What can we do???

JMJ

So for those with eyes to see the Catholic Church is in a crisis of Faith and it began at the top (Paul VI???) and will end at the top (Pope ?????? the ??).

The question is what can / should we do? I am of course thinking primarily of the Laity, but my thinking also applies to the professed.

What I see as a high probability is that Rome will finally drop the mantra sometime in the next 3 to 5 years.

Whether it is under Pope Francis the Last or some other Pontiff doesn't really matter.

I see it as inevitable as God is Just, that eventually the conditions will be ripe for the heresy to burn itself out and the rebuilding to begin.

The question that we need to think about now, as Traditional Catholics, is how to receive the refugees from the Church (I'm optimistic that we will see Trad Mass centres swell by 10-15%) and minimize the trauma and cultural influence that they will have on the established communities.

This is not a simple thing.

Culturally, those Catholics who will seek refuge in the SSPX and other Traditionalist communities, will have a mix of cultural elements, some aligned with Traditionalism, some that are not.

It is unavoidable that a Modern Catholic will have absorbed a number of the protestant factors that permeate the atmosphere within the 'mainstream' Church.

It is also unavoidable that some Traditional Catholics will have acquired habits and biases that are a result of having been persecuted for 40+ years.

When these two cultures are thrown together there is going to be a reaction.

For example ...

Most Modern Catholics will find the Traditional Mass, Communion on the Tongue and Kneeling, long periods of silence, uncomfortably different.

Traditional Catholics, especially the veterans, will be uncomfortable with the manner of dress of the refugees, their hair, ... basically any externals.

These are called Artifacts.

Artifact express values and values underlying assumptions. As mentioned earlier, if an assumption is transgressed, as it is an element of the subconscious, the it will evoke an emotional response. The more firmly established an assumption, generally the stronger an emotional response.

As a result of years of persecution, in my experience, Traditionalist Catholics generally have a stronger set of assumptions than Modern Catholics. Hence the burden will rest upon the Trads to practice patience and forbearance.

It will take time for the newcomers to adjust, in some cases it will take as long as a year for the Traditional Catholic environment to help them to adjust.

What can we do?

First, be a friend and help them understand why some things are the way they are - and if you don't know find out.

The first thing will be the modes of dress and this is more stunning for the ladies than the men.

I believe the second will be norms of behaviour during Mass etc.

Lastly, be truly charitable, grateful for what you've received and generous in sharing it.

P^3

Comments

The Curious Case of Steve Skojec and the Dangers of Deep Diving into the Crisis Sub-Titled: The Failings of Others

+ JMJ It's been a while now since Steve Skojec sold 1P5 and abandoned the Catholic Faith. I've been a 'Trad' since 1982 and in those 40+ years I seen this death-spiral before with a similar end point. It seems that anyone who jumps into the fray unprepared for the enormous task of righting wrongs will, eventually, become discouraged by not the task but the people who surround them. I remember when Skojec complained of the treatment his family received from a traditional priest. This seems to have been the start of the end for him. So what can we learn from the likes of Steve Skojec, Michael Voris (maybe?), Louie Verrecchio, Gerry Matatix and other celebrity Catholics? Probably quite a lot about what not to do. First, don't burn out on the crisis? When you burn out, on work or anything else, little things assume a more greater importance than they are due. This is one of my 'canary in the coal mine' signals that I've been stretching myself too th...

Communique about Avrille Dominicans - SSPX.org

+ JMJ Having completed the review of the 'Avrille' perspective, this communique from the French District Superior is perfectly timed. I believe that the 'resistance' has lost rationality and further argumentation simply results in their holding on to their false ideal all the more firmly. Pray much ... First, for them to acquiesce to the grace of humility in order to obtain a clear perspective on the principles involved. Second, that we may remain faithful to the Church, and Her Dogmas, Doctrines and Principles. Lest we become that which against we strove ... P^3 Courtesy of SSPX.org

Morning and Evening and other sundry Prayers

+ JMJ Along the theme of P^3 (Prayer, Penance, Patience), and for my own reference ... here is a collection of Morning and Evening prayers from the Ideal Daily Missal along with some additional prayers. In this crisis of the Church, I do not think it is possible to do too much prayer, penance and have patience. P^3

Tradical Commentary on: Restore DC Catholicism: SSPX And Austrilian Bishops - Two Different Errors

+ JMJ An interesting thing has happened on the discussion that prompted my article on whether it is sinful to attend the Novus Ordo Missae . The blog owner of RDCC has shut down discussion by locking the article. That is their prerogative, but I am puzzled as to why? Perhaps it has something to do with some of the latter comments. They didn't believe the teaching on intention with regards to confecting the Sacraments. This is not the first time I've experienced incredulity on this topic ( reference articles ). Really this isn't about what they believe but the truth. They seem to believe that the objections to the Novus Ordo Missae are simply about "overly delicate sensibilities". In response to this I am reblogging a number of articles by the SSPX. Perhaps it was the comment made by Bishop Schneider, a currently well revered hero (who deserved the accolades) but apparently has said something similar to the SSPX. I suspect that it is more...

A Reply to Martin Blackshaw’s FLAWED Remnant article titled: FLAWED: SSPX Advice on Abortion-tainted Vaccines

+ JMJ An article has appeared in the Remnant (link to article) and I am afraid that there are a number of flaws in it that need to be addressed. The author, Martin Blackshaw, believes that both the Church and the SSPX are misapplying the principle of Moral Theology called 'Cooperation In Evil'. Unfortunately, Mr. Blackshaw rests most of his arguments on citing authors that support his position, without considering the possibility that they are wrong. This highlights a key factor in this crisis: ignorance of the faith and its application . I don't am not singling out Mr. Blackshaw for this criticism, I have observed that it applies to laity and religious, superior and subject a like. No one seems immune in this enduring crisis, myself included. I further believe that this ignorance is why so many Catholics, both traditional and non, rely on their gut feeling or "Catholic conscience" for charting their way through this crisis of the faith. While...

Tradicat

Search This Blog