Christ Carrying the Cross Painting by El Greco

For all the outrages committed against the Blessed Sacrament and for the Open rebellion against the will of the Sovereign Pontiff. Let us pray.

O, Sacred Heart of Jesus, animated with a desire to repair the outrages unceasingly offered to Thee, we prostrate before Thy throne of mercy, and in the name of all mankind, pledge our love and fidelity to Thee. The more Thy mysteries are blasphemed, the more firmly we shall believe them, O Sacred Heart of Jesus! The more impiety endeavors to extinguish our hope of immortality, the more we shall trust in Thy Heart, sole Hope of mankind! The more hearts resist Thy Divine attractions, the more we shall love Thee, O infinitely amiable Heart of Jesus! The more unbelief attacks Thy Divinity, the more humbly and profoundly we shall adore It, O Divine Heart of Jesus! The more Thy holy laws are transgressed and ignored, the more we shall delight to observe them, O most holy Heart of Jesus! The more Thy Sacraments are despised and abandoned, the more frequently we shall receive them with love and reverence, O most generous Heart of Jesus! The more the imitation of Thy virtues is neglected and forgotten, the more we shall endeavor to practice them, O Heart, model of every virtue! The more the devil labors to destroy souls, the more we shall be inflamed with desire to save them, O Heart of Jesus, zealous Lover of souls! The more sin and impurity destroy the image of God in man, the more we shall try by purity of life to be a living temple of the Holy Spirit, O Heart of Jesus! The more Thy Holy Church is despised, the more we shall endeavor to be her faithful children, O Sweet Heart of Jesus! The more Thy Vicar on earth is persecuted, the more will we honor him as the infallible head of Thy Holy Church, show our fidelity and pray for him, O kingly Heart of Jesus! O Sacred Heart, through Thy powerful grace, may we become Thy apostles in the midst of a corrupted world, and be Thy crown in the kingdom of Heaven. Amen

From Ulster taig

Press Release from the Superior General of the Priestly Society of St. Pius X

At the request of the Holy See, we have decided that the ordinations to the subdiaconate scheduled to take place in Zaitzkofen in Germany, on the upcoming Saturday, March 28, will be performed at the seminary of Econe on the same date.

This decision is intended as a gesture of appeasement after the lifting of the unjust condemnations borne by the bishops of the Society and the violent reactions which ensued. As a matter of fact, we regret that certain bishops took advantage of it to launch an open rebellion against the Sovereign Pontiff. We are especially disgusted by the attitude of the German bishops who never ceased to display a hostility devoid of any charity toward us, and continually attributed the worst intentions to whatever we did, treating us with hatred, without misgiving or restraint” as the Holy Father rightly pointed out in his letter of March 10.

We know that, in the Church’s eyes, and with regard to the law of the Church, our situation is imperfect. This is nothing new and is closely bound to the crisis which the Church is undergoing and from which the state of necessity stems. Hence, it is useless to invoke the law in an attempt to stifle the life of our priestly society The other ordinations will take place as scheduled; there never was a question of their suppression. Indeed, the benevolent act of the Holy See cannot be interpreted as a desire to asphyxiate the Society of St. Pius X.

We hold fast to the plan indicated in the decree of this past January 21, which foresees “requisite discussions” concerning the Second Vatican Council and its novelties. We reiterate to the Holy Father the assurance of our prayers so that from these doctrinal discussions may come forth the full light of complete Truth.

Menzingen, March 24, 2009
+Bernard Fellay

PASSION SUNDAY

PASSION SUNDAY
Epistle – Hebrews 9:11-15
Gospel – John 8:46-59

The Thorns on His head…
The brow soak with sweat and blood …
The Nails…
The burial cloth …
The Stairs …
The Cross…

Reflection:

O dolorous Mother, what pain and sufferings has afflicted your heart as you see the fulfillment of Simeon’s prophecy. The dagger of sorrow has sunk in your heart. Lead us by your inspiration to imitate you as we contemplate the beginning of the passion of your Son, Our Lord Jesus. Let this pain sank in our soul – the sorrow and contrition for our sins. “Mea culpa, mea culpa, mea maxima culpa…..”

O Lord you have purchased us by your perfect love offering to God. An offering that is a propitiation for our sins. As we celebrate the Eucharist this Passion Sunday may we share in the reality of your sacrifice on Calvary so that we may hold on to your promise – “If any man keep my word, he shall not see death forever…”

Pope Benedict : "Do not yield to the law of the Strongest...Allow the wings of reason and faith uphold you".

Message of PP Benedict XVI to Angolans, Arrival Speech at Luanda Airport

"Dear Angolans, your land is abundant and your nation is mighty. Make use of these advantages to build peace and understanding between peoples, based upon loyalty and equality that can promote for Africa the peaceful future in solidarity that everyone longs for and to which everyone is entitled. To this end, I ask you: do not yield to the law of the strongest! God has enabled human beings to fly, over and above their natural tendencies, on the wings of reason and faith. If you let these wings bear you aloft, you will easily recognize your neighbour as a brother or sister, born with the same fundamental human rights. Unfortunately, within the borders of Angola, there are still many poor people demanding that their rights be respected. The multitude of Angolans who live below the threshold of absolute poverty must not be forgotten. Do not disappoint their expectations!" [zenit.org]

4th SUNDAY IN LENT: THE EUCHARIST AS MANIFESTATION OF CHRIST COMPASSION AND MERCY

Reflection on the 4th Sunday in Lent
Epistle: Galatians 4:22-31
Gospel: John 6:1-15

St. Thomas Aquinas, the angelic doctor has defended the Transubstantiation Doctrine

In the gospel we read how Jesus fed the multitude with loaves and fishes. Christ as the good shephered has demonstrated his love for the flock by providing them with their needs. How often and how many times we misinterpret the goodness of God and treat it in a worldly manner. Yes, God wishes to fill our bodily needs, but it goes beyond filling the needs of our bodies. Thus let us listen to God, and understand that he is interested not only in our bodies, but most of all the Spirit wich he seeks to save and cost him his Son Jesus on the cross.

The Partiarchate of Moscow Supports Pope Benedict statement on the Use of Condoms

A ZENIT.ORG reports: "The Russian Orthodox Church is supporting Benedict XVI's position that condoms are not an acceptable solution to AIDS. A message on the French official Web site of the Church stated, "The Patriarchate of Moscow is in solidarity with Pope Benedict XVI's position on the means in the fight against AIDS, and on the fact that condoms cannot be considered as a remedy against this sickness."

Pope Benedict is Correct.....

I would opine that the Holy Father has said it right when he said [regarding the AIDS pandemic]:

"The solution can only be found in a double commitment: first, a humanization of sexuality, that is, a spiritual and human renewal that brings with it a new way of behaving with one another; and second, a true friendship, also and above all for those who suffer, the willingness -- even with sacrifice and self-denial -- to be with the suffering. And these are the factors that help and that lead to visible progress."

More of this can be read at zenit.org

The Holy Father once again has given a brilliant analysis of the situation. People in the world may think this as absurd, but for Christians living the gospel teaching of Jesus Christ can never contradict this statement of the Pope. I wonder how the secular media will treat Jesus if they hear him speak about the indissolubility of marriage while spouses are still alive, the sinfulness of divorce, the evils of sexual promiscuity, and his teachings on purity. Perhaps they would crucify him a new. Pope Benedict XVI true to his calling is echoing the teachings of Christ as reflected in the gospel. I don't think that the Lord Jesus would prescribed the use of condom to stem the spread of sexually transmitted disease. I rather would think that Jesus would offer the same solution as offered by the Pope and by the Church. If Christians would practice the teachings of the Gospel on human sexuality, on virtue and chastity, I think everything will be fine.

Lets support our Holy Father and pray for his ministry.

The Role of the Roman Pontiff is summarized below and this shows us that what the Pope has consistently taught is simply a reechoing of the gospel and the affirmation of tradition. So let us support our Holy Father at this times when the faith is threatened by irreligious ideas.

"The Roman Pontiff - like all the faithful - is subject to the Word of God, to the Catholic faith, and is the guarantor of the Church's obedience; in this sense he is servus servorum Dei. He does not make arbitrary decisions, but is spokesman for the will of the Lord, who speaks to man in the Scriptures lived and interpreted by Tradition; in other words, the episkope of the primacy has limits set by divine law and by the Church's divine, inviolable constitution found in Revelation.33 The Successor of Peter is the rock which guarantees a rigorous fidelity to the Word of God against arbitrariness and conformism: hence the martyrological nature of his primacy."

More of this can be read from EWTN Library

Solemnity of St. Joseph - March 19, 2009

Solemnity of St. Joseph, Husband of Mary

Christ in the House of his Parents, by John Everett Millais.

Almighty Father, we thank you for giving us St. Joseph as the chaste spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary and foster father of Our Lord Jesus Christ, will it O Lord that by his example and prayers we may attain and obtain what has been promised by Jesus. Amen.

Saint Joseph. Pray for us.

The Indispensable Role of the Ministerial Priesthood in the Celebration of the Christian Mysteries

The Vatican has release a News Item that announces Pope Benedict's Plan to declare a year for priests. Here are some excerpts:

Priestly Ministry as indispensable:

"The centrality of Christ leads to a correct valuation of priestly ministry, without which there would be no Eucharist, no mission, not even the Church. It is necessary then, to ensure that 'new structures' or pastoral organisations are not planned for a time in which it will be possible to 'do without' ordained ministry, on the basis of an erroneous interpretation of the promotion of the laity, because this would lay the foundations for a further dilution in priestly ministry, and any supposed 'solutions' would, in fact, dramatically coincide with the real causes of the problems currently affecting the ministry".

The Priesthood's Formation as Formation for Tradition:

Benedict XVI stressed the need to "have care for the formation of candidates to the priesthood", a formation that must maintain "communion with unbroken ecclesial Tradition, without pausing or being tempted by discontinuity. In this context, it is important to encourage priests, especially the young generations, to a correct reading of the texts of Vatican Council II, interpreted in the light of all the Church's doctrinal inheritance".

READ MORE AT VATICAN PRESS RELEASE.....

Our Recollection at the SOLT Regionalate in Putiao, Pilar, Sorsogon, Philippines

In my earlier post I shared with you some of the photos we had when we went on a one-day retreat at the Regionalate of the Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity at Putiao, Pilar, Sorsogon, the Philippines. May I share some more photos. Enjoy.....

A view of the Headquarters of the SOLT, this is the administrative building of the Society in the Asian Region of the SOLT

The receiving area of the Headquarters displays the portrait of the Our Lady. On the Left Side are the Photos of Pope Benedict XVI. On the right is the picture of Rev. Fr. Ogie Rosalinas, the General Priest Servant, now residing at the SOLT Mother House in Rome.

My students, regestering for the Recollection

A Holy Mass in the Ordinary Form of the Roman Rite was celebrated by Rev. Fr. Fausto Malanyaon, SOLT our retreat master

The well-maintained yard of the headquarters.

The Bungalow housing the SOLT Sisters and Laity

The Students With their noon time activity

The social hall

Paved road in the Compound of the Headquarters

Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity (SOLT)

Here is a brochure from the SOLT Vocation Director. I am posting it here just in case some of our young men and women would consider the religious life, to serve the poor and the underprivileged and to serve in far flung mission areas, to see the face of Christ by living the life of Poverty, Obedience and Chastity.

A Refreshing Visit to a Religious Center

Last March 9, 2009, I and my students went to the regional headquarters of the Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity to provide them with one day recollection. Fr. Malanyaon, SOLT was the retreat master together with the SOLT Novices. Let me show some of my photos. More about the SOCIETY OF OUR LADY OF THE MOST HOLY TRINITY CAN BE READ FROM THEIR WEB SITE.

The Regional Headquarters of the Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity, Putiao, Pilar, Sorsogon, the Philippines

The Regional headquarters houses the different offices of the Society's Ministry in Asia. The Regional Priest Servant also has his office in this Complex built in the middle of an orchard in the hills of Putiao

The orchard with a cell site tower looming behind

My students at the waiting area

Another view of the orchard

I parked my car in an establishment nearby because the road going to the Society's Headquarters was steep and there were deep cleavages on the dirt road, I was fearful that my car wont make it to the top of the hill where the headquarters are located.

The dirt road leading to the hills where the Headquarters are. The potholes and protruding stones are not visible on the picture but vehicles designed for city-driving may not make it here. But for Jeeps and wagons this road is okay nonetheless. I simply don't want to take chances since the dirt road is narrow and the the hillsides are steep. But we decided to take a walk, it was a pleasant walk anyways.

The Tropical Sun at its Best

In the Philippines one of the signs that Lent is around is the blazing heat of the tropical sun. March and April are the hottest months of the year. Thus Lenten season is celebrated in many ways but one of the prominent things that is associated with Lent is the blazing sun. Lent is a time for flagellants, processions, and the colorful Lenten and Easter liturgies. Yesterday I had the chance of going on a mini excursion on an offshore Island from my home city of Tabaco. I took this snapshots and perhaps to lighten our day, may I simply share with you some of the photos I have taken.

The pier. Our city is a gateway to the Island Province of Catanduanes:

Precipitation is high during warmer days, cloud formations could suddenly appear and cause drizzles:

The sea shores...of San Mighel Island.


Under a leafy tree.....ideal for the tropical sun, it provides effective shield from the rays of the sun.


Our bags and provisions.....

3rd Sunday in Lent: A Demonstration of the Power of God

3rd Sunday in Lent
Epistle: Ephesians 5:1-9
Gospel: Luke 11:14-28

My Personal Reflection

Today we usher the third Sunday in Lent and todays readings reminds us of the powerful ministry of Jesus Christ. The Jews hearing and seeing the works of Christ criticize him for expelling demons and imputed evil things on him. But Jesus answered them in such powerful words as "But if I by the finger of God cast out devils; doubtless the Kingdom of God is come upon you... He that is not with Me is against Me; and he that gathereth not with me scatterreth." One of the signs of the reign of God is the redemption of the human race and this is shown how Christ in his ministry demonstrated his power to free us from the afflictions of evil things and from the shadow of death. With the gospel he gave us a foretaste of heaven and a hope of finally overcoming our weakness and entering the kingdom of God. In the epistle we saw that as we apply these principles in our lives, and as individual Christians one of the greatest challenge is for us to clean up ourselves and become followers of Christ as dear children. Serve him who has loved us so much by giving up himself in order to reddem us from the dominion of sin and despair.

Prayer:

Lord Jesus Christ we thank you for your love and concern for us. You gave us deliverance and hope for the coming kingdom. Make us steadfast in our faith and continue to bless with your love. We ask this in your name. Amen.

Reply of Bishop Bernard Fellay to the Letter of Pope Benedict XVI

Bishop Bernard Fellay, superior general of the Society of St. Pius X released a communique recently in reply to the Letter of Pope Benedict XVI to the Bishops of the world clarifying the lifting of the excommunications of the Four SSPX Bishops. Here are some excerpts from the communique. The full text can be read from DICI .

"After the “avalanche of protests unleashed” recently, we wholeheartedly thank the Holy Father for having placed the debate back on the level on which it must be held, that of the Faith. We fully share his main concern of preaching the Gospel “in our days, when in vast areas of the world the faith is in danger of dying out like a flame which no longer has fuel.”

"Far from wanting to stop Tradition in 1962, we wish to consider the Second Vatican Council and post-conciliar teaching in the light of this Tradition which St. Vincent of Lérins defined as “what has been believed at all times, everywhere and by all” (Commonitorium), without rupture and in a perfectly homogenous development. Thus we will be able to contribute efficaciously to the evangelization requested by the Savior (see Matthew 28; 19-20)"

"The Priestly Society of Saint Pius X assures Benedict XVI of its determination to enter into the doctrinal talks recognized as “requisite” by the Decree of January 21, with the desire to serve revealed Truth, which is the first act of charity to perform towards all men, Christians or non-Christians. It assures him of its prayers so that his faith fail not and that he may confirm his brethren. (cf. Luke 22:32)"

Indeed a very positive development. The Pope is right when he said that the medicine of mercy is effective in changing the attitudes of people.

The Official Translation of the LETTER OF HIS HOLINESS POPE BENEDICT XVI TO THE BISHOPS OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH concerning the remission of the excommunication of the four Bishops consecrated by Archbishop Lefebvre can be read from the Official Site of the Holy See.

Letter of His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI on the Lifting of Excommunications of the Four SSPX Bishops: SOME POINTS TO CONSIDER

Our Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI published a Letter to the Bishops of the Catholic Church concerning the lifting of the Excommunications of the Four SSPX Bishops. As faithful Catholics we welcome the message of this letter and we pray that the Bishops of the world will accept it and defend our Holy Father. Here are some selected excerpts from the Letter of His Holiness:

The Holy Father expresses his Christlike humility, despite his stature as Pontiff of the Roman Church he humbly expressed his regrets. (I pray that the Bishops, priests and laity who criticized the pontiff should demonstrate their humility by showing more obedience to the Pope):

"An unforeseen mishap for me was the fact that the Williamson case came on top of the remission of the excommunication. The discreet gesture of mercy towards four Bishops ordained validly but not legitimately suddenly appeared as something completely different: as the repudiation of reconciliation between Christians and Jews, and thus as the reversal of what the Council had laid down in this regard to guide the Church’s path. A gesture of reconciliation with an ecclesial group engaged in a process of separation thus turned into its very antithesis: an apparent step backwards with regard to all the steps of reconciliation between Christians and Jews taken since the Council – steps which my own work as a theologian had sought from the beginning to take part in and support. That this overlapping of two opposed processes took place and momentarily upset peace between Christians and Jews, as well as peace within the Church, is something which I can only deeply deplore."

"Another mistake, which I deeply regret, is the fact that the extent and limits of the provision of 21 January 2009 were not clearly and adequately explained at the moment of its publication."

The Pope's condition for the Society of St. Pius X:

"The Church’s teaching authority cannot be frozen in the year 1962 – this must be quite clear to the Society."

"The fact that the Society of Saint Pius X does not possess a canonical status in the Church is not, in the end, based on disciplinary but on doctrinal reasons. As long as the Society does not have a canonical status in the Church, its ministers do not exercise legitimate ministries in the Church. There needs to be a distinction, then, between the disciplinary level, which deals with individuals as such, and the doctrinal level, at which ministry and institution are involved. In order to make this clear once again: until the doctrinal questions are clarified, the Society has no canonical status in the Church, and its ministers – even though they have been freed of the ecclesiastical penalty – do not legitimately exercise any ministry in the Church."

The Pope's compassion for the members of the SSPX:

"I myself saw, in the years after 1988, how the return of communities which had been separated from Rome changed their interior attitudes; I saw how returning to the bigger and broader Church enabled them to move beyond one-sided positions and broke down rigidity so that positive energies could emerge for the whole. Can we be totally indifferent about a community which has 491 priests, 215 seminarians, 6 seminaries, 88 schools, 2 university-level institutes, 117 religious brothers, 164 religious sisters and thousands of lay faithful? Should we casually let them drift farther from the Church? I think for example of the 491 priests. We cannot know how mixed their motives may be. All the same, I do not think that they would have chosen the priesthood if, alongside various distorted and unhealthy elements, they did not have a love for Christ and a desire to proclaim him and, with him, the living God. Can we simply exclude them, as representatives of a radical fringe, from our pursuit of reconciliation and unity? What would then become of them?"

(My Personal Comment: Thank you so much your Holiness, thank you for your kindness, your love and solicitous recognition for us who are attached to the traditional rites. May God grant you success and fruitful pontificate.)

Message for those who cannot accept the compassion of the Holy Father for the Welfare of the SSPX:

"I was saddened by the fact that even Catholics who, after all, might have had a better knowledge of the situation, thought they had to attack me with open hostility."

"But some of those who put themselves forward as great defenders of the Council also need to be reminded that Vatican II embraces the entire doctrinal history of the Church. Anyone who wishes to be obedient to the Council has to accept the faith professed over the centuries, and cannot sever the roots from which the tree draws its life."

Letter of Pope Benedict XVI on the Subject of the Lifting of the Excommunications of the Four SSPX Bishops

There are reports that by Thursday the Pope will make public a letter addressed to the Bishops explaining the affairs that brought about the events after the lifting of the excommunications of the four SSPX Bishops. Here is an excerpt from the report of the Rorate Coeli:

"The letter will announce that the Pontifical Commission "Ecclesia Dei" will be placed under the authority of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (though, as of this moment, it is not clear if only regarding doctrinal matters). The Pope makes clear for Traditionalists that it is not possible to "freeze" the Magisterial authority of the Church in 1962 - but he also chides those who proclaim themselves to be "great defenders of the Council" but who do not wish to understand that Vatican II carries with it "the entire doctrinal history of the Church"."


Updates:

For reference purposes the Unofficial translation of the Papal Letter can be read from Catholic Conservation Page/

Of Churches, bells and Court Yards: Tabaco City Parish of St. John the Baptist

If there is anything I am proud of, I will always say that I am proud of our Parish Church. This church building is made of lime stone and volcanic stones and is one of the 25 baroque churches in the Philippines considered by the National Commission on Culture and Arts as a national Treasure. The titular of this Church is St. John the Baptist, precursor of the Messiah. St. John the Baptist has been the favorite patron saint of missionaries. The recorded history of our city began in 1587 through the missionary works of the Franciscan Fathers. in 1616 Fr. Pedro de Alcareso built a church dedicated in honor of St. John the Baptist. I am not sure if this church is the one built by Fr. Alcareso. This church was built by the Secular Clergy a century ago. The unique markings and seals inscribed on the foundation of this church makes this one unique. This is the church of my childhood and very dear to me.

This is the picture of the church and courtyard. I took these pictures using my Nokia E61i mobile phone. Notice the bamboo poles at the stone belfry? the belfry is undergoing clean up. getting ready for easter. The significant events that reminded me so much of this courtyard are the processions, way of the cross and the easter liturgies.

The Photo below is the belfry undergoing clean-up to remove unwanted vegetation. The Philippines is a tropical country and there are no pronounced climatic changes. It is almost always humid and hot. Thus buildings made of volcanic stones are usually susceptibe to growth of unwanted vegetation.

The Belfry without the scafoldings.

The newly renovated courtyard as it looks today. Observe the Christ the King altar. This is an outdoor altar designed according to the tridentine Rite with the altar attached to the wall. Unfortunately now it is unused because of the ad populum orientation of the Novus Ordo Mass. I wish that our parish priest like Pope Benedict XVI when he celebrated mass at the Sistine Chapel ad orientem on reason of preserving the architectural style of the chapel would also celebrate outdoor mass using this altar ad orientem.

This is the courtyard as it look like in November 2008 undergoing renovations.




Here are some street scenes near the church:

2nd Sunday in Lent: "This is my beloved Son, hear ye him"

2nd Sunday in Lent
Epistle 1 Thessalonians 4:1-7
Lectio Matthew 17:1-9

My Reflections for the 2nd Sunday in Lent: The Mount Tabor Experience

The Gospel reading for this Sunday narrates about the transfiguration of Jesus in Mt. Tabor as witnessed by Peter, James and John, three leading apostles. The Mount Tabor experience of the Apostles offers us with many lessons for reflections. I personally love this gospel narrative because it evokes so many spiritual nuggets of truth that can be applied to our Lenten observance. The vision of the Apostles with Jesus standing flanked by Moses and Elijah is a confirmation of the messianic mission of Christ. Moses on his discourse to the children of Israel said that the Lord will send a prophet just like him and that to him they should listen. Elijah too was a symbol of the precursor who shall proclaim the coming of the Messiah with the baptism of repentance. On another aspect of this lectio we see how in their fright the apostles were at a loss for words. Just like when confronted with an event so extraordinary and for want of something to say instead proposed that they build tents. How often in our human weakness we think that the Glory of God is comparable to human forms. We can observe this in many ways and even among us Catholics. How often are we so engrossed with visions and apparitions and forgetting that behind these events is the true message of Christ. We cross land and sea to visit an apparition shrine, hoping to see God or to hear the message coming from the Blessed Virgin. Yet we never realized that God is just right nearby, in the eyes of the poor, the beggar, the homeless, the abandoned or the child neglected by parents and elders. But our vision of the beauty of God should not stop in simply looking at it but it should move us to action. What should this action be? It should be active listening. Jesus said blessed are they that listen to the Word of God and obey. Thus while proposing that they build tents, the apostles heard a voice which says: "This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased, hear ye him." This Lenten season is a season for pilgrimage, as we travel and make sacrifices let us remember that the greatest preparation and reception of God's grace is by listening attentively to the Word of God and matching it with our acts of obedience. Amen.

Prayer:

Lord your love is the source of everything and how ardently our hearts long to be close to Thee. As we behold your glory, the glory of the Son of God, may we be moved to action by keeping this Mount Tabor experience in our hearts, inspired and moved by it may we come closer to Thee in this Lenten Season. Through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.

Letter of the Four Bishops to His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI

An excerpt from the letter of the Four Bishops of the FSSPX to His holiness Pope Benedict XVI: "In sentiments of thanksgiving we wish to express our deep gratitude for Your act of paternal kindness and for the apostolic courage by which You rendered ineffective the measure which imposed upon us twenty years ago as a consequence of our episcopal consecrations. Your decree dated January 21, 2009 restores in some way the reputation of the venerated founder of our priestly Society, His Grace Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre. It also procures a great good to the Church, so it seems to us, by doing justice to the priests and faithful worldwide who, attached to the Tradition of the Church, will no longer be unjustly stigmatized for having kept the Faith of their fathers." More of this can be read at DICI .

I am moved to tears by the sentiments expressed in this letter especially when I think that in the midst of this crisis of faith in the church, sacrifices are called for and always entails the sufferings of faithful souls. How many Bishops in the world could write a letter like this expressing piety and devotion not only to the person of the Holy Father but devotion to the magisterium of the Church. May the Virgin Mary, our Lady of Lourdes intercede and protect her loyal children. Let us include this in our Lenten penances. I know and believe that the church is always protected by the Holy Ghost from error. This modernist crisis in the church will pass away and I know in my heart that in the end, the Immaculate Heart of Mary will triumph. Let us pray for our Pope that God may give him strength and courage.

Papal Angelus Address: On Angels

"In the brevity of the account, in the face of this obscure and darksome figure who dares to tempt the Lord, the angels, luminous and mysterious figures, fleetingly appear. The Gospel says that the angels "serve" Jesus (Mark 1:13); they are the counterpoint to Satan. "Angel" means "one who is sent.'" His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI in his Angelus address on the first Sunday of Lent, this excerpt is from zenit the full text can be read by following the link. Angles are mysterious indeed, but we are told that they are ministering spirits, who serve the Lord day and night. They were the ones who constantly sing "Holy, Holy, Holy..." In the liturgy we echo their voice as we anticipate the effects of transubstantiation. We bow with awe and wonder.