Posted on 11/05/2006 11:39:19 AM PST by NYer
Today the French bishops opened a meeting at Lourdes, and in his capacity as president of the episcopal conference, Cardinal Jean-Pierre Ricard made the opening speech.
In the course of his address, Cardinal Ricard used the word peur (fear) 11 times, and confiance (confidence, trust) 15 times. He was urging his brother bishops not to panic.
Why would the French bishops be inclined toward panic?
- Because their parish churches are empty, their seminaries emptier, and Catholic parents aren't bothering to bring their children for Baptism? No.
- Because divorce, abortion, fornication, and sodomy are rife; and momentum is building toward general social acceptance of euthanasia and human cloning? No.
- Because Islam now has more practical impact on public policy than Catholicism, in the country once proud to be known as the "eldest daughter of the Church?" No.
- Because the Holy Father might sign a document allowing priests to celebrate Mass using the Tridentine rite? Yup, that's it.
This would be funny if it were true which makes it very, very sad.
I think you're right. Here in France we got the worst bishops in the world. Heretical episcopate. All is said. No hope on this side. It has been lasting for forty years.
The thing that always amazes me is that the French bishops always boast about how "well" the Church is doing, and that the fact that nobody goes to Mass anymore indicates that the Church has really succeeded! How???? The only person who boasts more is Cdl Danneels of Belgium, and Belgium has the lowest Mass attendance and sacramental reception of all the European countries. I just don't understand it.
There is always hope when those like you pray. God often rises up a great saint in these circumstances. Stay prayerful.
I am very touched. Thank you. Actually I agree 100%.
But it is very difficult, as a catholic, to live in a country with no pro-life bishop.
We keep praying every day for you, pro-life American people, and for your great President George Bush.
You are the Country of Hope. You deserve victory. You will win the victory.
Trouble some post !
God Bless you. Prayers for the Church in France tonight.
Theoden
Peut-etre, peut-etre pas. Mon eveque est parmi les plus detestables aux Etats Unis.
Bienvenue a Free Republic!
I maintain a ping list for those interested in news stories about the Catholic Church. Please freepmail me if you wish to be added to the list.
Thank you. But the most important thing is your victory on next tuesday, especially if there's really another replacement at the Supreme Court.
Maybe they don't like the closing prayers after low mass in Tridentine Rite.
BTW, I found this neat version of the St. Michael prayer, this one sort of thunders when you say it.
The Longer Version of the Saint Michael the Archangel Prayer, composed by Pope Leo XIII, 1888
O glorious Archangel Saint Michael, Prince of the heavenly host, be our defense in the terrible warfare which we carry on against principalities and powers, against the rulers of this world of darkness, spirits of evil. Come to the aid of man, whom God created immortal, made in His own image and likeness, and redeemed at a great price from the tyranny of the devil. Fight this day the battle of our Lord, together with the holy angels, as already thou hast fought the leader of the proud angels, Lucifer, and his apostate host, who were powerless to resist thee, nor was there place for them any longer in heaven. That cruel, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil or Satan who seduces the whole world, was cast into the abyss with his angels. Behold this primeval enemy and slayer of men has taken courage. Transformed into an angel of light, he wanders about with all the multitude of wicked spirits, invading the earth in order to blot out the Name of God and of His Christ, to seize upon, slay, and cast into eternal perdition, souls destined for the crown of eternal glory. That wicked dragon pours out. as a most impure flood, the venom of his malice on men of depraved mind and corrupt heart, the spirit of lying, of impiety, of blasphemy, and the pestilent breath of impurity, and of every vice and iniquity. These most crafty enemies have filled and inebriated with gall and bitterness the Church, the spouse of the Immaculate Lamb, and have laid impious hands on Her most sacred possessions. In the Holy Place itself, where has been set up the See of the most holy Peter and the Chair of Truth for the light of the world, they have raised the throne of their abominable impiety with the iniquitous design that when the Pastor has been struck the sheep may be scattered. Arise then, O invincible Prince, bring help against the attacks of the lost spirits to the people of God, and give them the victory. They venerate thee as their protector and patron; in thee holy Church glories as her defense against the malicious powers of hell; to thee has God entrusted the souls of men to be established in heavenly beatitude. Oh, pray to the God of peace that He may put Satan under our feet, so far conquered that he may no longer be able to hold men in captivity and harm the Church. Offer our prayers in the sight of the Most High, so that they may quickly conciliate the mercies of the Lord; and beating down the dragon, the ancient serpent, who is the devil and Satan, do thou again make him captive in the abyss, that he may no longer seduce the nations. Amen.
Verse: Behold the Cross of the Lord; be scattered ye hostile powers.
Response: The Lion of the Tribe of Juda has conquered the root of David.
Verse: Let Thy mercies be upon us, O Lord.
Response: As we have hoped in Thee.
Verse: O Lord hear my prayer.
Response: And let my cry come unto Thee.
Verse: Let us pray. O God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, we call upon Thy holy Name, and as suppliants, we implore Thy clemency, that by the intercession of Mary, ever Virgin, immaculate and our Mother, and of the glorious Archangel Saint Michael, Thou wouldst deign to help us against Satan and all other unclean spirits, who wander about the world for the injury of the human race and the ruin of our souls.
Response: Amen.
http://www.christorchaos.com/articles.html
That should scare the socks off any passing devil!
France was once the first daughter of the Church and there are many of us here who pray that the church will come back in France. Our parish is very involved in the music of Paul Paray a Frenchman who was once the conductor of the Detroit Symphony. There is a beautiful song he wrote called Le Ble Eucharistique (The Eucharistic Wheat)The 5th verse has a special request of God. please forgive I cannot do the proper accents but here it is as best I can write it out for you:
Maitre des mondes, Dieu d'amour, Ce Peupleci vous le demande: Gardez le pain de chaque jour A la bonne race normande. Plus encore: O Saint Sacrement, Pain celeste ou Dieu se dispense, Restez a jamais l'aliment Aime de tous les fils de France
I pray this will be so again. God bless you.
Remember we do not place our hope in Bishops but in Christ and His promise to the Church.
IS there any movement to do anything on behalf of the people or has the "cburch" turned to stone? And - are the clergy all gay?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.