Tradicat

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:

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

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.

+ 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  

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.

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.

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.

Having given us a view of the way to abandon humility and increase our pride, Msgr. Pope has posted  St. Bernard of Clairvaux's steps to descend from the pinnacle of pride to the valley of humiliy.

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.

Membership of the Church In the Fundamentals of Catholic Dogma, there is an excellent review of the Church Teaching providing more insight as to who is 'inside' and 'outside' the membership of the Church.  source

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.

This article, while only a draft, provides some excellent food for thought.  I have reproduced it here just in case the repository where I found it goes off line. source DRAFT OF AN ARTICLE FOR CHRIST TO THE WORLD MAGAZINE: ROME, ITALY Some Considerations on Holy Communion in the Hand

The Blessed Eucharist - Separating the Catholics from Protestants like the Men from the Boys Catholic Doctrine The middle of the wedge, the part that does the work of splitting the wood. It is very apropos that the reception of the Holy Eucharist is really the great divide between Catholics and Protestants.

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.