but submitting myself to the authority of the Church. I could not be holier than Rome. I could not be holy without Rome.

I, too, am and was at that time, a great sinner. We say the Church is made up of sinners, and we quote Christ stating that "...They that are well have no need of a physician, but they that are sick. For I came not to call the just, but sinners."  Mark 2:17 Douay Rheims

But, do you, dear members and friends, want to fight the fight with sinners, side-by-side with the Pope, or on the outside? Can you love the Church, which is imperfect, in order for Her to be made perfect? As in marriage, would you die for your Spouse, dear SSPX priests? 


Please come back. For the sake of Love, Who is a Person and needs you.


Supertradmum

"It is a great mystery"--on the single life--four in a series.

Later today, I am getting feedback from two lovely single women here on why they think they have not met Mr. Right. I shall share that as part of this series (not intended to be, but by popular demand ending up so) on the Single Life. Here is the famous quotation from St. Paul on the husband's call to marriage. Remember, men, it is the man who has to ask, not the lady.  Marriage is a great mystery. Is it that our culture can no longer deal with mystery and the adventure of the unknown? Is it that fear has paralyzed action? Is it that young people have not visited convents or monasteries to find out what is possibly a call?

And, when I speak of commitment, of course I mean to anything. The call to the priesthood, as St. Don Bosco noted, is most likely for one out of four men. That leaves a lot of men for other calls.


“Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, 
that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the 
word, that he might present the church to himself in splendor without spot or wrinkle 
or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.  Even so husbands 
should love their wives as their own bodies.  He who loves his wife loves himself.  For no man every hates his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, as Christ does 
the church, because we are members of his body.  ‘For this reason a man shall leave 
his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one.’  This 
is a great mystery, and I mean in reference to Christ and the church; however, let each 
one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her 
husband” (Eph 5:25-33).  

Follow-up Two on Being Single

Many people have responded to the "being single post". I am sorry, but I posted a few days ago that I shall not published anonymous comments anymore. My reasons were given.

As to the post, I must remind all that the statistics for single households reflects an unnatural trend. If one reads carefully the posts, on sees the numbers from a census-type study in Great Britain a few years ago which found one/third of the households led by singles. This is not normal for a society and will not lead to replacement of the population. This and similar trends in America indicate dysfunction in a culture.

I am always writing primarily for those who are discerning, and for many young people. If one is older and has had circumstances in one's life, as I have, which have led one to the single life, I think a person can sort out the difference. I am single and have been living singly since my son left home. However, I do not think this is normal, either, and consider myself one of those who have not been allowed to follow a vocation for several reasons.

In these times, there is a lack of objectivity among writers and readers which is a sad commentary on their inability to think and reflect. This is a result of our education system which has not trained people in logic and critical thinking. If one reacts subjectively and painfully to comments, this may reveal a need for healing and discernment. Those are good and lofty goals, which must be pursued through spiritual directors, confessors, and good, orthodox psychologists. I thank God when He shows me such.

I pray for all but I encourage, especially Gen X and the Millennials, to make commitments to something. Holiness demands relationships. Our own Mother Mary, who gave Life to the world, was placed in a family, which is part of the plan of God and not merely a custom of the culture. She needed protection and so did the Child Christ. God bless all my readers and commentators, even the anonymous ones. Try and come up with post names, please.

Mary Undoer of Knots

I have many friends in difficult situations at this time, especially in their jobs, careers, and movements. For them, especially, I pray today to Mary, Undoer of Knots.

This painting by an unknown artist has become very popular in recent years, when so many Catholics experience complicated relationships and events in their daily lives. Life is not simple and Mary, Undoer of Knots, speaks to the corporate heart of our generation. Mary, Virgin, Undoer of Knots, pray for us.

Hot-house-plant-kids

Years ago, maybe 25 years ago, I coined a phrase, "hot-house-plant-kids" when describing children raised in the past 20 years in America and Great Britain. I am not opening up this discussion to Asians, please, as that is not the context of this post. This is about my experiences in the West.

The generation after me of parents, the Gen X and now Millennials, treated their kids like rare orchids, living in a culture of fear and over-protectiveness. This causes children to lack confidence in their real abilities and be grounded in their limitations.

I knew several families where the kids never walked even a mile or less to school in rural towns, which are still safe as Eden.

Part of the problem was the idea that kids had and have to do EVERYTHING. I am of the opinion that two extra-curricular activities are enough.

But not, little Carole or little Nicholas has to be taking an instrument, swimming lessons, ballet or baseball, and soccer or hockey.

Well, that meant that the kids spent a lot of time in cars and parents became chauffeurs.

Maybe I was mean, but my kid walked to swimming and was only in two extra-curriculars at a time. He took the electric train in Calgary all by himself at twelve. I did not want him to be afraid of new things and learn to cope with basic things, such as transportation. Now, I recognize that Calgary in 2000 is not Chicago in 2012. But, how do we train our children to be persons who can think and cope with real situations which are basically safe?

This was and is because I believe in both independence and PLAY. Independence creates confidence and the ability to think in terms of common sense. And hasn't common sense disappeared? Because kids are not allowed to do nonconstructive things or to figure out how to do something new and different, they cannot think out normal, everyday problems. They lack instincts.

Play is non-constructed creative time, using material hopefully simple and natural.

Boxes, string, marshmallows, pipe cleaners, paint, clay, etc.

I am against the "hot-house-plant" type of parenting.

Let kids be kids.

New Post Policy--Repeat for those who missed this...

Because of some issues, I shall no longer post comments which are Anonymous. The vast majority of commentators use a name or a pseudonym. If there is more than one Anonymous on a post, I think that is confusing to all who want to read the comments and make sense of follow-ups. Also, the title "Anonymous" has been picked up by both hacktivist, anarchist groups and occupier groups, which some will not want to identify with anyway....