Pope Francis is not heterodox when it comes to devotions to our Blesed Mother, the angels and saints and His Holiness drives progressive liturgists crazy when he incenses the statue of our Blessed Mother which he has placed near the altar at all Masses he celebrates.
And Pope Francis constantly speaks of the real threat of Satan:
ROME - The archangels Michael, Gabriel and Raphael help encourage and accompany Christians on life’s journey and defend them from the devil, Pope Francis said.
While the three archangels serve the Lord and contemplate his glory, God also “sends them to accompany us on the road of life,” the pope said in his homily at morning Mass in the Domus Sanctae Marthae, Sept. 29, the archangels’ feast day.
They have “an important role in our journey toward salvation,” he said. For instance, Michael has been tasked with waging war against the devil, who is a “nuisance in our life.”
The devil seduces everyone, like he did Eve, with convincing arguments and temptations, the pope said.
“The Lord asks (Michael) to wage war,” he said, and “Michael helps us wage war, to not be seduced.”
Gabriel, on the other hand, is the bearer of good news, the news of salvation. He, too, is with the people and helps when “we forget” the Gospel and forget that “Jesus came to be with us” to save us.
Raphael, the pope said, is the one who “walks with us,” protecting people from the “seduction of taking the wrong step.”
The pope asked that people pray: “Michael, help us in the fight; everyone knows what battle they are facing in their lives today. Every one of us knows the fundamental battle - the one that puts salvation at risk. Help us.
“Gabriel, bring us news, bring us the Good News of salvation, that Jesus is with us, that Jesus has saved us, and give us hope,” he continued. “Raphael, take us by the hand and help us on the journey to not go the wrong way, to not remain immobile, always walking, but helped by you.”
31 comments:
I don't know why. But on the rare occasions that Pope Francis actually says something Catholic I totally dismiss him. I just can't bring myself to trust anything that man says. There is always this "feeling" I get whenever I see or hear him that makes me suspicious of everything he says or does. I mean how can a man hold that Communist hammer and sickle "crucifix" and the next be kissing statues and denouncing the devil. The disconnect to me is obvious of the existence of a personality disorder in the man. I don't know. I just don't trust him and I would never follow his advice in the moral or spiritual life because of it. That's hard for me to deal with because I was brought up to revere the pope and follow his teaching and example. But Francis is different. I don't know why but from the moment he came out on that balcony I had an uneasy feeling about him that has never left and has grown greater.
I have appreciated greatly Pope Francis' many comments in regard to Angels. I also appreciated greatly Pope Francis' many declarations against Satan. I benefit daily from Pope Francis' teachings as he defends and promotes the True Religion.
Pope Francis said that we should not pay attention to claims that he said this or that...the manner in which various forces spin his comments. Instead Pope Francis exhorted us to pay attention to his comments...his actual comments.
When I first turned to Pope Francis' actual declarations, I realized that the right-wing and left-wing had lied to me about Pope Francis. Pope Francis, the, if you will, "real" Pope Francis, is a true son of Holy Mother Church...an orthodox defender and promoter of the Faith.
The right-wing and left-wing, within the blogosphere most particularly, will, by and large, refuse to publicize Pope Francis' remarks uttered about Angels and Satan uttered yesterday.
His beautiful, orthodox comments in question do not fit the right-wing/left-wing narrative that has mischaracterized Pope Francis.
Besides, on the blogs, certainly the right-wing blogs, Pope Francis' comments in question don't allow folks to trash him as "the Evil Clown...a heretic."
Gotta focus on controversy to keep comment boxes filled...to keep traffic flowing to blogs...to sell merchandise on certain blogs...to satisfy the "Pope Francis is vomit, the Evil Clown" customers happy.
But I have benefitted spiritually, in most abundant fashion, from His Holiness Pope Francis. I will spread the word today among my brothers and sisters inside and outside the Church as to Pope Francis' teachings offered yesterday in regard to Angels...and the warning about the devil.
Deo gratias for Pope Francis.
Pax.
Mark Thomas
Please pray for our persecuted sister in Jesus Christ, Asia Bibi.
https://aleteia.org/2017/09/18/asia-bibi-has-spent-more-than-3000-days-in-prison-for-blasphemy/
I am glad the Pope highlights the presence of Angels and the influence of Satan. I will admit to being a little cautious when a Latin person does this as it often begins to sink into superstition and even paganism. I don't think the Holy Father is doing this, but I think he should be mindful of that risk for the people that hear his words, the same lapse that he had with Amoris Laetitia.
The pope asked that people pray: “Michael, help us in the fight; everyone knows what battle they are facing in their lives today. Every one of us knows the fundamental battle — the one that puts salvation at risk. Help us."
"...puts salvation at risk."
Archangels have “an important role in our journey toward salvation..."
Those are very powerful teachings offered to us by His Holiness Pope Francis.
Father McDonald, perhaps during your sermons this weekend, you may wish to quote Pope Francis' declarations yesterday related to Archangels. It is amazing that many bishops and priests have failed to promote Church teachings related to Angels (as well as Satan).
That is true most especially as Pope Francis noted that Archangels play an important role is "our journey toward salvation."
Wow!
Thanks to Pope Francis, as well as Father McDonald having promoted the current story about Angels, I will renew today my devotion to Angels.
Deo gratias for Pope Francis, as well as Father McDonald.
Pax.
Mark Thomas
Mark Thomas said... "Pope Francis said that we should not pay attention to claims that he said this or that...the manner in which various forces spin his comments. Instead Pope Francis exhorted us to pay attention to his comments...his actual comments. When I first turned to Pope Francis' actual declarations, I realized that the right-wing and left-wing had lied to me about Pope Francis.
Not only do the "right-wing" and the "left-wing" lie to you about what Pope Francis says; the Vatican itself lies to you as well.
Remember when you implied that Pope Francis never used the term "disciples of Satan" because the approved English translation of the Vatican website changed the words to "ungodly secretaries" and you bought the lie hook, line, and sinker?
I have always maintained that Francis is a good homilist. His 'fervorini' are devotional and orthodox, and he can employ a felicitous turn of phrase which comes over even in translation.
This does not excuse the mean-spirited and inaccurate comments he has made about fellow-Catholics in interviews and elsewhere (Evangelii Gaudium, for example).
There's more to being pope than preaching an attractive sermon.
A clock that runs backwards is correct twice as often as one that's stopped.
rcg said.."I am glad the Pope highlights the presence of Angels and the influence of Satan. I will admit to being a little cautious when a Latin person does this as it often begins to sink into superstition and even paganism. I don't think the Holy Father is doing this..."
rcg, I am Latin Catholic but am blessed in that I have Maronite heritage as well. I am aware of the Latin Church's influence upon the Maronite Church. But during the past few decades, Maronites (and Eastern Catholicism as a whole) have moved to restore "authentic" Maronite spirituality to the Maronite Church as She's shed Latinisms.
(A few Maronites (and additional Eastern Catholics) have gone to the extreme via the Zoghby Initiative.)
But Pope Francis' teachings about Angels and Satan are in line with Maronite/Eastern Catholic thinking...not that you said otherwise.
As you said, you don't think "that the Holy Father is doing this..."
I am sure that Eastern Catholics relate to Pope Francis' comments in question. That said, I am not around the Maronite Church (or additional Eastern Catholic Churches) daily.
Therefore, your Eastern perspective ("I will admit to being a little cautious when a Latin person does this as it often begins to sink into superstition and even paganism") about Latins and talk about Angels and Satan interests me.
I lack the daily contact with Eastern Catholicism that you enjoy.
One thing...beginning as a teenager, His Holiness Pope Francis worshiped often via Eastern Catholic Divine Liturgies. During his days in Argentina, Pope Francis served as Ordinary to Eastern Catholics.
When, immediately following his election as Pope, His Holiness Pope Francis presented himself to the Faithful gathered at St. Peter's Basilica. Pope Francis bowed to the Faithful as he requested their prayers.
Pope Francis had referenced the ancient Catholic (perhaps more familiar to Eastern Catholics) practice related to "Axios!"
Some "traditional" Latin Catholics, ignorant of the ancient Catholic tradition in which the clergy presented themselves to the Faithful to be deemed worthy...Axios!...denounced Pope Francis as a "modernist" who had requested approval from the laity.
I note Pope Francis' familiarity with Eastern Catholic spirituality to offer that the Holy Father also thinks and believes with the mind and heart of an Eastern Catholic.
Thank you.
Pax.
Mark Thomas
DJR, I recall our conservation in question. I believe that that occurred on Vox's blog. Anyway...
The Vatican doesn't "lie" about Pope Francis. By the way, I know that your purpose is to take a dig at me...you proved me wrong...you are keen to remind me of that...but I appreciated your correction. I am pleased that you had set the record straight.
Back to the incident...the English-language translation of the phrase in question was not identical to the additional Vatican translations that you cited. But the meaning was similar.
Again, while the English-language translation contained a slight difference as compared to the Spanish and Italian translations in question, one could discern the Pope's point in question.
Anyway the bottom line is that anybody who pays attention to Pope Francis' actual teachings, as presented by the Vatican, will realize that the "real" Pope Francis is far different from the right/left-wing spin doctors' versions of Pope Francis.
There is a reason as to why, for example, right-wing "traditional" Catholic comment boxes are filled with such nonsense as..."Pope Francis (Who am I to judge') approves of homosexuality...he NEVER mentions the persecutions of Middle Eastern Christians...he NEVER talks about abortion...never gives his blessings to pro-life marchers...he never promotes Indulgences and devotions..."
Too many folks have based their understanding of Pope Francis upon right/left-wing blogs, as well as secular news outlets, where Pope Francis is misrepresented daily.
DJR, I will rely with confidence upon Rome to disseminate information about Pope Francis.
Thank you.
Pax.
Mark Thomas
DJR said..."Not only do the "right-wing" and the "left-wing" lie to you about what Pope Francis says; the Vatican itself lies to you as well.
"Remember when you implied that Pope Francis never used the term "disciples of Satan" because the approved English translation of the Vatican website changed the words to "ungodly secretaries" and you bought the lie hook, line, and sinker?"
You classify that as the Vatican having lied? Wow! That is bizarre.
DJR, you know for fact that the English-language translator(s) in question lied? You know for a fact that the translator(s) did not commit a simple, honest mistake?
The person or persons who produced the English-language translation rendered two words a bit differently from the French, Italian, German, Spanish, and Portuguese translations in question.
That constituted "lying" by the Vatican? Really?
DJR, if the Vatican is unreliable to the point of having trafficked in "lies" about Pope Francis' teachings/declarations, then why were you, via the Vatican's web site, able to produce accurate translations of the Pope's comment in question?
Pax.
Mark Thomas
So now I see where Pope Francis has, this morning, appointed Card. Burke back to a seat on the Apostolic Signatura, where he was Prefect (like chief justice) until 2014. 'Glad to hear it but what gives?
Henry,
Touche!
Mark Thomas said,
"I note Pope Francis' familiarity with Eastern Catholic spirituality to offer that the Holy Father also thinks and believes with the mind and heart of an Eastern Catholic".
Though he might be familiar with Eastern Catholic spirituality, I would never confuse HH with having either the mind or heart of an Eastern Catholic. His fondness for a 'mess', his demeanor at the altar, his approach to liturgy, not Eastern. He wants change, an Easterner would want to know "Why? Is something broken". I could go on but, he in no way employs that to which he was exposed. At all. Weak argument.
And, Mark Thomas, should you choose to respond, please kindly keep it brief and shelve the Minister of Propaganda speak. It is too much to fight through. I haven't the energy for it.
Joseph Johnson,
Wreaks of ulterior motive to me.
Mark Thomas: "DJR, if the Vatican is unreliable to the point of having trafficked in "lies" about Pope Francis' teachings/declarations, then why were you, via the Vatican's web site, able to produce accurate translations of the Pope's comment in question?"
Easily answered: Obviously not everyone in the Vatican lies. It was the English language people who did so. They changed the pope's words.
That was a lie.
Every other translation, without exception, had "disciples of Satan."
And it wasn't the first time. They changed his words when he was speaking about the validity of marriages also.
You say now: "Again, while the English-language translation contained a slight difference..." and that the rendition was done "a bit differently," and also, "but the meaning was similar."
But last year you said:
"Vox, the Vatican's official transcript of Pope Francis' remark in question differs dramatically from the above. The Pope's actual words and, just as important, the context, render things quite different from the initial quote."
After quoting the inaccurate passage about "ungodly secretaries," you stated:
"Wow! How different than...'There are parishes with parish secretaries who seem to be 'disciples of Satan'..."
Last year you stated that it "differed dramatically," that it was "quite different," to the point that you said "Wow" with an exclamation point. "How different...," et cetera.
Now you're stating there was "a slight difference."
That's not exactly being forthright.
You did not believe last year that "ungodly secretaries" is "slightly different" from "disciples of Satan," and you don't believe that now either. You're not being honest with your readers.
I saved that thread, and you happened to contribute to it. And, yes, as the quote demonstrates, it was on the Vox Cantoris website.
So, yes, "the Vatican" lies. Not everyone in the Vatican, obviously. But it's a demonstrable fact that some of them do. And the term "the Vatican" covers a plethora of people.
Mark, there have been falsehoods about "right wing Catholics" posted on this website. I won't bother to post them, nor will I mention who posted them, but I saved those threads also because they were so false.
By the way, I don't dislike you. Not at all. Quite the opposite.
I'll stop picking on you now.
The Vicar of Christ is under attack by Satan, who, sadly, has deceived certain "traditionalists" into believing that God supports "traditionalists" who have set themselves above His Holiness Pope Francis.
I pray that our Cardinals and bishops establish a special day of prayer and fasting to encourage the Holy People of God to rally around Pope Francis...to form a spiritual barrier to protect Pope Francis from the Satanic attacks against His Holiness that have emerged from within the Church.
There isn't any question that Catholics who love Pope Francis and know that he is an orthodox, holy man, outnumber greatly those who have trampled Pope Francis via insults and lies.
Pope Francis' teachings yesterday on the Angels would be the perfect starting point for the special day of prayer and fasting for Pope Francis' protection.
That is, our Cardinals and bishops could call special attention to the role that Angels and Archangels play in protecting the Pope, not to mention the entire Holy People of God.
The special day in question would not only serve to protect Pope Francis, but serve also to call powerful attention to Catholic teachings related to the Angels...as well as rekindle devotions to Angels.
The Holy People of God need to rally around Pope Francis as Satanic forces have been unleashed to attempt to destroy our beloved Holy Father.
Our holy Culture of Life Pope Francis needs our prayers, love, and protection.
May our Cardinals and bishops in a special way call upon the Angels to defend His Holiness Pope Francis against the horrific attacks that have been unleashed against the Vicar of Christ.
Pax.
Mark Thomas
Mark Thomas,
One other thing, in the Eastern Church, I cannot speak to the Oriental Church, one who us ordained to an office and, subsequently vested as one would be for that office or, receives an awkward such as a gold or pectoral cross or, a mitre is presented to the congregation afterward with the exclamation by the bishop, Axios! They neither present themselves this way not do the faithful make this determination on their own. HH bowing down before the people was of his own doing, this is not a Byzantine tradition. Joseph P. please correct any inaccuracies with these statements.
ByzRC, thank you for the information.
Deo volente, later today I'll retrieve Major Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk's (Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church) declaration that Pope Francis presented himself to the Faithful in line with ancient Byzantine Catholic tradition.
I am far more familiar with Maronite tradition than Byzantine tradition. I adhered
simply to the Major Archbishop's comments in question.
I will add that via my understanding of "axios" as practiced in the Latin Church, I recognized the tradition of "axios" in the manner in which Pope Francis presented him to the Faithful on the day of his election as Pope.
But I recognize that you, not I, possess great knowledge in regard to the Byzantine tradition.
Thank you.
Pax.
Mark Thomas
Award. Not, awkward. Sitting outside catching a smoke trying to type on my phone's small keyboard with big fingers
If Pope Francis truly had an eastern heart, he would seek to keep things as Traditional as possible, Liturgically, theologically, as well as his personal praxis. An Eastern Bishop would not reject the finest vestments, or choir dress. An Eastern Bishop would consider the Liturgy a gift, and not something to mess around with. Someone who is Eastern would know the struggles of the Eastern churches against Communism and not undermine it with kissing a hammer and sickle cross. I'll say he has Eastern sympathies, but hardly operates very Eastern.
The only time the priest bows to the congregation is before at the time of the kiss of peace during the Liturgy, outside of this context it truly isn't traditional.
I can't take the Pope seriously anymore....
From 2013 A.D:
"Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk said Pope Francis' simplicity and commitment to a new form of evangelization was exemplified when he came out onto the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica for the first time March 13 and bowed as he asked people to pray for him and ask God to bless him.
"He spontaneously rejected the kingship of the papacy," the archbishop said.
"This is the way of the very ancient church," Archbishop Shevchuk said, and it is something still seen today in the Byzantine ordinations of priests and bishops.
"The candidate is first presented to the people who must proclaim him "axios" or "worthy."
"The new pope knows the Byzantine liturgy and the Ukrainian Catholic Church from his youth, the archbishop said. As a student at a Salesian school in Buenos Aires, he would wake up early each morning and go to Divine Liturgy with Ukrainian Father Stepan Chmil, who is now deceased.
"As archbishop of Buenos Aires, Cardinal Bergoglio also served as the ordinary for Eastern Catholics who did not have their own bishops in Argentina.
"As ordinary, he was responsible for ensuring Eastern Catholics had their own priests and for guaranteeing their pastoral care.
"Archbishop Shevchuk said Pope Francis was present several times when he presided over a Byzantine Divine Liturgy during meetings of the Argentine bishops' conference, to which they both belonged."
Pax.
Mark Thomas
Mark Thomas,
First, this is not an official declaration by His Beatitude. Second, as mentioned by Fr Fox, the proper way to reflect a year is AD 2013 or, the year of our Lord, 2013. Last, please read the attached regarding the non-sacramental, scriptural and now symbolic role of the people relative to the Axios. By reviewing, his intent should then become clear.
https://orthodoxwiki.org/Axios
ByzRC said..."First, this is not an official declaration by His Beatitude."
Why do the comments in question need to be official?
Anyway, upon his election as the Bishop of Rome, His Holiness Pope Francis presented himself to the Faithful in line with an ancient Latin Catholic Tradition.
Pope Francis was also in line with ancient Byzantine Catholic tradition, according to Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchu, major archbishop of the Ukrainian Catholic Church.
ByzRC, you say otherwise. Okay. That is the way that things stand.
ByzRC, thank you.
Pax.
Mark Thomas
ByzRC said..."Second, as mentioned by Fr Fox, the proper way to reflect a year is AD 2013 or, the year of our Lord, 2013."
Okay. But I have my way of writing, for example, 2017 A.D.
Once upon a time, somebody invented the "proper way" in question. But I invented my version of the "proper way."
Thank you.
Pax.
Mark Thomas
Mark Thomas said...
ByzRC, thank you for the information.
Deo volente, later today I'll retrieve Major Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk's (Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church) declaration that Pope Francis presented himself to the Faithful in line with ancient Byzantine Catholic tradition.
ByzRC, you say otherwise. Okay. That is the way that things stand.
Where did I say this??? No need to answer.
Please read the attached regarding the non-sacramental, scriptural and now symbolic role of the people relative to the Axios. By reviewing, his intent should then become clear.
https://orthodoxwiki.org/Axios
Mark Thomas said...
Once upon a time, somebody invented the "proper way" in question. But I invented my version of the "proper way."
You know, sometimes in life, it pays to just fall into line. You know, be one of the guys....don't stick out having people wondering why....that sort of thing. Fr. Fox took the time to provide guidance, you could have at least thanked him.
Fr. McDonald,
I note that 10 of the 25 comments in this thread--40% by number but perhaps 80% by word count--come from the same person. For all I know, they may all be excellent comments--I don't read multiple comments with duplicate authorship--but however worthy individually, they collectively violate generally accepted blog standards of commentator etiquette. Therefore, let me mention the following exemplary statement of comment guidelines adapted from another blog:
It’s no secret that trolls exist, and trolls can do a lot of damage to a blog. Therefore, our comments are carefully moderated. Demeaning, hostile, or needlessly combative comments are not accepted. Multiple comments from one person under an article are also discouraged.
Henry -
You are 100% correct. I feel compelled to apologize for participating in this volleying. I was, however, trying to correct inaccuracies found within certain posts. I should not have drug my Eastern brother, Joe P. into this either.
These tangents often take us away, at times, hopelessly so, from the topic being considered which, is terribly unfair to those actually interested in considering that particular topic. Second, despite receiving similar replies from some, there is resistance to this and, sometimes, an eagerness to take things too literally. At the end, no closure, just stalemate.
With this being said, I will cease posting on this topic.
After the reign of Augustus Caesar (27 BC to AD 14) it is usually unnecessary to preface a date with Anno Domini. MT's idiosyncrasy lies not in his positioning of the letters (which is indeed incorrect) but in his use of them in the first place.
I wonder how many adults actually know what the letters stand for?
Not long ago I heard a lecturer refer to 'the fourth century of the Christian era' To have said 'the fourth century AD' is obviously incorrect. The BCE/CE designation has been around some time, although it has generally not found favour with either historians or the general public, at least on this side of the pond. A couple of years ago the BBC ruled against its use.
However, if we understand CE as Christian Era rather than Common Era it might just make sense to adopt it. It won't happen though; the terminology is seen as too PC.
John Nolan,
The whole BCE and CE nonsense is just more left-wing loonism trying to hide our history. It's pathetic and doesn't really fool anyone. In the US, the PC loons try desperately to avoid the mention of Christmas so instead they opt instead for wishing one a "Happy Holiday." When an acquaintance of mine wished me Happy Holiday in December, I asked him which Holiday he was referring to? After his mouth dropped, he begrudgingly wished me Merry Christmas.
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