Posted on 10/17/2023 10:46:44 AM PDT by ebb tide
The Prefect of the Cause of Saints reproaches his 'companions' for not understanding that 'Ecclesia Semper reformanda'
Cardinal Semeraro on the Dubia cardinals: “The Pope is hurt, but serene”
“The responses to the 'dubia' have been more than enough. Because they explain very well that we must understand that dogma also has to advance, that faith also has to progress.”
"Why, then, are these five of our companions not bothered that the Church does not approve the death penalty or just war? The attitude of these cardinals is committed to an idea of dogma as if it were something material, which cannot be tap"
“At this time, the word reform (giving a new shape) means giving the Church a face that is increasingly similar to the one Christ wanted. The Church always needs to reform, as the famous aphorism says: 'Ecclesia semper reformanda'. And this should not shock anyone.”
“Saints are not exceptional figures. They are not the nobles or the blue blooded people of holiness. "Holiness is a call for everyone."
“The Pope is hurt, but serene.” The prefect of the Cause of Saints, Marcello Semeraro, recognizes that the five cardinals of the 'dubia' are making the Pope suffer, who approaches the situation, however, from "serenity in the face of difficulties" and from "a profound spirituality that “It helps you understand that, even in debate, things are clarified.” However, the cardinal took advantage of his stay in Madrid to reproach his "companions" for not understanding that 'Ecclesia Semper reformanda' and that "dogma also has to advance, that faith also has to progress."
Will the 'Dubia' cardinals ever get tired of harassing the Pope?
(Cathcon: What a question!!!!!!!)
Dubia is a Latin word that does not mean exactly what it is understood in common language. Dubium, in Latin, means request for depth or clarification. In this sense, there have been five cardinals who raised his perplexities with the Pope. In my opinion, the answers that were given and published in the media and in Vatican News have been more than sufficient. Because it explains very well that we must understand that dogma also has to advance, that Faith also has to progress.
But do you believe that those cardinals make that request with good will?
I hope so, but I can't see inside.
Why, then, are they always the same?
This brings us back to the previous question, namely whether they do it with good will or not. Let's say that there are many other cardinals and eminent figures in the Church who, however, do not raise these perplexities. Therefore, I would ask you just one question: In the past, not only the States but also the Church approved the death penalty.
And slavery, for example
Indeed. And in the past, the Church, like the States, approved of war. And there was talk of the theory of just war. The evolution of the situation, culture and current sensitivity say that war must always be condemned. This means, then, that the awareness of the Church's faith grows, just as the maturity of people grows. Furthermore, it is up to the pastors of the Church to discern. Why, then, are these five of our companions not bothered that the Church does not approve of the death penalty or just war? The attitude of these cardinals is committed to an idea of dogma as if it were something material, which cannot be touched.
Does the doctrine evolve?
The faith of the Church is like a life that grows. Saint Jerome, who is a doctor of the Church, says that the understanding of Holy Scripture grows with the faith of the one who is questioning it. This is still true.
So, monsignor, is the Synod thinking about that key to reforming the Church?
The word reform is a word that has a negative meaning, if it comes from a certain use in the Protestant controversy, with Luther. Therefore, the word reform is loaded with meaning. At this time, the word reform (giving a new shape) means giving the Church a face that is increasingly similar to the one Christ wanted. The Church always needs to reform, as the famous aphorism says: 'Ecclesia semper reformanda'. And this should not shock anyone. Just as in life there is renewal and each one of us experiences new situations, new friendships and new relationships, so the Church also lives new situations and does not ask the world to adapt to it, but rather it is the one who sets itself to your service, always available to meet the needs of others.
Is the Pope hurt by the 'attacks' of some of his cardinals?
I have known the Pope for many years, when he was not Pope, and I have always admired his ability to remain calm in the face of difficulties. Furthermore, the Pope relies on a deep spirituality that helps him understand that, even in debate, things are clarified.
Cathcon: There are far too many reports of the less than serene behaviour of the Pope in his dealings with staff when difficulties arise to take this statement in any way seriously.
But is he hurt by these attacks?
Hurt yes, but serene.
Why are there more classical saints than saints next door?
Saints next door is an image with which Francis refers to what another Pope, John Paul II, called the full measure of Christian life. This image, used by the Pope, proclaims something central to the teaching of Vatican II. Indeed, chapter 5 of the Constitution on the Church speaks of the universal vocation (call) (of all) to holiness.
Can we all be saints?
Indeed, saints are not exceptional figures. They are not the nobles or the blue blooded people of holiness. Holiness is a calling for everyone. In fact, Saint Francis de Sales, in the introduction to his work 'The Devout Life', assures that holiness is a mystery that is realized even in barracks, in merchants' shops or in any home. That is to say, the call to holiness is not only for nuns, friars and priests or for these great figures. No. For this reason, one of the most beautiful tasks of the dicastery today is to discover these humble figures who, in the end, demonstrate their heroism.
For example, the Pope, two or three weeks ago, in a Wednesday catechesis spoke about José Gregorio Hernández, a doctor from Venezuela, who dedicated his entire life to his profession, but helping the poor. In fact, he died in a road accident when he was going to help the poor. For the Church, he is a venerable and the cause for beatification is already being examined.
Ping
The Apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Akita, Japan,
to Sr. Agnes Sasagawa
The extraordinary events began on June 12, 1973, when Sr. Agnes saw brilliant mysterious rays emanate suddenly from the tabernacle. The same thing happened on each of the two days that followed.
On June 28, 1973, a cross-shaped wound appeared on the inside left hand of Sr. Agnes. It bled profusely and caused her much pain. On July 6, Sr. Agnes heard a voice coming from the statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the chapel where she was praying. The statue was carved from a single block of wood from a Katsura tree and is three feet tall. On the same day, a few of the sisters noticed drops of blood flowing from the statue’s right hand. On four occasions, this act of blood flow repeated itself. The wound in the statue’s hand remained until September 29, when it disappeared. On September 29, the day the wound on the statue disappeared, the sisters noticed the statue had now begun to “sweat”, especially on the forehead and neck. On August 3, Sr. Agnes received a second message. On October 13, she received a final third message.
Two years later on January 4, 1975, the statue of the Blessed Virgin began to weep. It continued to weep at intervals for the next 6 years and eight months. It wept on 101 occasions.
The Messages to Sr. Agnes
July 6, 1973
“My daughter, my novice, you have obeyed me well in abandoning all to follow me. Is the infirmity of your ears painful? Your deafness will be healed, be sure. Does the wound of your hand cause you to suffer? Pray in reparation for the sins of men. Each person in this community is my irreplaceable daughter. Do you say well the prayer of the Handmaids of the Eucharist? Then, let us pray it together.”
“Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, truly present in Holy Eucharist, I consecrate my body and soul to be entirely one with Your Heart, being sacrificed at every instant on all the altars of the world and giving praise to the Father pleading for the coming of His Kingdom.”
“Please receive this humble offering of myself. Use me as You will for the glory of the Father and the salvation of souls.”
“Most holy Mother of God, never let me be separated from Your Divine Son. Please defend and protect me as Your Special Child. Amen.”
When the prayer was finished, the Heavenly Voice said: “Pray very much for the Pope, Bishops, and Priests. Since your Baptism you have always prayed faithfully for them. Continue to pray very much...very much. Tell your superior all that passed today and obey him in everything that he will tell you. He has asked that you pray with fervor.”
August 3, 1973
“My daughter, my novice, do you love the Lord? If you love the Lord, listen to what I have to say to you.”
“It is very important...You will convey it to your superior.”
“Many men in this world afflict the Lord. I desire souls to console Him to soften the anger of the Heavenly Father. I wish, with my Son, for souls who will repair by their suffering and their poverty for the sinners and ingrates.”
“In order that the world might know His anger, the Heavenly Father is preparing to inflict a great chastisement on all mankind. With my Son I have intervened so many times to appease the wrath of the Father. I have prevented the coming of calamities by offering Him the sufferings of the Son on the Cross, His Precious Blood, and beloved souls who console Him forming a cohort of victim souls. Prayer, penance and courageous sacrifices can soften the Father’s anger. I desire this also from your community...that it love poverty, that it sanctify itself and pray in reparation for the ingratitude and outrages of so many men.
Recite the prayer of the Handmaids of the Eucharist with awareness of its meaning; put it into practice; offer in reparation (whatever God may send) for sins. Let each one endeavor, according to capacity and position, to offer herself entirely to the Lord.”
“Even in a secular institute prayer is necessary. Already souls who wish to pray are on the way to being gathered together. Without attaching to much attention to the form, be faithful and fervent in prayer to console the Master.”
After a silence:
“Is what you think in your heart true? Are you truly decided to become the rejected stone? My novice, you who wish to belong without reserve to the Lord, to become the spouse worthy of the Spouse, make your vows knowing that you must be fastened to the Cross with three nails. These three nails are poverty, chastity, and obedience. Of the three, obedience is the foundation. In total abandon, let yourself be led by your superior. He will know how to understand you and to direct you.”
October 13, 1973
“My dear daughter, listen well to what I have to say to you. You will inform your superior.”
After a short silence:
“As I told you, if men do not repent and better themselves, the Father will inflict a terrible punishment on all humanity. It will be a punishment greater than the deluge, such as one will never seen before. Fire will fall from the sky and will wipe out a great part of humanity, the good as well as the bad, sparing neither priests nor faithful. The survivors will find themselves so desolate that they will envy the dead. The only arms which will remain for you will be the Rosary and the Sign left by My Son. Each day recite the prayers of the Rosary. With the Rosary, pray for the Pope, the bishops and priests.”
“The work of the devil will infiltrate even into the Church in such a way that one will see *****cardinals opposing cardinals, bishops against bishops.**** The priests who venerate me will be scorned and opposed by their confreres...churches and altars sacked; the Church will be full of those who accept compromises and the demon will press many priests and consecrated souls to leave the service of the Lord.
“The demon will be especially implacable against souls consecrated to God. The thought of the loss of so many souls is the cause of my sadness. If sins increase in number and gravity, there will be no longer pardon for them”
“With courage, speak to your superior. He will know how to encourage each one of you to pray and to accomplish works of reparation.”
Looks like a nice guy!
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