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Showing posts from April, 2013

Thin Edge of the Wedge - Part C1 Devotion to the Immaculate Heart - The First Saturday Devotions

I went to schola practice today and afterwards stayed for Mass. I have to admit that it is a great opportunity to attend Mass without the responsibilities and necessary distractions of singing in the schola and choir.  Of course, not having my little children present also reduced the distraction level. I picked up one of my families missals and opened it to some of the Holy card bookmarks. Here is what I found immediately following the First Friday Devotions:

Thin Edge of the Wedge - Part A1 Devotion to the Sacred Heart

I went to schola practice today and afterwards stayed for Mass. I have to admit that it is a great opportunity to attend Mass without the responsibilities and necessary distractions of singing in the schola and choir.  Of course, not having my little children present also reduced the distraction level. I picked up one of my families missals and opened it to some of the Holy card bookmarks. Here is what I found: Devotions for First Friday

Heresy: Plain and Not So Simple III

This is the third article on the Heresy theme. Previous articles can be found  here  and  here. In my discussions / arguments with 'Modern' Catholics and Sedevacantists I have noticed another reaffirmation that Virtue is the pinnacle between two vices - or - in this case error.  In the extreme cases on the Modern side there are affirmations that those who aren't in the Church are, and on the Sedevacantist side there are affirmations that those who are in the Church aren't.

De Fide Teachings of the Catholic Church (Updated)

+ JMJ  Update: I was reviewing Ott's work directly and noted that some of the Teachings are De Fide while others are different levels of authority (such as Sent Certa etc).  So please refer to Ott for the actual classification). Posts Listing the Dogmas of the Catholic Church Dogmas of the Catholic Faith (de fide) - Expanded Listing: Answer for Reader (Oct 2022) Updated List of Teachings of the Catholic Church (Oct 2021) *** Dogmas of the Catholic Faith (Oct 2015) De Fide teaching of the Catholic Church (Apr 2013)           *** Latest version  

Confirmation Bias

In some online debates I have encountered what appear to be a number of different cognitive biases. The latest is the confirmation bias in which people favour evidence that supports their assertions while ignoring or suppressing evidence that undermines their position.

Deathbed Conversion

I read this post on Mundabor's blog  and thought immediately that it would be a good reminder (mostly for myself) about the Catholic truth that, while we know many are lost, we do not know for certain who.

Twelve Steps Up the Mountain of Pride

Msgr. Charles Pope had this article on his blog . One will note how the 12 steps grow far more serious as we go along  and and lead ultimately to the slavery of sin. The steps tend to build on one another, beginning in the mind, moving to behavior, and then to deepening attitudes of presumption and ultimately bringing forth revolt and slavery. For if one does not serve God, he will serve Satan.

The Apostles Creed: I BELIEVE IN THE HOLY CATHOLIC CHURCH; THE COMMUNION OF SAINTS

What is a Catholic to do? I have observed that there is some confusion in the minds of Catholics (Traditional and otherwise) about the nature of the Church, its visibility, membership, communion etc. This confusion is brought on by the witnessing of scandalous behaviour by priests, religious (brothers / nuns), bishops, and even popes. This behaviour leads some Traditional Catholics to believe that the Catholic Church only exists within their ranks as a sub-element within the visible Church. On some Catholics it has the opposite effect: they seem to believe that the Catholic Church extends beyond the visible Church. Neither are correct. When confusion such as this reigns, it is critical to return to what the Church has clearly taught in an authoritative manner concerning the Church.

Profession of Faith Theological Commission - 1961

Currently, I am reading 'The Second Vatican Council - An Unwritten Story' by Prof. Roberto de Mattei.  I am finding it fascinating and strangely easier to read than 'The Rhine Flows Into The Tiber". One thing that struck me was the profession of faith that was developed, approved by the Pope and Cardinal Ottaviani, but rejected as being too defensive by the Central Commission. I have reproduced the sections of the "Formula nova professionis fidei" found in Prof. Mattei's book. I believe, as it is a completely orthodox profession of faith, it provides an excellent touchstone for identifying the errors that have coursed through the veins of the Church for years even before the Council.

Members of the Church Militant

In this crisis of the Church it is quite easy to be scandalized by the statements and antics of many Churchmen. Some go so far in their musings to believe that the past Popes from John XXIII onwards were not really Pope.  The reasons given are legion and it is important to keep in mind a few things. The Catholic Church is One, Holy, Roman and Apostolic The Church is indefectable The Pope is strongly linked to the visibility of the Church To provide a little more context, I reproduce below an excerpt from the Roman Catechism (aka The Catechism of the Council of Trent). The Members Of The Church Militant The Church militant is composed of two classes of persons, the good and the bad, both professing the same faith and partaking of the same Sacraments, yet differing in their manner of life and morality.