Posted on 07/16/2004 6:09:37 PM PDT by narses
Reviewer: jim.moriarty@xxxxxxxxx Sylvania, Ohio United States)
This confirms what I thought was going on in the Novus Ordo Church. These priests see the Liberal-Modernist overtones of the New Mass and reject it. They literally go through HELL to get back to the sacrificing priest concept who offers up Jesus Christ for our sins, like in the Old Testament, not a Good Time "Happy Meal" as the Novus Ordo has it. I didn't want to put it down. These men are REAL HEROES, bucking the Catholic establishment, giving up EVERYTHING, (pension, medical insurance, housing, etc.) for their beliefs.
Some are even "suspended", and/or without faculties, and literally cast aside by their Liberal Bishops. Yet they persevere giving the True Mass to the faithful. Many are 25-40 years into their priesthood. They are sure of their actions to a man. INSPIRING! HOPEFUL! The future of the Catholic Church as the sex scandals blow up on all sides!! A MUST READ for all Catholics who know somethings' wrong, but just couldn't put their finger on it. THIS puts the finger ON IT!!! IN SPADES!!
Ping. If you've read the book, please indicate with your commnets.
I have the book. I've read parts of it. My beloved Msgr. R's story is there. He is wonderful, wonderful, wonderful. Brilliant. I finally met him in person and spent two hours talking to him. Msgr. R said around the time of Vatican II, and perhaps before, the modernist theologians were becoming quite active. The priests believed those at the top would take action to neutralize them. Instead, VII happened and the modernists took control. He believes we are in a time of great heresy and persecution for all believers is coming.
This is the book that’s been sent to every Catholic priest in the United States —all 45,915 of them! Over 300 have actually begun correspondance with the priests involved and with the SSPX.
I've read it also. Very well done, very compelling.
The book that’s been sent to every Catholic priest in the United States —all 45,915 of them!
Seventeen Roman Catholic priests (none of whom are formally members of the Society of Saint Pius X) explain why they celebrate the old rite of the Latin Mass instead of the New Mass. In question and answer format, these priests tell their trials and triumphs over the Novus Ordo establishment. Inspiring and often heroic examples of fidelity to their priestly vocation.
One of the featured priests wrote this article on St Joseph recently published in The Angelus...
http://www.sspx.ca/Angelus/2004_April/Heart_St_Joseph.htm
and posted here...
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/1173003/posts
Probably every traditionalist priest has a story of struggle to relate; at least some of these situations are now starting to appear in print.
I read the book, and though the arguments presented were good, the book itself was poorly edited and conceived.
Unfortunately with priests with whom I've discussed this book, the common concern was that the book belittles the first and primary hurdle for any priest, especially our retired priests here. These priests need to know exactly how they are going to make a living if they cut their ties to Rome, and what exactly it means in real terms to be suspended a divinis from the Church by a validly ordained bishop of the Church.
Priests here for a long time never contributed to social security, so in their retirement the only income they have is their diocesan pension, and their only healthcare is their diocesan health plan.
I think they need to do a revised edition of the book where these issues are realistically addressed right up front.
The book seems to belittle these concerns, which IMO has kept many priests from responding to the message of the book itself.
Haven't been able to get a copy of it yet.
"These priests need to know exactly how they are going to make a living if they cut their ties to Rome, ..."
Yep. For most of them, it's a JOB. So very sad.
Tan has it, the Remnant bookstore does as well.
That is a cruel, unjustly broad mischaracterization, Narses.
I don't talk much with priests who consider their priesthood "just a job." Furthermore, those priests would simply throw away this book.
I was talking about retired priests who might come out of retirement and say the Tridentine Mass. However, if they did so, they would be persecuted and left destitute by their bishops, who control their pensions and health benefits.
Try to tell a priest that takes a couple hundreds dollars worth of medication a month to "just have faith" when they will literally die if they can't afford their meds.
Try to be a little more charitable in how you answer this time, OK? I think your FReepmail to us would be a good thing to review first.
Yes it is, but based on the book and your comments, it is a dominant issue within the secular or diocesan priesthood. Benefits, pay and pensions matter more than God. I saw a poster suggest diocesan priests vow poverty, I agree. If we get mamon out of the way, God has a better chance.
To paraphrase a "singer" named after the Blessed Mother;
I'm a material priest,
in a material world.
One more point, due to the lack of faith based feedback, even pius priests become jaded. They do need to know that the natural needs will be taken care of, but what do they tell you and me? God will provide. And He does! They need to believe that. From a market based perspective, they ought to know that they will be OK, the demand actually far exceeds the supply.
Next point, how many priests walk away from their calling? Too many. Some for sex, others for the rest of the 'world'. If the SSPX or the FSSP started offering just money, what would the USCCB say?
(and ourselves, for that matter)
Exactly. Thank you.
I have read the book, and it's dead on truth!
They gave the book out to everyone at our Chapel, and our dear, dear, late pastor, Fr. Wickens was one of the participants in the book.
It's a crying shame that in the name of defending the Faith, these good and holy priests are literally cast out of their parishes, left to be destitute with no pension, medical coverage, etc. But almost every one of the priests in the book has said, "God will provide", and He has.
Our parish was so generous to Fr. Wickens, that even our Chapel, which was built in 1996, has no mortgage!!
Unfortunately, these holy priests are suffering souls in the Church Militant. Although now, they are well taken care of by the Faithful who are being led by them, they continue to be harrassed by the Liberals and Modernists. Modernists are threatened by the courage of these good priests.
As a footnote to this, When Fr. Wickens was on his deathbed, he asked one of the priests who was going to take over his position at our Chapel to "please take care of my flock". He promised him he would. We need more priests like this.
Do you remember when that occurred? I didn't get a copy and right now I'm not in a position to buy a copy.
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