Over the past several months, I’ve received countless emails from readers from all over the world expressing gratitude for the commentary offered here. Many said, “Be prepared; you will be attacked!”
I knew the moment I started down this road that there would be a price to pay; e.g., fewer book sales to parishes, far fewer speaking opportunities, etc. Don’t get me wrong, I need these sources of income, but let the slings and arrows fly. Serving Christ the King (which I pray daily that I am) always involves some kind of Cross.
This week alone (more specifically, Monday alone), I was contacted by two high-profile supporters of the Harvesting the Fruit faith formation series, both asking (one kindly, one not so much) that their names and endorsements be removed from this site. I get it. “Boat rockers” will be given no voice in the diocesan world, even when higher-ups agree with what you’re saying.
Several kind readers have recently written to encourage me to accept donations. I’ve always had, albeit buried in the site, a way for people to help keep this apostolate going, but rather than a flat out donation, I’ve been offering free audio CD’s in return for donations of any size (or none if someone just wants a CD and cannot afford to donate. Seriously.)
Given Monday’s events, I’ve decided to place an “ad” on the right sidebar (full size image below) that invites readers to obtain a CD entitled, “My Father in the Mirror.” In it, over a little less than one hour, I tell the truly amazing story of God’s goodness in reaching out to save this cocky Italian American kid who, after a pretty rough upbringing, walked away from His Church and stayed away for more than a decade and a half.
If not for the encouragement of a wonderful spiritual director, I never would have made this recording, but as he said, it isn’t really about me as much as it is about our Blessed Lord and His Immaculate Mother. With that in mind I have to admit, it really is an amazing story that will elicit both tears and prayers of gratitude alike.
Thanks in advance for considering it.
Please don’t stop writing. The first thing I do in the morning is make my first cup of coffee and hurry to read your blog. I just love it and have learned so much. Thank you so much. Please keep them keep them coming. You just never know what souls you are touching.
God Bless you Mr V….happy to donate and please don`t become discouraged… These characters must think we all live under a rock. … we`re well aware of the times in which we are living and with our counted rosaries and the intercessions of Our Lady we`ll be fine.
“I knew the moment I started down this road that there would be a price to pay; e.g., fewer book sales to parishes, far fewer speaking opportunities, etc. Don’t get me wrong, I need these sources of income, but let the slings and arrows fly. Serving Christ the King (which I pray daily that I am) always involves some kind of Cross.”
Which admission distinguishes you and Michael Voris from the ‘professional Catholic’ set merely.
You know, the ones who are far more concerned with promoting their little cottage industries than advancing the kingdom of God; quicker to explain away the latest papal absurdity than they would defend Our Lady – and with a good deal more devotion at that.
Hold until releived, sir; hold until relieved.
And welcome to the jungle.
Weeks ago I asked were the “donate-button” is.
One of you “high-profile supporters ” is now in the “G8”, isn´t he?
God bless you.
It is an honour being persecuted for defending Christ the King.
Dear Louie, please install a paypal button on your site so people who already have the CD can make “normal” donations without you having to send out CDs again and spend money on shipping costs.
Long live Christ the King!
God bless you Louie! Reminds me of the Beatitudes “Happy are you when people abuse you and persecute you and speak all kinds of calumny against you on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in Heaven.” (Matt 5:11). Also, read the story of St. Anthony Claret…he was in battle most of his life…victories yet died in supposed defeat…only to be canonized decades later. This is where the rubber hits the road…and the true disciples of Christ are unmasked. Glad to be with you on this hard yet noble road:+) God bless~
Dear Louie, just to add my support to that of all the above. I must say that for the first time in all my years as a serving priest I have never felt so abandoned by the Hierarchy of the Church as in these times. Faithful priests and laity are left vulnerable and exposed in the combat as they strive to present and defend the Faith in its full integrity. Most of our commanders seem to have left the field. But I have never in my life known so many traditional Catholics appalled by what they are witnessing and truly alarmed by what they hear from the present Pope. My sense is that things are going to get much worse in the near future and how God will restore his Catholic Church is beyond me but as you rightly point out there will be suffering involved. But please keep up the good work, I have benefited much from your analysis, talks and presentations and I know many others have too. Best wishes and prayers. From Scottish priest with some Italian blood. Lol
I hit the paypal button!
I am a little tired of being persecuted by Catholics for being a devout Catholic who also embraces the TLM when I can. I have become more convinced than ever that the TLM does indeed bring forth the most graces….just considering the disposition of the people present shows that. At the TLM is reverence, silence, modest dress, and true teaching and all those things are lacking in most novus ordo parishes. I rejoined Una Voce too.
Cheers for the boat rockers! Especially when the boat is headed for an ice berg.
If you go to archive.org and plug harvesting’s url in the “waybackmacine”, you’ll on Aug 19th, the Endorsements of Louie’s work read like this:
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George Cardinal Pell – Archbishop of Sydney, Australia
Archbishop Alexander K. Sample – Archbishop of Portland, OR
Bishop R. Walker Nickless – Bishop of Sioux City, IA
Fr. Peter F. Ryan, S.J., S.T.D. – Kenrick-Glennon Seminary, St. Louis, MO
Dr. Marcellino D’Ambrosio, Ph.D. – Internationally known speaker, author, theologian
Mr. James Cavanagh – Director of Evangelization, Archdiocese of Denver
Russell Shaw – Syndicated Columnist
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Now it reads like this:
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George Cardinal Pell – Archbishop of Sydney, Australia
Archbishop Alexander K. Sample – Archbishop of Portland, OR
Bishop R. Walker Nickless – Bishop of Sioux City, IA
Mr. James Cavanagh – Director of Evangelization, Archdiocese of Denver
Russell Shaw – Syndicated Columnist
*
According to my calculus, Fr. Peter F. Ryan and Dr. Marcellino D’Ambrosio have no spines, and one of them no manners. This is not the way priests and theologians should act toward faithful Catholics. Hopefully, they will never have to take a stand themselves for the truth and see people they thought supported them jump ship like rats.
*
Nice work boys.
I don’t know if this constitutes a pep talk, but consider the following:
At this time, many, if not most, baptised souls grow up knowing only a Modernist version of Catholicism. The price you pay for your vocation is the ransom of hearts and minds from that captivity. It’s a corporal and spiritual work of mercy.
Kevin: maybe it’s the brandy but explain. Cicero once said that the man who is ignorant of things that were before he was born remains infantile. do you mean those who know that the worth of God’s plan wasn’t born on their birthday should try to help those who have been dis-bequeathed the vouchsafed and long standing (as in long before were born and long after we’re bones) faith?
God bless you.
I’m surprised that didn’t run away faster. I giggle when I hear about how some guests of Michael Voris’ couldn’t make it at the last minute like Zuhlsdorf or Madrid.
If you’ve ever been on EWTN, you’ve probably been rubbed out of their archives by now like anyone else who went trad, or caused them embarrassment: Fr. Corapi, Fr. Mary, Fr. Groeschel, Fr. Roberts.
Louie, although I am disability pensioner and single home-schooling mother, I will support you with my prayers and small monthly donation as long as it will be possible for me. I do so already with ChurchMilitant.tv where I saw you on “A Conversation With …”.
We need to learn the truth as the truth will set us free and it is so difficult to chaff and weed today. You help me to navigate. I would love to hear your testimonial. However, I know the shipment to countries outside US are horrendous and my donation wouldn’t be a donation at all if you have to spend it on the shipment. Is it possible to receive it by download?
May Our Lady Seat of Wisdom supports you in all your endeavours.
Louie
I can only echo the (complimentary) comments and plaudits made above and congratulate you on continuing to do a fantastic job! Rest assured, what you are doing is not in vain. Don’t be discouraged – remember Our Lord promised: “I will always be with you, even until the end of time”.
The thought has occurred to me more than once recently, that you and Michael Voris (who I also admire greatly) are modern-day prophets. Unless I’m mistaken, the Holy Spirit is inspiring you both. (But I hope you aren’t Enoch and Elias!!)
Seriously though, as a Sydney-based Aussie, I’m glad Card Pell has not formally withdrawn his support to date. (And thanks for Jack’s detective work!)
I have a lot of respect for him. He is, in my experience, a very solid conservative who has “done a Bp Paprocki” many a time in this town which, unfortunately, is Gomorrah to San Fran’s Sodom. The inordinately powerful gay community in Sydney loathes him with a passion as he’s always up to a face-down with them.
In fact, a hulking ex-footballer, he seems to love a good old-fashioned scrap.
I pray that if the Pope really gets off the rails, Card Pell will have the faith and fortitude stare him down also – although I do recall Pope Francis recently hinting that the composition of the “G8” can change (presumably if participants don’t toe the party line).
Unfortunately, I’m not in a position to provide financial support at this stage (been unemployed for many months) but you will remain in my prayers and when I get back on my feet the dollars will also follow.
God bless you and your loved ones and may holy Michael the Archangel protect you all.
Yours in Christ
Roi