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“. . . And in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness” (2 Peter 1:6). Godly perseverance is a sure evidence of true salvation. Commentator Michael Green has this to say about the believer who displays biblical perseverance: “The mature Christian does not give up. His Christianity is like the steady burning of a star rather than the ephemeral brilliance (and speedy eclipse) of a meteor.” The Greek word translated “perseverance” in today’s verse (hupomone) refers to consistent endurance in righteousness and faithfulness in resisting temptation. The precise meaning for hupomone is hard to pinpoint. There is no exact...

[Catholic Caucus] FOR THE RECORD: Superior of FSSP discusses Synopsis of French Bishops' TLM SurveyConsidering how the Synopsis of the French Bishops' Survey on the TLM is being weaponized against traditional Catholics, it seems fitting to present here, for the record, a translation of the interview that Fr. Benoît Paul-Joseph, the superior of the FSSP's French district, gave to La Salon Beige on June 7, 2021. Recall that Fr. Paul-Joseph has met now twice with Pope Francis and may be considered to be in possession of the salient facts both at home and in Rome. - PK(Salon-Beige introduction:) Following rumors...

[Catholic Caucus] On the Suppression of the TLM on the Covadonga PilgrimageAn ominous sign indicating the credibility of the reports that discuss a further suppression of the Apostolic Roman Rite by the Roman Curia of “Mercy” was the recent announcement by the Vatican prohibiting the celebration of the Gregorian Rite at the Shrine of Our Lady of Covadonga on the final day of the Our Lady of Christendom pilgrimage in Asturias, Spain.At the Archdiocese of Oviedo they have informed us that they have received instructions from the Dicastery for Divine Worship stating that the Traditional Holy Mass is not to...

“And in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance . . .” (2 Peter 1:6). Personal self-control demonstrates the certainty of your salvation. In Peter’s day, the word translated “self-control” was used to describe athletes. The successful ones abstained from sexual activity and an unhealthy diet for the sake of disciplined training exercises. You practice personal self-control when you control your desires and don’t allow them to control you. Let me share some practical tips that have helped me with self-control. 1. Start small. For example, begin by cleaning your bedroom or office, then extend that discipline to the...

[Catholic Caucus] Some Reflections for Our Catholic Friends Who Freely Denounce Traditional CatholicsAs Catholics, we hear that we are schismatics, heretics, and enemies of the Church; as those who refuse to take experimental Covid shots, we hear that we are science-deniers and enemies of society. And, thanks be to God, none of that unhinged nonsense impels us to abandon what we know is right.“And why seest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye; and seest not the beam that is in thy own eye? Or how sayest thou to thy brother: Let me cast the mote out of...

[Catholic Caucus] Father James Martin’s pro-LGBT fundraiser hosted by ‘married’ homosexualsThe Jesuit priest thanked the two men for their support of LGBT activism in the Church.Fr. James Martin at the Outreach fundraiser, July 2024.Father James Martin S.J.’s pro-LGBT group had its recent fundraiser hosted by two “married” homosexual men in a seemingly recurring event. In a social media post, the prolific LGBT advocate and Jesuit priest revealed details of the latest fundraiser for his pro-LGBT group, Outreach. “Thanks again to Brian Stevens and Alex Capecelatro for hosting a fundraising dinner for Outreach at their beautiful home in Provincetown, Mass,” Martin...

[Catholic Caucus] Chaldean Cardinal Rejects "Blessing" of Homosexual CouplesThe Chaldean Church, the Catholics in Iraq, rejects Francis’ homosexual pamphlet 'Traditionis custodes' and the [pseudo] blessing of homosexual couples.Their synod passed a resolution last week, Cardinal Louis Raphaël I. Sako announced on ChaldeanPatriarchate.com (July 22):"The Chaldean Church in Iraq and throughout the world does not consider same-sex unions to be marriage, as it considers marriage between a man and a woman to be the legally valid marriage for the establishment of a family. It refuses to bless same-sex unions in order to preserve the sanctity of marriage, which is one of...

After receiving a vivid vision of the Rapture, a Christian college student records an urgent audio cassette message describing end time events and sharing the Gospel with his unbelieving family. Director: Fred Carpenter Cast: A.J. Merrill, Leigh Lombardi, John Shannon

“. . . in your moral excellence, knowledge” (2 Peter 1:5). Moral excellence cannot develop in an intellectual vacuum. It’s a frightening thing to realize the extent to which our culture downplays knowledge in favor of emotions. These days people are more likely to ask, “How will it make me feel?” instead of, “Is it true?” Sadly, the church has bought into the spirit of the age. Many people go to church, not to learn the truths of God’s Word, but to get an emotional high. The focus of theological discussion also reflects the contemporary hostility to knowledge. To a...

From Pius XII to Paul VI to Cardinal Roche: The Difference One Word Can Make - Article by Paolo PasqualucciThe current Catholic hierarchy, starting with the Pope, often refers to the Second Vatican Council (1962-1965) as the basis for the “reforms” it continues to carry out in the constitution of the Church (with synodality), in doctrine (with the ecumenical Declaration of Abu Dhabi), in Christian morality (with unprecedented concessions - liturgical and otherwise - to irregular couples of all kinds) and to justify its constant fight against the ancient rite of the Mass, also known as the “traditional Mass”, whose...

[Catholic Caucus] "Request from Rome": Nuns of Pontcalec Introduce Novus OrdoThe Dominican Sisters of Pontcalec, still an institute of the Roman Rite, announced on 7 July during Sunday Mass that at their retreat (27 July to 2 August) the community Mass would be celebrated according to the Novus Ordo Missae.This measure was taken at "the request from Rome".The news was published in an open letter on LeForumCatholique.org (21 July) by outraged faithful who have settled near the monastery precisely to attend the Roman Mass with their families. They now feel betrayed.They write that the nuns are about "to abandon the...

“Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence” (2 Peter 1:5). God’s provision does not preclude our responsibility. There are some who believe that since God has provided everything needed for the Christian life, believers should expect Him to do everything for them. Their motto is, “Let go and let God!” If Peter had a motto for the Christian life, it would have been more along the lines of the popular World War II song, “Praise the Lord and Pass the Ammunition!” Peter knew the Christian life is a struggle in which believers...

[Catholic Caucus] Tradition and Traditionalism: Let us not be "men of little faith" - by Father Richard CipollaFather Richard CipollaIn that by now well -read article posted at Messa in Latino just a few weeks ago in which a representative of that web site engaged in a conversation with Andrea Grillo, the famous (or infamous) professor of Sacramental Theology at the Pontifical University of Sant’Anselmo in Rome, I was of course, struck by Professor Grillo’s un-Catholic statement that “Tradition is the future”. The image that sprang to my mind is the Mad Hatter’s tea party in Alice in Wonderland. Or...

[Catholic Caucus] Why the Attempt to Ban the Latin Mass Is FailingThe inability to shut down the traditional Latin Mass reflects the different between power and authority in the papacy.There has been much chatter on the interwebs lately about possible further restrictions being imposed upon the celebration of the classical Roman Rite, or the Traditional Latin Mass, as it is often called. However, it appears that such rumors are not going to materialize for now, even as the Vatican liturgical office devises new ways to express its contempt for those who attend celebrations of the TLM, in addition to the...

The Good, the Bad, and the Fiendishly Synodal at the National Eucharistic CongressEucharistic revival and synodality go together. Or to put it another way, I believe that we will have true Eucharistic revival when we experience the Eucharist as the sacrament of Christ’s incarnation: as the Lord walking with us together on the way.” (Cardinal Christophe Pierre, the Apostolic Nuncio to the United States, November 14, 2023)In his essay about converting to Catholicism in The Road to Damascus, Evelyn Waugh wrote of the self-evident logic that led him to conclude that if Christianity was true, the Catholic Church must be...

Three factory workers make their routine stop at a diner late one night. Just before closing, a man comes in and takes a seat at the counter. One of the workers, an antagonist named Larry, tries to strike up a conversation with the man but he doesn't respond. Disturbed by this, Larry persists and finds out the man is a Christian. What follows is an intense drama about the most important issue in life...and eternity. Writer-Producer-Director: Dave Christiano Cast: Brad Heller, Josh Gaffga, Hugh McLean, Tim Ross

“Therefore, I shall always be ready to remind you of these things, even though you already know them, and have been established in the truth which is present with you” (2 Peter 1:12). Remembering where you’ve been is the key to getting where you want to go. The summer of 1980 was a turning point in my ministry. After nearly a dozen years as pastor of Grace Community Church, I took a three-month sabbatical. In my heart I wasn’t sure if I would come back. I felt I had taught my congregation all I knew, and I feared boring them...

[Catholic Caucus] Institute of Christ the King Kicked Out of an English ChurchRev. John Johnson retired from active ministry at the historic St Mary Church in Wigan, Archdiocese of Liverpool, at the end of 2023 for health reasons and died in April.Archbishop Malcolm McMahon of Liverpool invited the Roman Rite Institute of Christ the King to take over that church.McMahon has a reputation of being rather friendly towards the Mass and has already celebrated it himself.But recently, the Archbishop's invitation came to an abrupt end. At the Mass on 7 July, Canon Cristofoli of the Institute said that he had...

A woman is writing anti-God editorials for her local newspaper. One day a mysterious visitor comes to her office with a message from the Lord. He tells her that on September 19th at 6:05pm she is going to die. Is this a hoax? Or the truth? She has eight days left...and the suspense begins! Writer-Director: Rich Christiano Cast: Karen Jo Briere, Art Oden, Leslie Basham, Jim Ostrander, Frank Rogers

[Catholic Caucus] A pattern on TLM indults being denied and approvedThere is an interesting pattern beginning to develop.Two U.S. dioceses (Baltimore and Richmond) that have the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Peter in them, with personal parishes, will no longer have any diocesan parish traditional Latin Masses offered, despite the noble attempt by the local bishops for renewals of existing two-year parish indults. In the Archdiocese of Baltimore and Diocese of Richmond, no diocesan clergy at diocesan parishes may licitly offer TLMs.On the other hand, two U.S. dioceses (San Antonio and Arlington, Virginia) that do NOT have the Priestly Fraternity of...