Devout Commemoration of the 3 hours agony of Our Saviour, Jesus Christ

Pope Pius VII, by a decree of the Sacred Congregation of Indulgences, dated 14 February 1815, granted the following indulgences to all the faithful who shall practise the devotion of the Three Hours' Agony, on Good Friday, beginning it after midday, and continuing it for the three hours following, up to that moment in which the memory of our divine Redeemer's death is annually recalled. 

This pious practice may be performed either in public or in private, alone or with others, under the direction of a priest or other sacred minister, or using any pious book that is approved, and meditating, according to each one's ability, on the great sufferings which our Saviour endured during those three hours, and on the seven words he uttered on the cross, or, instead of this, by reciting psalms, hymns or prayers:

• A plenary indulgence to all the faithful who, being truly penitent, after confession and communion, on Holy Thursday, or during Easter-week, shall devoutly pray, for some time, for the intention of his Holiness;
• An indulgence of 200 days to all who, on every Friday of the year, shall, with devotion, recall the memory of our Saviour's agony, and pray devoutly, for some time, in the manner aforesaid;
• A plenary indulgence, once a month, to be gained on the last Friday of every month by all those who, having meditated and prayed, as directed above, on the previous Fridays of the month, and, being truly penitent, after confession and communion, shall pray devoutly, for some time, for the intention of his Holiness.

(Source: Imprimatur 1903 AD, The New Raccolta Or Collection Of Prayers And Good Works, To Which The Sovereign Pontiffs Have Attached Holy Indulgences, pp. 168-169)

Quotes to reflect upon (21)

“A final consideration concerns those faithful who for various reasons choose to attend churches officiated by priests of the Fraternity of St Pius X. This Jubilee Year of Mercy excludes no one. From various quarters, several Brother Bishops have told me of their good faith and sacramental practice, combined however with an uneasy situation from the pastoral standpoint. I trust that in the near future solutions may be found to recover full communion with the priests and superiors of the Fraternity. In the meantime, motivated by the need to respond to the good of these faithful, through my own disposition, I establish that those who during the Holy Year of Mercy approach these priests of the Fraternity of St Pius X to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation shall validly and licitly receive the absolution of their sins."

Pope Francis' letter on the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy, Vatican City, 1 September 2015

Important Exorcisms - Part 1

Today we will start an interesting series about exorcisms that took place on a woman in Switzerland between 1975‑1978. Speaking through the possessed woman, the demons were forced to tell the truth by Our Lady under the Solemn Church Exorcism, which was witnessed by the following priests who have all expressed their conviction of the authenticity of the revelations made by the demons upon the order of the Blessed Virgin:

 

1. Abbot Albert‑l`Arx, Niederbuchorten

2. Abbot Arnold Elig, Ramiswil

3. Abbot Ernest Fischer, Missionary, Gossau (St.‑Gall).

4. Rev. Father Pius Gervasi, O.S.B., Disentis

5. Abbot Karl Holdener, Ried

6. Rev. Father Gregoire Meyer, ‑ Trimbach

7. Rev. Father Robert Rinderer, C.P.P.S., Auw

8. Abbot Louis Veillard, Cerneux‑Pequignot

The text is of the exorcism that took place on 14 August 1975. (E stands for exorcist, A stands for Akabor, a fallen angel, from The Choir of Thrones. The parts are about the Holy Mass and liturgy:

A: There were a few small things, which needed to be changed, but most of it - no. Believe me! In the liturgy, there was practically nothing to be changed. Even the Gospel reading should not be in the vernacular; it would be better if the Holy Mass were said in Latin. The reason can be seen if you just look at the Consecration, only the Consecration, but that is typical. At the Consecration, one uses the words: “This is My Body which will be given up for you”, followed by: “This is My Blood, which will be shed for you and for a great number”. That is what Jesus said.

 

E: It is not correct to say “for all”? Tell the truth, in the name... you have no right to lie.

 

A: It certainly isn't. The translations have not been completely accurate, and this is particularly the case with “for all”. It should not, and cannot, be “for all” - it should be “for a great number”. When the text is not correct, so the abundance of graces diminishes; the channel of graces still flows, but only sparsely. And the Consecration is accompanied by so many graces when the priest does things correctly, according to the old Tradition, and according to the Will of God. For you and for a great number” must be said, just as Christ Himself said it.

 

E: But, didn't Christ shed His Blood for all? Tell the truth in the name...!

 

A: No, He would have liked to shed it for all, but, in fact, it did not flow for all.

 

E: Because many have rejected it? Tell the truth in the name...!

 

A: Exactly; in this way it did not flow for all, for it did not flow for us in Hell.

 

E: Tell the truth, in the name...!

 

A: The new order of the Mass - the bishops have changed the Tridentine Mass - the new Mass is absolutely not as They up there want it (he points upward). The point will soon be reached when the whole Mass will no longer be valid.

 

E: How is the Tridentine Mass, the old Mass, which was prescribed by Pope St. Pius V? Tell the truth, in the name... and you have no right to lie!

 

A: It is the best in existence; it is in the standard, the true, the good Mass (he groans).

 

E: Akabor, tell the truth, in the name of and by the order of, the Blessed Virgin! We order you to say everything she charges you to say!

 

A: I said all that against my will, but I was made to! She up there (He points upward) forced me (he mutters).

 

E: Is there anything more that you must say, in the name..! But speak only the truth! Tell the truth, in the name...!

 

A: In the Mass, the true Mass, the Tridentine Mass, there used to be thirty-three Signs of the Cross. Now, there are very few - sometimes two, three when all goes well. And at the end - for the Blessing - you are not even required to get down on your knees (he cries and weeps despairingly). Do you know how we would kneel down...would fall to our knees...if we were still able to (he weeps and wails).

 

E: Is that correct – thirty-three Signs of the Cross were made at Holy Mass? Tell the truth, in the name…!

 

A: Of course it is correct, it is even compulsory. When it happens that way, we are not present; we are forced to flee from the Church; but the way things are now, we are there. The 'Asperges Me' must also be restored.” During the Asperges, we were obliged to flee before the holy water and the incense. The burning of incense must also be resumed. And, after Mass, the prayers “St. Michael the Archangel”, the three “Hail Mary's” and “Hail Holy Queen” must be said again.

 

E: Tell the truth, say what you must say, in the name...!

 

A: Lay people should not distribute Holy Communion (he cries out in a frightful voice), not at all! Not even nuns and brothers, never! Do you believe Christ would have entrusted this to the Apostles, if women and laymen were able to do it (he groans). How I was forced to say that!

The Knights of Malta and the Tridentine Mass - Part 2

More than six years ago, the then President of Pro Tridentina (Malta) had indicated in this article that a one off Tridentine Mass in Valletta had been allowed with restrictions imposed on a delegation of the Knights of St. John.

 

A controversy had occurred several months after this event as was outlined here. Unfortunately, once again, this organisation was proven right.

 

A letter issued by the Grand Master of the S.M.O.M., Giacomo Dalla Torre, has decreed that the Tridentine Mass is being suppressed by the once-Catholic Order with immediate effect. Allegedly to "guarantee the cohesion and communion of the Order!" This goes in direct contravention of the spirit of Summorum Pontificum and surely Benedict XVI is not happy with this event.

 

What a betrayal by the once glorious Order that defended Christendom!  

Quotes to reflect upon (14)

"In view of the state of the Church as a whole today, this manner of distributing Holy Communion must be observed, not only because it rests upon a tradition of many centuries but especially because it is a sign of the reverence of the faithful toward the Eucharist. The practice in no way detracts from the personal dignity of those who approach this great Sacrament and it is a part of the preparation needed for the most fruitful reception of the Lord’s body. This reverence is a sign of Holy Communion not in “common bread and drink”but in the Body and Blood of the Lord.

…

In addition, this manner of communicating, which is now to be considered as prescribed by custom, gives more effective assurance that Holy Communion will be distributed with the appropriate reverence, decorum, and dignity; that any danger of profaning the Eucharistic species, in which “the whole and entire Christ, God and man, is substantially contained and permanently present in a unique way,” will be avoided; and finally that the diligent care which the Church has always commended for the very fragments of the consecrated bread will be maintained: “If you have allowed anything to be lost, consider this a lessening of your own members.”

 

Memoriale Domini (29 May 1969),  the Instruction on the Manner of Administering Holy Communion issued by the Congregation for Divine Worship and deploring Communion in the Hand.

Liturgical abuses in Valletta

St. Augustine Church, Valletta

In normal circumstances Bishops, priests and deacons distribute Holy Communion in virtue of their office as ordinary ministers of the Body and Blood of the Lord. 

The only exception should be when the size of the congregation or the incapacity of the bishop, priest, or deacon requires it, the celebrant may be assisted by other bishops, priests, or deacons. If such ordinary ministers of Holy Communion are not present:

 "the priest may call upon extraordinary ministers to assist him, i.e., duly instituted acolytes or even other faithful who have been deputed for this purpose. In case of necessity, the priest may also depute suitable faithful for this single occasion (General Instruction of the Roman Missal, GIRM 162)."

Alas, the parish of St. Augustine in Valletta is abusing this norm. It is happening quite often that during morning Mass, when the congregation is composed of a handful of people (20 at most), after the priest has concluded his own Communion, he distributes Communion to the extraordinary minister, and then hands the sacred vessels to him for distribution of Holy Communion to the people.

This is clearly an abuse - the priest is still relatively young and walks unaided.

Church authorities, kindly note. Perhaps such a practice has reduced attendance to this Mass which up to 3 years ago had a congregation of around 60.

Saint John Paul II on liturgical abuses

A suffering Saint John Paul II

"I would like to ask forgiveness — in my own name and in the name of all of you, venerable and dear brothers in the episcopate — for everything which, for whatever reason, through whatever human weakness, impatience or negligence, and also through the at times partial, one-sided and erroneous application of the directives of the Second Vatican Council, may have caused scandal and disturbance concerning the interpretation of the doctrine and the veneration due to this great sacrament. And I pray the Lord Jesus that in the future we may avoid in our manner of dealing with this sacred mystery anything which could weaken or disorient in any way the sense of reverence and love that exists in our faithful people."  Letter Dominicae Cenae, n. 12 (1980)

"But these encouraging and positive aspects cannot suppress concern at the varied and frequent abuses being reported from different parts of the Catholic world: the confusion of roles, especially regarding the priestly ministry and the role of the laity (indiscriminate shared recitation of the Eucharistic Prayer, homilies given by lay people, lay people distributing Communion while the priests refrain from doing so); an increasing loss of the sense of the sacred (abandonment of liturgical vestments, the Eucharist celebrated outside church without real need, lack of reverence and respect for the Blessed Sacrament, etc.); misunderstanding of the ecclesial character of the Liturgy (the use of private texts, the proliferation of unapproved Eucharistic Prayers, the manipulation of the liturgical texts for social and political ends). In these cases we are face to face with a real falsification of the Catholic Liturgy ...

None of these things can bring good results. The consequences are — and cannot fail to be — the impairing of the unity of Faith and worship in the Church, doctrinal uncertainty, scandal and bewilderment among the People of God, and the near inevitability of violent reactions." Instruction Inaestimabile Donum, Foreword (1980)

"On occasion there have been noted illicit omissions or additions, rites invented outside the framework of established norms; postures or songs which are not conducive to faith or to a sense of the sacred; abuses in the practice of general absolution; confusion between the ministerial priesthood, linked with Ordination, and the common priesthood of the faithful, which has its foundation in Baptism. It cannot be tolerated that certain priests should take upon themselves the right to compose Eucharistic Prayers or to substitute profane readings for texts from Sacred Scripture. Initiatives of this sort, far from being linked with the liturgical reform as such, or with the books which have issued from it, are in direct contradiction to it, disfigure it and deprive the Christian people of the genuine treasures of the Liturgy of the Church. It is for the bishops to root out such abuses." “Apostolic Letter” Vicesimus Quintus Annus, n. 13 (1988)

"The Bishop’s place in the Church’s sanctifying mission leads him to have special concern for the observance of liturgical law in his diocese… Unfortunately, excesses in one direction or another have led to a certain polarization within communities. ...The spiritual vitality of your communities depends greatly on the dignified and worthy celebration of the liturgy. In all of this you need the support and help of your priests and all the faithful, but the greatest responsibility lies with you who have received the fullness of the sacrament of the priesthood." Address to Episcopal Conference of Australia, n. 3 (1993)

"To look back over what has been done in the field of liturgical renewal in the years since the Council is, first, to see many reasons for giving heartfelt thanks and praise to the Most Holy Trinity for the marvelous awareness which has developed among the faithful of their role and responsibility in this priestly work of Christ and his Church. It is also to realize that not all changes have always and everywhere been accompanied by the necessary explanation and catechesis; as a result, in some cases there has been a misunderstanding of the very nature of the liturgy, leading to abuses, polarization, and sometimes even grave scandal." Address to Episcopal Conference of the United States, n. 1 (1998)


"Unfortunately, alongside these lights, there are also shadows. In some places the practice of Eucharistic adoration has been almost completely abandoned. In various parts of the Church abuses have occurred, leading to confusion with regard to sound faith and Catholic doctrine concerning this wonderful sacrament. At times one encounters an extremely reductive understanding of the Eucharistic mystery. Stripped of its sacrificial meaning, it is celebrated as if it were simply a fraternal banquet. Furthermore, the necessity of the ministerial priesthood, grounded in apostolic succession, is at times obscured and the sacramental nature of the Eucharist is reduced to its mere effectiveness as a form of proclamation. This has led here and there to ecumenical initiatives which, albeit well-intentioned, indulge in Eucharistic practices contrary to the discipline by which the Church expresses her faith. How can we not express profound grief at all this? The Eucharist is too great a gift to tolerate ambiguity and depreciation." “Encyclical” Ecclesia de Eucharistia, n. 10 (2003)

"In this regard it is not possible to be silent about the abuses, even quite grave ones, against the nature of the Liturgy and the Sacraments as well as the tradition and the authority of the Church, which in our day not infrequently plague liturgical celebrations in one ecclesial environment or another. In some places the perpetration of liturgical abuses has become almost habitual, a fact which obviously cannot be allowed and must cease." Instruction Redemptionis Sacramentum, n. 4 (2004)

Bl. Anne Catherine Emmerich - prophecies about Holy Mass & the Catholic Church

Blessed Anne Catherine Emmerich - prophecies for our times?

These prophecies were made by 1820 by Anna Catherine Emmerich, a stigmatized Augustinian nun who bore the wounds of Jesus on her body and who lived many years solely on the Holy Communion until  she died. She was given many visions of our Blessed Lord and Lady including their earthly lives, printed into books. The following prophecies were recorded in The Life of Anne Catherine Emmerich (1870) by Rev. Carl Schmoeger, C.SS.R. 

 

In many cases the similarities with the post-Vatican II traumas suffered by the Church are striking.

 

 1.  "Among the strangest things that I saw, were long processions of bishops. Their thoughts and utterances were made known to me through images issuing from their mouths. Their faults towards religion were shown by external deformities ... I saw what I believe to be nearly all the bishops of the world, but only a small number were perfectly sound. I also saw the Holy Father - God-fearing and prayerful. Nothing left to be desired in his appearance, but he was weakened by old age and by much suffering. His head was lolling from side to side, and it dropped onto his chest as if he was falling asleep ...Then I saw that everything pertaining to Protestantism was gradually gaining the upperhand, and the Catholic religion fell into complete decadence. Most priests were lured by the glittering but false knowledge of young school-teachers, and they all contributed to the work of destruction. In those days, Faith will fall very low, and it will be preserved in some places only, in a few cottages and in a few families which God has protected from disasters and wars." This seems to be an allusion to the last months of the pontificate of Benedict XVI and the Vatileaks scandal.

 

Pope emeritus Benedict XVI and Pope Francis

2. "I saw also the relationship between two popes ... I saw how baleful would be the consequences of this false church. I saw it increase in size; heretics of every kind came into the city of Rome. The local clergy grew lukewarm, and I saw a great darkness... I had another vision of the great tribulation. It seems to me that a concession was demanded from the clergy which could not be granted. I saw many older priests, especially one, who wept bitterly. A few younger ones were also weeping. But others, and the lukewarm among them, readily did what was demanded. It was as if people were splitting into two camps." This could (hopefully not) refer to a future situation between popes Francis and Benedict XVI, or perhaps another era when two popes will be living at the same time. Interestingly, the prophecy does not consider any of the popes as being an anti-pope.

 

3. "I saw that many pastors allowed themselves to be taken up with ideas that were dangerous to the Church. They were building a great, strange, and extravagant Church. Everyone was to be admitted in it in order to be united and have equal rights: Evangelicals, Catholics, sects of every description. Such was to be the new Church ... But God had other designs. ... I saw again the new and odd-looking church which they were trying to build. There was nothing holy about it ... People were kneading  bread in the crypt below ... but it would not rise, nor did they receive the body of our Lord, but only bread. Those who were in error, through no fault of their own, and who piously and ardently longed for the Body of Jesus were spiritually consoled, but not by their communion. ... I saw deplorable things: they were gambling, drinking, and talking in church; they were also courting women. All sorts of abominations were perpetrated there. Priests allowed everything and said Mass with much irreverence. I saw that few of them were still godly... All these things caused me much distress." One is inclined to think that the prophecy refers to abuses by priests on minors, ecumenism implemented erroneously and abuses in the Novus Ordo Missae.

Jesus saying Holy Mass

4. "I had a vision of the holy Emperor Henry.  I saw him at night kneeling alone at the foot of the main altar in a great and beautiful church ... and I saw the Blessed Virgin coming down all alone. She laid on the altar a red cloth covered with white linen. She placed a book inlaid with precious stones. She lit the candles and the perpetual lamp. Then came the Saviour Himself clad in priestly vestments. He was carrying the chalice and the veil. Two angels were serving Him and two more were following ... Although there was no altar bell, the cruets were there. The wine was as red as blood, and there was also some water. The Mass was short. The Gospel of St. John was not read at the end. When the Mass had ended, Mary came up to Henry, and she extended her right hand towards him, saying that it was in recognition of his purity. Then she urged him not to falter. Thereupon I saw an angel, and he touched the sinew of his hip, like Jacob. Henry was in great pain; and from that day on he walked with a limp ..." This is quite difficult to understand. But the interesting part is related to the fact that Jesus celebrated a Tridentine Mass without the last part, or else a Novus Ordo Missae in Latin - otherwise Blessed Emmerich would have mentioned the fact that it was in a vulgar tongue.

 

Thunder hits St. Peter's - the last day of Benedict XVI's pontificate.

5. "I saw the Church of St. Peter and an enormous number of people working to demolish it. At the same time I saw others repairing the Church. The demolishers took away large pieces; they were, above all, sectarians and apostates, in the majority. In their destructive work these people seemed to follow certain orders and a certain rule. I saw with horror, that among them were Catholic priests. I saw the Pope praying, surrounded by false friends who frequently, did the contrary of what he had ordered." Could be a reference to the current situation whereby Pope Francis will attempt to reform the Roman Curia after Vatileaks.

6. "In the centre of Hell I saw a dark and horrible-looking abyss, and into this Lucifer was cast, after being first strongly secured with chains; thick clouds of sulphurous black smoke arose from it's fearful depths and enveloped his fearful form in the dismal folds, thus effectually concealing him from every beholder. God Himself had decreed this; and I was likewise told, if I remember right, that he will be unchained for a time fifty or sixty years before the year of Christ 2000. The dates of many other events were pointed out to me which I do not now remember, but a certain number of demons are to be let loose much earlier than Lucifer, in order to tempt men, and to serve as instruments of divine vengeance." The timing here is particular, 1940 - 1950 coincides with the Second World War but, more importantly, with the following dates: 

• 1942: Pope Pius XII assigned a project for liturgical codification to Benedictine Father Pio Alfonzo, a liturgist who taught at the College of the Propaganda and advised the Sacred Congregation of Rites. Fr. Alfonzo's "General Norms," however, was not acted upon at that time.
• 1946: in an audience with Carlo Cardinal Salotti, Prefect for the Congregation of Rites, Pius XII instructed Salotti to begin a study of the general reform of the liturgy. In the same year Pius XII determined that a Commission for General Liturgical Restoration be established to consider that nature and substance of a general reform of the liturgy and offer concrete proposals. 
• 1948: Pius XII selected the members of the Commission. Father (later Cardinal) Ferdinando Antonelli, OFM, was named General Director and Fr. (later Archbishop) Annibale Bugnini was named Secretary.

 
 

Fifth anniversary of a symbolic gesture

Benedict XVI celebrating solemn Mass on 13 January 2008. Photo: Reuters

Five years ago today, Pope Benedict XVI led a solemn Mass during which he baptised 13 babies at the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican. He celebrated parts of the Mass with his back turned on the congregation, a gesture that did not pass unnoticed. Pope Benedict, in this way, re-introduced a visible aspect of the Tridentine Mass. He used the Sistine Chapel's ancient altar set right against the wall under Michelangelo's dramatic depiction of the Last Judgement, instead of the altar placed on a mobile platform that allowed his predecessor Blessed John Paul II to face the faithful. Benedict XVI also read his homily from an old wooden throne on the left of the altar used by Blessed Pius IX in the 19th century.

This event had been preceded a few months earlier by the promulgation of the motu proprio Summorum Pontificum, allowing a wider use of the Tridentine Mass. In the same period Benedict XVI had also said he would like the centuries-old Gregorian chant to make a comeback. Communion, during Papal Masses, started being given on the mouth and kneeling too.

All these gestures by His Holiness were meant as a signal to bishops around the world on the way forward for the Catholic Church. Whether these were taken on board is another story.

Cardinal Antonio Canizares Llovera on Communion

Cardinal Antonio Canizares Llovera recently recommended that Catholics:

"receive Communion on the tongue and while kneeling. ... It is to simply know that we are before God himself and that He came to us and that we are undeserving ..."

(Communion in this way) “is the sign of adoration that needs to be recovered. I think the entire Church needs to receive Communion while kneeling. In fact, if one receives while standing, a genuflection or profound bow should be made, and this is not happening.”

“If we trivialize Communion, we trivialize everything, and we cannot lose a moment as important as that of receiving Communion, of recognizing the real presence of Christ there, of the God who is the love above all loves, as we sing in a hymn in Spanish.”

“Bishops have a unique responsibility ... and we must not fail to fulfill it, because everything we do to ensure that the Eucharist is celebrated properly will ensure proper participation in the Eucharist.”

Are we allowed to receive communion on tongue?

Are we allowed to receive communion on tongue? (3)

Godwin Xuereb, Fgura

I have been following the recent correspondence in The Sunday Times over the past weeks regarding the manner of receiving Holy Communion.

May I point out that, a year ago, in July 2009, the Roman Congregation for Divine Worship had forwarded the following reply (Prot. N. 655/09/L) to a query from the United Kingdom regarding the right of the faithful to receive Holy Communion on the tongue:

"This Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments wishes to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated June 22, 2009, regarding the right of the faithful to receive Holy Communion on the tongue.

"This dicastery observes that its instruction Redemptionis Sacramentum (March 25, 2004) clearly stipulates that 'each of the faithful always has the right to receive Holy Communion on the tongue' (n. 92), nor is it licit to deny Holy Communion to any of Christ's faithful who are not impeded by law from receiving the Holy Eucharist (cf. n. 91).

"The Congregation thanks you for bringing this important matter to its attention. Be assured that the appropriate contacts will be made."

I would also like to draw Z** P*******'s attention - and that of other like-minded people - to the Pro Tridentina (Malta) group and its interest in celebrating the Holy Mass in line with the 1962 edition of the ritus antiquior as recently sanctioned by Pope Benedict XVI's motu proprio. Summorum Pontificium. Our e-mail address is president@protridentina.org.