Receive ye the Habit

I have blogged about numbers 4 & 6 on my "playing catch-up list." Now to hit on 1.

For a little over a month, I have been trying to keep the Rule of St. Dominic. Two others and I (the novice on the left) were incorporated into the folds of the ancient brotherhood that started in Spain and set flame to world. We are called the Order of Penance; the Militia of Jesus Christ; Order of Friars Preachers. I now wear the same habit that our Holy Father Dominic received from Our Lady. St. Thomas Aquinas, St. Catherine of Sienna, St. Rose of Lima, Pope St. Pius V, St. Vincent Ferrer, the list of holy men and women goes on and on. I just hope I do not bring any shame to the good names who proceed me.

Why in the world would a Dominican brother take St. Francis, founder of the Franciscans as his name? Well, it so happens that the two founders bumped into each other at the Fourth Lateran Council. Thats Right! What a small world, but it is not surprising to me. Both orders honor the other Holy Father as a founder of their own order.

I think I can learn a lot from both of my Patrons. I pray to repent like St. Francis, and to spread the Truth and zeal for God like St. Dominic. I don't think either of them had beds. Maybe that will go next. They both liked walking. There is a soup kitchen under the patronage of St. Francis that I checked out. That was pretty cool. St. Dominic always kept his conversation with God, or about God. I ask for his intercession to trim the fat, so to speak.

I am so blessed to have been exposed to truly Catholic teachings. Teachings that are older than 45 years old. At the Dominican meetings we go over the Summa and encyclicals that the New Order probably doesn't want you to see. Taking these books off the shelf and blowing dust off is not worth many peoples time anymore. Does the Church not have these problems anymore? Is the Church really in "Spring Time?" Mass attendance down, next to empty seminaries, tradition is the ugly step child. I do see some promise. Some of the youth want strict Catholicism more than the hierarchy. But the problem is the youth have been subjected to nothing but "feel-good" Catholicism. Guitar Mass has replaced Gregorian Chant. Obedience has turned into the blind leading the blind... I just feel that the Church is being married to the world and other religions, which for hundreds and hundreds of years was the opposite goal.

At these meetings we do not get any of this feel good nonsense. What happens when things don't feel good anymore. If everything is based on feelings, St. John of the Cross would warn you to get ready for a very dark, dark night. There is comfort in knowing you walk away from a group meeting intellectually stimulated and not just warm and fuzzy.
Let us pray for people who will teach, preach, and stand up for Dominican Spirituality and Catholicism.

The Name Game

The Four Temperaments are quite a useful tool in squeezing the most out of life. They help you win over others, they show you the strengths and weaknesses in your self, they give insight to the way the world goes 'round. It is a sneaky way to cut at some ones being. A great way to continue a conversation (and a light way of judging people) To conquer your own shows who is boss.

The Choleric gets stuff done. All of the dictators and conquers of history were cholerics. If you're not first, you're last, and its their way or the highway. They can be the greatest saints, or the worst sinners. They get excited easily, and it will make a lasting impression. Pride is their downfall, but there is not a better temperament to get others to Heaven.

The Sanguine is carefree and not the deepest group of people. Mirrors are their best friend and they get exited easily, too. However, after something looses its novelty, the Sanguine is ready to move on to something newer and more shiny. They talk just to talk (to hear their own beautiful voice) and forget why they started talking. They help others because they can be very empathetic, but first, they must help themselves. Quite the active temperament.

The Melancholic can be characterized as serious and careful. They are slow to get excited, but after they process the person, place, thing or idea, the impression is lasting. When put on the spot, they know what they want to say, but can not make it sound just right. The old saying "the glass is half empty" applies to melancholic outlook, but they make up (I dare say) the mojority of the saints.

The Phlegmatic is a passive type and needs encouraging. They don't excite very easily and are more forgiving. A wrong first impression with this temperament, and you're not totally dead just yet. Spanking Plegmatics as kids is more acceptable, because the emotional scares are not deep. This temperament is almost like the absence of the above three. Phlegmatics just have to work a little harder than most.

I find myself to be Melancholic. A couple of examples why. Friday was my birthday and I had people over. I knew it was going to rain, and sure enough it did (monsoon like.) I used too much power from the single outlet in the garage, and it blew. It did not surprise me. I will remember why I do not like people and it sticks for no reason. I get tongue tied all the time, etc.

A matter of interest... I get along with Choleric Catholics, but can not stand them if there is no God in a Choleric. I have a really hard time with Sanguine Catholics, but I get the carefreeness of a non-Christian sanguine, and find it amusing and a curiously disgusting. I now have a little better understanding for Catholic Melancholics. We are a little hard on ourselves, but we need to be. But what I dont understand is the non-believing Melancholic. Why be hard on yourself if you there is no God. Why not eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow may never come? I think I would agree with the plegmatic outlook if I didn't have hope for an eternal life. What would be the point of being powerful or popular?

The Temperaments were studied so that we may overcome the shortfalls of our own. The saints embraced the intrinsic good built into their style, and strove for the goods in the others. We should do the same. I have many more thoughts, but want to hear everybody else's!

All's well that ends well

I have wanted to blog about 84 times since the last one, and here are a few updates for you (to be blogs).
1) I became a Dominican Third Order member! Brother Francis, T.O.P.
2) I had a pretty obvious thought pop into my head while meditating on the mysteries.
3) My diocese is very serious, sometimes.
4) I'm a big fan of the Four Temperaments.
5) I have felt like I failed pointing people in the right direction.
6) There was a concert for the priests of our diocese, and my thoughts.

I think I will tackle number 6.
Yesterday, I was asked if I went to a concert held at my university sponsored by a Catholic entertainment company. The concert entitled "Song of Praise" was to show appreciation for all of our priests and what they do. I was asked (ironically enough in front of my priest, who failed to get the invite... if you know what I mean) if I went to the concert. What a shame. I would have no problem going there, showing my support for the men in black, if that was what was really going on. I know folks who put it on meant well, but if the diocese was really bent on getting the souls of its flock to heaven, they could honor** my priest by letting him do what he was created to do.

**Reverend Father does not want honor for the sake of honor, but isn't it Saint Paul who says if one member glories, then the whole rejoices with it.
Its no surprise what happened, but sad that this diocese has an absolute gold mine located in the heart of its biggest city. But no one will take advantage of him. I can't think of a better priest to train other priests in the Tridentine Rite. No one could preach a more traditional (silent) retreat. He knows more about the New Code of Canon Law better than a lot of priests I know, and could hear confessions in a couple of languages. He is a storehouse of knowledge, and would benefit the diocese in many, many ways. But will this diocese ever grow a backbone and tap this font of knowledge? Probably not, because, as Bishop Williamson puts it "as long as we stand up for the old fashion doctrine, we are raining on their parade."

They admit he is a Priest of God, ordained in a Catholic Rite, with the power to share in the Hypostatic Union and make bread Flesh, and wine Blood. But because he cares about the salvation of souls and claims there is a higher authority than the Local Ordinary, he and the chapel where Tradition lives on is worse than my fingers will let me type.
But where is Christ in all of this? Is Christ going to ease judgment of the soul of a priest because he was honored at "Songs of Praise" the night before last? Will Our Lord, the final judge, let the shepherds slide because they are praised in this world? There is a problem there. Priests are not supposed to be popular. St. John of the Cross would tell you that. I see too many priests striving for an approval rating. The more they say "yes," the more the kids like them. Yes to Ecumenism, yes to Life Teen, yes to the feel-good-cafeteria-Catholicism that leaves little kids like me not knowing the simplest of Catechism. Priests in the New Order do know how to say "No." No to fast and penance, no to the reality of Hell, no to the past teachings of Holy Mother Church...

When Christ comes down at the Consecration does He like what He sees in the Kum-biah picture above? Is a rock concert an appropriate place for the Second Person of the Trinity to dwell? (Yes that white table is the altar.)
Our poor Lord mistreated... our poor Lady shedding tear after tear for priests whom she loves so much. Do we have to take part in this, or at least this mindset? Would the saints attend?

***

In truth, I can bet the concert was, as I was told, amazing. I'm sure the pianist and vocalist were exceptional. I can think of no other group of men who deserve to be treated to a nice night. The servants of God are not to be taken for granted! It is time we put our pride aside and see our problems as problems that we are either okay with, or problems that can be remedied.

As usual, I would like to end with a short prayer. O, Most holy Lord, we give Thee praise, due and fit! Please make us patient, grant us obedience, form us into soldiers for Christ. Give us the strength we need to fight the good fight, and although it may seem like David and Goliath all over again, we know how that turned out! O, most merciful Mary, refuge of sinners, intercede for us. Ask your Creator, Son, and Spouse to make us whole, and may we never compromise the Truth. Amen.

We do not know the future. But we do know that the gates of Hell will never prevail against His Church. All is well that ends well...

Up next, the Four Temperaments

Can I go to a church without regular jurisdiction?

I have printed the following out for some friends. Some names will be left blank to protect the innocent.

Q. Can I go to St. __________?
A. One could not go to St. _______ if it were Invalid or Illicit?

Valid- i.e. the person celebrating Mass is not a priest, the words of consecration are not said etc. Fr. _____ would be happy to show you his "chelebrant" or his paper from the Vatican, issued by Ecclesia Dei, signed by the cardinal and Msgr. Pearl on July 3, 2000. It says he may celebrate Holy Mass with the use of the 1962 Missal, and he is incardinated in the Diocese of Scranton, PA. Proof he's valid! However, you are supposed to get the permission of the local ordinary to celebrate public Mass. This brings up the question of whether it is licit (lawful) or illicit (illegal.)

Licit- Until the Bishop of ___________ recognizes St. _______, people will always be quick to point this out. However, in the New Code of Canon Law, the rule clearly states that "any Catholic Rite can fulfill your Mass obligation." Msgr. Pearl (who is a priest of the New Order) tells a Catholic who asks about going to the SSPX for the sacraments (the SSPX is the society that ordained Father ______,) "If your primary reason for attending were to manifest your desire to separate yourself from communion with the Roman Pontiff and those in Communion with him, it would be a sin. If your intention is simply to participate in a Mass according to the 1962 Missal for the sake of Devotion, this would not be a sin."

It is true St.____ does not have ordinary jurisdiction (yet.) But does Holy Mother Church foresee instances when her ministers receive jurisdiction for the supreme law to save souls? Yes! Exceptions are made, open a book! Read when the faithful are not bound to go to their local parish. Ecclesiastical Law must be obeyed unless it conflicts with the Divine Law, but as Catholics, we have a duty to worship Almighty God in a due and fitting manner! The Faith and tradition of Catholics go back 2000 years. The Church was founded in 33 A.D, not 1965. All new ideas ended with the death of St. John, the last Apostle. Read the past teachings of the Church and see what she has defended and made clear! Learn what the Councils of our holy and unified church bind you to believe and curse you (anathema) if you hold the erring opinion (their words, not mine.)

The Bishop may not like it, but he cannot pick and choose what goes into out Faith. He is subject to a higher power. What did the last two popes do for the Traditional Mass? Pope JP II came up with Ecclesia Dei, Pope Benedict proclaimed the Summorum Pontificum and lifted the excommunications of the SSPX bishops! Why did he do that? Do you know what these encyclicals say? Do you have access to a computer? (I bet you do reading this.) The popes like the Traditional Rite. Why don't we? One possible reason is we cannot like what we do not know.

After we take the time and make the effort to the research the condition of the modern church, we can come to one of two conclusions. There are either problems or there are not problems. If we "feel uncomfortable" with the liturgical abuses or irreverence, the Holy See does not bind us to go to a parish that has these issues. St. _______ exists because it has none! They hold fast to the teaching that has been handed down from Jesus Christ to his Apostles. St ____ teaches nothing schismatic or heretical. St Paul says there should be no division among members. I Cor 12:25. Bp _________ himself comments on this passage by saying "namely, there should be union, not necessarily uniformity" Hmmm...

If you have any questions, the Catholic Church has the answers. If you need help finding these answers, please clear your afternoon, and contact Alex Walker @ (phone #) theviateam@yahoo.com

St. Paul, pray for us.

Mind your tongue

One day I found myself (don't ask me how) in a really modern Novus Ordo Church. You know, the ones with the Art Deco paintings , a table, and a tabernacle embedded in the side wall. Well, a friend and I follow a small group of guys in a side room and take our seats. I haven't been mixed with the Novus Ordo very often, and it took me a few seconds to realize that it was in fact a chapel, and Our Lord was present in the wall. I then put down a kneeler and kneel. My friend taps me on the shoulder and whispers... "is the Euch in there" I nodded "yes" and then shook my head...
Try not to throw the word "Eucharist" around. First off, always capitalize it. The Most Holy Eucharist actually means something more than just "my home boy" so show Him some reverence by throwing "holy" or "most holy" or "bless-ed" in front. It is of such importance that these adjectives get capitalized with It! Traditional Catholics make it a point to reserve their speech and watch what ever words are put in the same sentence with this life giving word. Of course, a consecrated host is the Eucharist. But try not to throw the name around like its a substitute for "bread." Remember, every time you say it, you basically say "the Sacrifice of Calvary." Some Synonyms you can use are "Blessed Sacrament" and "Holy Communion." I have heard the word "Eucharist" said more times since Ive been with the schools Catholic group than I have heard it in 10 years. AND NO, THAT'S NOT A GOOD THING. The Traditionalists are not afraid of saying "Eucharist" but show It the reverence It deserves. We love It, we embrace It. Its not something common to us. We have It everyday, but It never loses Its novelty. Familiarity breeds contempt.

Ive heard someone say "go up and get the Eucharist" or "then, when it was time for Eucharist." No! Do you know who has "the Eucharist" instead of "the Mass?" The Episcopalians.

We don't "eat the Eucharist." We receive Holy Communion" ---or--- after we pray and mentally prepare ourselves for a worthy reception, we communicate with the Blessed Sacrament found in the Most Holy Eucharist, where Christ is present, Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity. Then give sufficient thanks.

I pray for a worthy Communion. You only need one to become a Saint.

Easter Lilies

I read my last couple blogs and they seem to me written in the way that I was trying to avoid. I wrote the Tale of Two Alters out of frustration, and although I meant it, I said some things I would like to clear up. I spoke about my friend as if he was a blinded ninny who was as illogical as a protestant. I may have stripped the words that came from his mouth to a meaning that suited my blog. And for that, I apologize. Well, hes my best friend. And if this writer writes that kind of stuff behind Friend B's back, he wont have friends for very long. I would like to clarify that I still stick to what I said, I just could have been more diplomatic about it.
Concerning the Good Friday post. I wrote that under the influence of an uncharacteristic slight depression. It sounds so bleak rereading it. I let hear-say get the best of me. I know the Catholic ministry on campus will think. They have more patience and charity than most, and I didn't give them the due respect I should have. Forgive me! I do not think the group at school is a kangaroo court that has it out for me. If they are, they have a good way of hiding it. Being on the other side of Easter can open my eyes a bit more.
Recently, I have been compiling evidence/arguments with two guys. I think this is good, because until this past year, things have just felt right. Well, that would only do for so long. Now, I KNOW things are right. And that is very comforting.

Now that I've gotten this off my chest, on to the blog---

Diplomacy and Strategy. How important are these ideas in the fight for Tradition? We could look at the saints! St. Louis de Montfort had a bull from the Pope saying he may preach basically wherever, whenever, and to whomever. He had Truth on his side (and the Pope) but yet he set a humble model of patience and obedience. Why? Could we learn from this Saint?
Sure, Jesus was angry once. It was just anger, too. He saw merchants in His Father's temple. He literally fliped (tables.) What would Christ do if he walked into a Lifeteen Mass? Or someone told me a story where "kids were high fiving each other after they got back into their pugh after communion." Is this a cause for righteous anger? Yeah, probably. But we must look at Christ's example, too! He knew how the Holy Eucharist would be abused and he still decided it was best to leave the Most Blessed Sacrament with us. So... should we go rushing into battle, sometimes ill prepared, withOUT an interior life that matched the "holiness" of our exterior? Who will listen if we just go out in a fury of melee condemning everybody and their brother? We should first get our act together. God will fix this crisis! We don't change people, He does! It all starts with a life a prayer, then a life of detachment. A life of action will follow. If we are true to God and die to ourselves, He will use us as a tool in His strategy. Just watch...

St. Louis d' Montfort, pray for us.

Good Friday

What I have been afraid for a year has started to happen.
The question of obedience has come up. Lines are being drawn in the sand. God, give me the strength to hold fast to the Truth. Decisions are going to have to be made, some have already been made. Lord, please allow Your servants to accept their fate with humility and silence. Just as you accepted Your Fathers will in the garden of Gethsemane early this morning. As I write this, 2000 years ago, You would have have been carrying Your Cross up to the summit of execution! Already tried and condemned in a kangaroo court but a few hours ago. Pilate condemned Our Lord because he was a coward, I ask for You to grant the Catholic ministry at school the grace to think; to look at the current situation and be obedient... not to the local ordinary, but to the Power above him!

May all the meditations and devotions from Noon to Three, and the Mass of the Pre-Sanctified after that, mold my spirit. Wipe it clean so that I may wake up with Thee Easter Sunday clothed with the New Man, who according to God has been created in Justice, and Holiness of Truth!