Tradicat

+ JMJ Something that I've noticed is that Modern Catholics use the phrase 'Homily' instead of 'Sermon'. I've often wondered about this difference. Here's what I found Catholic Encyclopedia (1910) Homily: ...Since Origen's time homily has meant, and still means, a commentary, without formal introduction, division, or conclusion, on some part of Sacred Scripture , the aim being to explain the literal, and evolve the spiritual, meaning of the Sacred Text.  ... Wikipedia Sermon: : A sermon is an oration , lecture , or talk by a member of a religious institution or clergy . Sermons address a scriptural, theological, religious, or moral topic, usually expounding on a type of belief, law, or behavior within both past and present contexts. Elements of the sermon often include exposition, exhortation, and practical application.   Catholic Encyclopedia (1910) Sermon: As to preaching at the present day, we can clearly trace the influe...

+ JMJ I was engaged in a lengthy discussion (ok - it was more than a simple heated argument) with a modern Catholic friend. We touched on a number of points and a couple I'd like to bring out some issues that I think could have been explained better or in more detail. This will probably be a long post, so bear with me! Firstly, what is sin?  I know people who state "that's a big sin" for actions that ... well really aren't sinful. So We need to start off with an understanding of what actions are sinful. Sin is nothing else than a morally bad act ( St. Thomas , "De malo", 7:3), an act not in accord with reason informed by the Divine law . God has endowed us with reason and free-will , and a sense of responsibility; He has made us subject to His law , which is known to us by the dictates of conscience , and our acts must conform with these dictates, otherwise we sin ( Romans 14:23 ). ( Catholic Encyclopedia ) The key element is in the ...

+ JMJ Father Girouard has posted a sermon on the fifth anniversary of his little chapel. Now, Bishop Fellay thinks that Rome, on the one hand of the relation, can declare us Catholics and that we can, on the other hand, accept it, and that the relationship only goes one way, from Rome to the Society, and that it only comes one way, and we will remain as we are etc. etc. All the promises: “We will remain as we are, we will not compromise”… But he forgets that a relation goes both ways! If the Pope says: “You are Catholics!”, when you accept this, you recognize also that the New Church is Catholic! A relation always goes both ways! I could go on (and Fr. does go on at some length), but let's make certain we understand how Father has deviated from Catholicity. We already know that the 'conciliar Church' is a movement within the Catholic Church. At least that's what the SSPX believed long before Fr. Girouard ever set foot in Winona to complete his priestly t...

+ JMJ What if a perfect no compromise agreement is still a trap? I have had arguments with 'resistors' who believe that my understanding of St. Thomas' teaching on obedience would lead to subservient obedience. I still don't understand the rationale that leads from what St. Thomas taught to their conclusion. One aspect that is true is that trust is not part of St. Thomas' doctrine (see True Obedience: Mark of a Faithful Catholic ). I believe that is because trust is subjective and if we relied upon our feelings towards our superior, then you undermine authority to its core. How? By making the individual the one who judges whether or not they 'feel' (trust) like obeying at that moment.  There is no respect for the authority of the superior, but respect for the feelings of the inferior. This, my friends, is liberalism. Now, it is possible that Rome could capitulate as I noted earlier in part 2 , with the intention of trapping the ss...

+ JMJ Tradiate and I were discussing Principles and the SSPX - Part 2 and she pointed out that the Pope could solve the situation of the SSPX in under 30 seconds. He simply has to make the following statement: The SSPX is Catholic. All can attend their Masses and receive the Sacraments validly from them. Wow, what a wonderful mess that would make eh? P^3

+ JMJ  Here's a short interview by the new Superior General of the SSPX. I look forward to seeing if the SSPX issues a declaration at the conclusion of the General Chapter. P^3 Courtesy of FSSPX.news (formerly DICI) Transcription of an interview with Fr. Pagliarani, the new Superior General of the SSPX The Blessed Virgin Mary has always been present in the history of the Society of Saint Pius X. Fr. Davide Pagliarani, the newly elected Superior General of the Society of Saint Pius X, kindly accepted to answer the questions asked by FSSPX NEWS in a video interview. Here is the written transcription of his answers. Reverend Superior General, how do you feel after your election ? Let’s say that I had, of course, heard some rumors beforehand. However, I was wondering how much of it was a joke or if there was anything to it at all. So I was waiting until today. I have to admit that even now, I’m not sure how much I realize what happened today...

+ JMJ Now there is a danger in abiding by Catholic Principles, Doctrine, and Dogma. Persons with bad intentions could, in theory, trap you. Why? Because they know what guides your decisions and generally how you will react. So, the danger for the SSPX is in the following scenario: Pope issues a command that Fr. Pagliarani accept a Canonical regularization with no compromises on their part. Pope issues a decree that the SSPX and the rest of the Catholic Church must accept the Teachings of the Second Vatican Council as the SSPX has always stated: Those teachings that are Traditional - Accept (yes there are statements that are completely traditional) Those teachings that are Ambiguous - Accept with the Traditional understanding and in alignment with previous Catholic Teaching Those teachings that Contradict Prior Teaching - Require they be corrected. Pope begins correcting those items under #3. (Despite various persecutions that would follow) Pope issues a decree th...

+ JMJ   Lifesitenews : Pagliarani is considered a conservative in the Society. In a 2011 interview , he made it clear that the SSPX was not prepared to compromise on what it sees as its mission in order to achieve regularization by Rome. “The canonical situation in which the Society presently finds itself is the result of its resistance to the errors that infest the Church,” he said, “consequently the possibility of the Society arriving at a regular canonical situation does not depend on us but on the hierarchy’s acceptance of the contribution that Tradition can make to the restoration of the Church.” “If we do not arrive at some canonical regularization,” Pagliarani continued, “that simply means that the hierarchy is not yet sufficiently convinced of the urgent need for that contribution. In that case we will have to wait a few more years, hoping for an increase in that awareness, which could occur along with and parallel to the acceleration in the process ...

+ JMJ I came across an article by Julian Barkin on Servimus Unum Deum   and thought it would be good to clear up some of the errors.  Of course, I will add some of my own perspective. This act, Lefebvre did, was a violation of the Church`s governing law, Canon Law. This put the four, now three acting bishops in the Society (as +Williamson was expelled in the last few years for anti-Semitic propaganda,) as well as +Lefevbre in excommunication, and the Society made ``irregular.`` Because those bishops` priesthoods were valid as they were ordained prior to the illicit consecrations, by a bishop who was of the same, any priests they do ordain are valid priests, but since done out of disobedience to Holy Mother Church`s Canon Law, and operating outside of bishops' jurisdiction, the priests` Masses are illicit, though the Eucharist is consecrated, and any sacrament done outside of the permission of the Church is null (e.g. Confirmation.) First, as I understand it, the Bi...

+ JMJ I strongly suspect that the FUD weavers are working in full force now that Bishop Fellay is no longer the superior of the SSPX. For example here's a couple of headlines from Rorate: Le Figaro on SSPX election: "Fellay toppled", "Side opposed to deal with Rome now in charge."   ... and figaro's title: Lefebvrists: Bishop Fellay is toppled, Father Davide Pagliarani becomes new Superior-General ... I know that sensationalism sells newspapers, but it still doesn't give them mind reading abilities. I'm also a little disappointed in Rorate's desire to see (I assume) the way the winds are blowing by posting an old interview by Fr. Pagliarani. Meet the New Superior-General of the Society of Saint Pius X: Davide Pagliarani  Let's be clear about something: Very few humans have ever been able to read hearts.   On the side of the 'resistance' we have thoughts such as: What we have is neo-SSPX window dres...

+ JMJ Here's the pattern: Knowledgeable person discovers Traditional Catholicism, They say the 'right' things affirming Traditional Catholic beliefs, Traditional Catholics latch onto this 'Traditional Catholic Personality', 'Traditional Catholic Personality' deviates in some way, Traditional Catholics have a variety of responses to the 'deviation'. Point 5 is where things get interesting in the 'variety' of responses. If the Traditional Catholics don't have a firm basis in their spiritual life and understanding of Catholic Principles - they will be lead by the nose wherever the personality goes. Examples of this are legion in the history of Traditional Catholicism. To name a couple we have: Gerry Matatix, Michael Voris. Gerry Matatix made a rainbow transition from protestant to sedevacantist. Michael Voris made a transition from fallen away Catholic to staunch protector of irrationality. Case in point is his polic...

+ JMJ Everyone follows some collection of core principles.  They are the guides we rely upon in making our various decisions the lead us into various directions. Good principles lead to good directions.  Bad principles have the opposite effect. 30 Years ago, Archbishop Lefebvre made a decision, guided by his principles, to consecrate 4 priests as bishops.  Auxiliary Bishops with no jurisdiction ordained simply to provide priests for the life of the SSPX and sacraments for the faithful who seek out the SSPX as a place of refuge in this crisis. I think that I have happened upon two of the Archbishop's core principles. The Salvation of Souls is the supreme law of the Church ( canon 1752 ). The ends do not justify the means. Let's take a look at how this played out. The Archbishop learned of the crisis in the seminaries as neo-modernism exploded from the shadows. It took some convincing by seminarians, but he eventually determined that it was the right decis...