Yesterday, a kind reader sent me a brief note saying that Christopher Ferrara had posted a direct response to some of the criticism leveled on these pages against the Fatima Center’s recent behavior.
That’s great, I thought, maybe he will offer a meaningful rebuttal or explanation!
Boy was I disappointed.
What I discovered instead was nothing more than an ad hominem attack against some unnamed “grandstanding Catholic blogger.”
While some readers are convinced that the mystery blogger is me; I’m not so sure.
You see, Mr. Ferrara is complaining about “personal blogsites dedicated to the daily or periodic musings of the one person who created them.”
akaCatholic, by contrast, has multiple contributors; including Cornelia Ferreira, who has been rather vocal in her defense of both the Fatima message and the legacy of Fr. Gruner.
In any case, just for the sake of argument, let’s assume that his target is akaCatholic and, in particular, yours truly.
The most disappointing thing about Mr. Ferrara’s post isn’t that he declined to address even one of the entirely valid observations put forth by Cornelia and I in this space, but rather that he presumed to suggest that he has intimate knowledge of my intentions.
Even more disappointing is that he saw fit to declare that my intentions amount to nothing more than an entirely self-serving quest for “attention” and web “traffic.”
This is to laugh!
The approach that I’ve taken here over the years has cost me my job, speaking opportunities, readers, supporters, and (obviously based on the tenor of Mr. Ferrara’s invective alone) friendships.
I’ll be the first to admit that my behavior is far from perfect, but anyone who takes the time to go back and reread my posts on the Fatima Center’s recent activities will find a deliberate attempt on my part to focus on arguments and approaches; not the interior disposition or intentions of those who disagree with me.
For example, here are just a few direct quotes taken from my recent posts on the topic:
- We are zeroing in on a matter about which many sincere persons seem genuinely confused.
- Answering the call to “name names” has nothing whatsoever to do with attacking persons; accusing them of ill-will or evil intent. Rather, it concerns pointing out the danger that is present in their approach.
- Simply put, the presumably good intentions of individual persons aside, the entire message of Our Lady of Fatima is at stake!
- The unfortunate answer is that, in spite of any good intentions on the part of individual people, the Fatima Center has lost its way.
You get the point.
At this, I will address the closest thing to substance to be found in Mr. Ferrara’s post:
The Fatima Center has done more than any organization in the world to keep alive the integral message of Fatima.
Indeed it has! If the Fatima Center was simply a flash-in-the-pan outfit with neither influence nor reach, we wouldn’t be having this conversation.
The question presently at hand (and we are not the only ones asking it), however, concerns what the Fatima Center is doing today – in the aftermath of Fr. Gruner’s and John Vennari’s passing – to protect the “integral message of Fatima” from corruption.
Mr. Ferrara continues:
None of that has changed with the passing of Father Gruner in April 2015. His legacy lives on without compromise, as any objective observer can see from the work of the apostolate over the past two years.
No doubt, the Fatima Center continues to be engaged in any number of good and praiseworthy works. Mr. Ferrara himself continues to write outstanding commentary on a range of important topics.
That said, we must be mindful of the impact that “a little leaven” can have; not just on the efforts of an organization, but on the salvation of souls, which, at the end of the day, is Our Lady’s primary concern.
Specifically, does anyone even remotely familiar with Fr. Gruner’s work really believe that the Fatima Center, on his watch, would ever heap unqualified praise on a popular (nay, celebrity) cardinal who threatens to mislead the innocent by publicly insisting upon the authenticity of a fake letter attributed to Sr. Lucia stating that the consecration of Russia “has been done just as Our Lady asked, on 25 March 1984”?
Of course not, and the reason is obvious and simple:
Claims such as these not only lead the innocent astray, they also make of Our Lady a liar for not having delivered the conversion of Russia and the period of peace that she promised in return, and this in spite of the consecration having allegedly been done over three decades ago.
At this, it may be useful to recall precisely what Cardinal Burke originally said; thus eliciting a giddy reaction from otherwise thoughtful men, and apparently rendering even his most egregious errors and offenses immune from any criticism:
Let us consecrate ourselves to the Immaculate Heart of Mary and work for the consecration of Russia to the Immaculate Heart of Mary … But, today, once again, we hear the call of Our Lady of Fatima to consecrate Russia to her Immaculate Heart, in accord with her explicit instruction.
What exactly is this “once again” nonsense?
It is a concept taken from a truly shameful homily given in 1982 by Pope John Paul II in Fatima wherein he attempted to dictate to Our Lady; even going so far as to suggest that the consecration was already done by Pope Pius XII and she should therefore be satisfied.
Cardinal Burke saw fit to further quote this homily of John Paul II, who said of the consecration he was about to undertake:
Once more this act is being done. Mary’s appeal is not for just once. Her appeal must be taken up by generation after generation, in accordance with the ever new “signs of the times”. It must be unceasingly returned to. It must ever be taken up anew. [Emphasis in original]
Yes, but Cardinal Burke called for the consecration to be done “in accord with her explicit instruction.”
Cardinal Burke is obviously confused; either the consecration has “been done just as Our Lady asked,” or it hasn’t; i.e., he can’t have it both ways – unless, of course, her “appeal is not just for once.”
If it has already been done “just as Our Lady asked” – and Cardinal Burke vigorously contended as much in his most recent interview – then where is Russia’s conversion? Where is the period of peace? Why is the crisis in the Church worse now than ever?
It is a monumental insult to Fr. Gruner and an assault on his memory to suggest that he would have applauded Cardinal Burke for his disjointed, irreconcilable, and ultimately insulting (to Our Lady!) comments.
Obviously, something has changed at the Fatima Center, and drastically so.
As any objective observer can see (to borrow Mr. Ferrara’s phraseology) it was not that long ago, when Fr. Gruner was at the helm, that Mr. Ferrara sang a very different tune than the one he is singing today.
Back then, he went to great lengths, and admirably so, to reprove those who played fast and loose with the truth about the consecration by claiming that it has already been done.
Back then, he never would have stood silent in the face of a popular cardinal who attempted to portray Vatican Council II, the New Evangelization and the behavior of John Paul the Great Ecumenist as consonant with Our Lady’s message.
Back then, he would have masterfully dismantled any foolish suggestion that Our Lady failed to make good on her promises even though the pope had allegedly done just what she asked.
Today, however, when Cardinal Burke does all of this, the best Mr. Ferrara can do in defense of “the integral message of Fatima” is to applaud the man for his “courageous declarations” and his “intellectual honesty.”
And then to top it all off, he then goes about leveling personal attacks against those who dare to insist upon the integrity of Our Lady and her entire message.
Yes, my friends, something has changed, but apparently the brain trust of the new Fatima Center doesn’t think that its donors and supporters are intelligent enough to recognize compromise when they see it.
Some, I suppose, will choose to deny it. Old heroes die hard, and to some extent, I get it. I too am bitterly disappointed to see people that I’ve long admired (and still do in some ways) falter. We must pray for them to regain their bearings.
In the meantime, the truth is the truth, and it must be told; no matter how unpopular it may be.
You can read the rest of Mr. Ferrara’s post (linked above) at the Fatima Center website.
As always, your comments are welcome, but please begin with the assumption that Mr. Ferrara is sincere in his attempts to serve the Church and Our Lady, as I continue to believe that he is, in spite of any recent missteps.
Father Kramer’s response remains the most thorough and clear thus far. Why doesnt Chris respond to it?
As is typical of today most people do not realize the reality of diabolical influence upon all and sundry, especially against those who wish to put forth the true state of affairs in the Church today. The word devil (diabolos) itself expresses what the Devil is: one who divides. He causes division any way he can between individuals, between man and society, between man and the true Church, between man and God. No one can deny that Satan has been allowed greater freedom in these days and hence one is going to see much more division. And it should be no surprise to see division among those whose purpose is to spread the Fatima message, especially when courageous and saintly leaders as Fr. Gruner and John Vennari are taken from our midst–it is precisely then that Satan has an advantage. The that such has happened or is happening at the Fatima Center is to shut one’s eyes to reality.
If it is true, as Cornelia Ferreira states, that Coralie Graham “was abruptly shown the door”, she who was for so long the editor of the Fatima Crusader and had worked with Fr. Gruner so closely with Fr. Gruner, then there IS something wrong, and for a brilliant lawyer to ignore the problem is deceitful. Certainly, it is hard to believe that said lawyer is ignorant of that most telling event, which is probably just the tip of the iceberg. From my own experience I have detected another “Party Line” being touted by the Center, and that “Party Line” IS NOT THE POSITION OF FR. GRUNER!
The blindness so manifest today was prophesied 58 years ago. For, Cardinal Cerejeira told the participants at the opening of a tour of the Pilgrim Virgin Statue of Our Lady of Fatima across Italy in 1959 (words truly Divinely inspired): “It is an apocalyptic hour for the world. These are frightening winds from hell which are blowing, and the elect themselves are allowing themselves to be carried away” (The Whole Truth about Fatima, The Third Secret, p. 535, by Frère Michel de la Sainte Trinité, Vol III).
Each one must get down on our knees and humbly ask Our Lady and her Spouse, the Holy Ghost, for proper discernment in these most confusing times.
Yes, and I still believe Father Kramer’s response is the most succinct.
http://radtradthomist.chojnowski.me/2017/09/breaking-fr-kramers-argument-francis.html
I guess the devil saw his opening and he wasn’t about to miss it. He will sew dissention wherever he can. As for me, count me as: FOL (friend of Louie).
A couple of years back I communicated with Fr Nicholas Gruner concerning what I could see was POTENTIALLY a very big problem which was brewing and which would hit the Fatima Crusader at the end of 2017. Fr Gruner did not seem to have a firm opinion as to whether 2017 or 2019 was the more likely year for the Collegial Consecration to occur. On the other hand, I could see from the many posts being placed on Facebook by mostly Traditional Catholics that there was MASS CONFUSION in the minds of most people and many were in PANIC mode expecting everything to come to a head in 2017 especially because of the Abominable things being done by Obama while he was President.
I set out to study the situation and I looked at everything I could find that had been written about Fatima and it very soon became OBVIOUS to me that Our Lord and Our Lady had given CLEAR SIGNS that the Collegial Consecration would not occur BEFORE 13 June 2029. I prepared a 4-Part Study on this subject which I sent out to anyone who sent me an email requesting it. Now it is available to purchase for a small fee from Amazon-Kindle…just key Lawrence J Myers in their search engine and anyone can find it and obtain it.
My point in responding is that it should be OBVIOUS to any Rational Person that 2017 will end and that (a) there will be No World War III (b) no Chastisement and (c) no Collegial Consecration – as I stated back in 2015.
As I suggested to Fr Gruner the Fatima Centre needs to concentrate on endeavouring to Lead Catholics into performing sufficient Prayer, Penance and Sacrifice in an attempt to avert the Chastisement – or as Desmond A Birch refers to it (the Minor Chastisement).
If one observes that Louis Verrechio has been one of the leading (if not THE leading) voice of concern about changes at the Fatima Center recently (including, specifically, publishing concerns about Christopher Ferrara’s omissions himself), it does not take a rocket scientist to conclude that there is a high probability that Mr. Ferrara’s article was most likely targeting Louis Verrechio and his blog in a particular way. It also doesn’t seem very likely that Mr. Ferrara contacted Louis to verify his thoughts about Louis’s personal intentions because I could only imagine that Louis wouldn’t have left out that very important detail in his above article had Mr. Ferrara done so.
I don’t think that any honest, intelligent, and emotionally unbiased person can read Mr. Ferrara’s article and Mr. Verrechio’s article and come away concluding that Mr. Ferrara has acted according to justice and true humility in this situation. Why? Because, without objectively demonstrated evidence, Christopher Ferrara presumes negative motives of the target(s) of his article. By presuming these negative motives without evidence and publicizing them, he attacks the reputation of his target. If Mr. Ferrara was practicing the virtues of humility and justice, and was genuinely interested in the truth, he would first contact the target of his article to ask them to verify to him if they are motivated in writing their articles out of a desire to “set himself up as the one reliable authority on issues in the Church”, whether they crave attention that “they cannot survive without”, and whether they have an agenda to cause a public debate “in order to draw more traffic to their blog”. After contacting the person in question and hearing from the actual person their report of their true intentions, then Mr. Ferrara would have more objective data to work off of in order to try to form an objective, just, honest, and charitable judgment prior to publicly expressing those accusations in public. He might object, “But such people could be lying and they aren’t worth my time to gather more information and their own testimony and defense to try to find out what is the truth.” We’re talking about Louis Verrechio here: one who has been so respected by this same Fatima Center which Mr. Ferrara praises so much in his article as to invite him to speak at multiple of its conferences over the years. Louis is close friends with many key Fatima Center speakers and supporters, such as Cornelio Ferreira, Fr. Kramer, and others. I think that most knowledgeable and unbiased traditional Catholics would have to admit that Louis Verrechio would be one to deserve such a contact from Mr. Ferrara before publishing accusations that he is motivated in writing his article out of a desire to “set himself up as the one reliable authority on issues in the Church”, craves attention that “he cannot survive without”, and that he has an agenda to cause a public debate “in order to draw more traffic to his blog”.
Should Mr. Verrechio have privately contacted Mr. Ferrara himself before expressing concerns about Mr. Ferrara’s articles? This is up for debate, but I don’t think charity would demand that he do so because he was merely providing objective commentary on objectively written things that Mr. Ferrara wrote in a public article, nor did Louis attribute negative subjective motives to Christopher or make subjective assumptions of his intentions. In his defense article, Louis objectively demonstrated that he didn’t make such subjective accusations of intentions of those he raised concerns about, and Louis quoted himself many times to demonstrate this. Because Louis was not making subjective accusations about negative intentions of Mr. Ferrara, but was providing objective commentary on objectively written things that Mr. Ferrara wrote in a public article, there was no need to consult Mr. Ferrara. If Mr. Ferrara had likewise provided objective commentary on actual things Louis wrote, then he wouldn’t have done wrong, but instead Mr. Ferrara chose to make negative accusations about the intentions of his critic, and instead of addressing his concerns on an objective level, dismissed it as beneath him and not worth his time. Some might view this behavior as evidence that he is unable to objectively defend himself, and therefore, he resorts to a type of “low hanging fruit” ad hominem attack. By trying to denigrate his opponent, in truth, and in God’s eyes (and I think in many other people’s eyes), he only denigrates himself (not to mention, what he does to his soul because every sin stains one’s soul, for which reparation must be made in this life or in the next).
I have to wonder: At Mr. Ferrara’s personal judgement and at the Last Judgement, when all these matters will be revealed to him according to how God sees them, is it unreasonable to conclude that it is possible that he might be in for a rude awakening? God abhors the proud. Will God show Mr. Ferrara that so many of the things he accused Mr. Verrechio of, he, in fact, has in his own heart? (Such as loving or wanting attention, or pride). Psychologists often say that those who are quick to judge others or attribute negative motives to others often suffer themselves from those very same things they accuse others of. So much is this true that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, taught this same concept: “And why seest thou the mote in thy brother’s eye: but the beam that is in thy own eye thou considerest not? Or how canst thou say to thy brother: Brother, let me pull the mote out of thy eye, when thou thyself seest not the beam in thy own eye? Hypocrite, cast first the beam out of thy own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to take out the mote from thy brother’s eye.” (Luke 6:42)
I admit that this next comment is subjective. What follows is my subjective, personal opinion and impression (which, I admit, is certainly fallible, but perhaps not without some insight or merit): I find the energy, tone, and action of Mr. Ferrara in his article very proud, condescending, bitter, angry, harsh, and accusatory. I believe this is against the example and teaching of the saints and Jesus when dealing with critics, even the saints with a fiery personality and great strength of character and conviction in writing and speaking like St. John Vianney. I previously held Mr. Ferrara in a high light. But in the light of his action and the way he has dealt with Louis’s criticism, he has now fallen many pegs lower in my view of him (and I also imagine in the views of others), because I admire and want to follow those who are truly humble and seek the truth at all costs (even personal cost, including their ego/pride) rather than the proud and condescending, and those who would use their reputation, authority, or gifts to unjustly attack or denigrate others, even if they veil their language in lawyer-speak, just as the Pharisees and scribes (doctors of the law) did with Jesus Christ, who is “meek and humble of heart.” (Matthew 11:29) On the flip side of the coin, this whole affair and Louis’s response has raised my admiration of Louis not only as a writer and blogger, but especially as a Catholic (“especially as a Catholic”: which is far more important than the number of readers one has or one’s prestige or association with various outlets or the number of books one has published).
So I say: Good job Louis! Continue your excellent work! Don’t let Chris Ferrara’s condescending attacks and false accusations dishearten you, but let it give you energy to do with even more vigor and an even greater commitment the work you have been doing, remembering that most of the saints and prophets of their day were persecuted and had false accusations levied against them by the Hebrews or Catholics of their day (oftentimes even by the “prestigious”, the well-known, or the lawyers of their day). It is not an easy road being one who points out the errors of those in authority or influence. “And all that will live godly in Christ Jesus, shall suffer persecution.” (2 Timothy 3:12) I add to the end of this Scripture passage, “…especially by the proud.”
I believe that if Chris Ferrara were truly humble, charitable, and virtuous, he would say:
“Louis Verrechio has raised some concerns about several things published on the Fatima Center website, including one or more pieces published by myself. I definitely appreciate all the great work he has done for the Fatima Center over the years, including his numerous speeches, and I acknowledge that many others recognize his valuable contributions as well. I presume that he does his writing with good intentions and a zeal for the truth and for the salvation of souls. However, I have some issues with some of the things he has stated in his articles. Here is what I think is wrong in what he wrote and this is what I believe is the truth: [he then objectively analyzes what Louis says without making subjective personal attacks on his person or attributing to him negative motives without evidence.]”
I believe Louis was truly humble, charitable, and virtuous in his response. It seems to me that the lawyer could learn a few things by the humble blogger with “little following” who is not “widely published by non-blog outlets.”
As a side note, I don’t recall that God measures truth or the value of a person and the value of what they have to say by the number of followers, by their popularity, or by how many outlets of their day feature them:
“He came unto his own, and his own received him not.” (John 1:11)
Blessed Anne Catherine Emmerich: “Owing to the spirit of the world and tepidity, if the Savior returned to earth today to announce his doctrine in person, he would find as many opponents as he did among the Jews.” (https://www.olrl.org/prophecy/emmerich.shtml)
“After this many of his disciples went back; and walked no more with him.” (John 6:67)
“Enter ye in at the narrow gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way that leadeth to destruction, and many there are who go in thereat. How narrow is the gate, and strait is the way that leadeth to life: and few there are that find it!” (Matthew 7:13-14)
Hold on one moment Mr Myers,
“My point in responding is that it should be OBVIOUS to any Rational Person that 2017 will end and that (a) there will be No World War III (b) no Chastisement and (c) no Collegial Consecration – as I stated back in 2015.”
Really old person here who was in Catholic school on the day Pope John 23rd was supposed to announce the Third Secret. Our Principal ( a nun) came on the intercom to tell us that. “….. he had decided not to reveal it AS EXPECTED because it was not for his Pontificate.” A collective moan came from all the classrooms in the hallways. We were ALWAYS told it included the words ,”Bishop against Bishop ,Cardinal against Cardinal…”
Back in those days we all did the Five First Saturdays , wore the scapular and all went to Mass every First Friday with our class.
No Chastisement?
What has the killing of billions of babies in their mother’s wombs been?
What has hormonal birth control pills that were proven to cause
cancer been ?
What has the mental illnesses of body dysmorphia resulting in sexual changes and bodily mutilations been? What has been wrought on society with PC homosexual unions ?
What did Vatican Two done to our Church?
What was has WW2, Korean ,Vietnam and wars in the Middle East, 9/11 and terrorism been?
Please tell me if not a Chastisement, how do we look at all the families whose Faith and lives have been destroyed thanks to the many pedophile priest scandals ?
How many people have suffered the shock Louie just did in finding out a friend was not really the friend he thought ? Children that hate their parents , brothers and sisters who no longer speak?
Sorry I heartily disagree Mr Myers, but from where I sit we have been drowning in the Chastisement for quite some time and until people wake up en masse to what they think is normal life and pray the Rosary daily as requested by Our Holy Mother, societal and family life will continue to degrade .
Dear Mr. Myers, I beg to differ with you both as to the Consecration of Russia and with regard to a “Minor Chastisement”. First, with respect to the “Chastisement”. When Our Lady at Akita tells Sr. Agnes that “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 have 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…..” If the coming punishment is a “Minor Chastisement”, how would you describe the FLOOD, when only eight human beings were spared? The Apostasy, of which Our Lady speaks at Fatima (3rd Secret), is in full swing, and I cannot imagine Our Lord waiting another 12 years, with the successors of Francis being his clones that he made Cardinals, before the world is punished in the manner described by Sr. Agnes.
Concerning the Consecration of Russia, I don’t believe it is too far off. In an article by Fr. Joseph Schweigl, S.J. entitled Fatima and the Conversion of Russia which appeared in 1956 in a journal issuing from the Russicum College in Rome, where the Commission for Russia instituted by Pope Pius XII was operating, Fr. Schweigl states the following: “The Third Secret [of Fatima] deals with a victorious, triumphal decision by the Pope, triumphal, yes, but also difficult and heroic.” Fr. Schweigl was entrusted by Pope Pius XII in 1952 with a mission to interrogate Sr. Lucy concerning the message of Fatima. He had 31 questions which he presented to her and which she addressed candidly and amply. Before he left Portugal, however, he was instructed by Chancery at Coimbra, the Diocese wherein the Carmelite Convent where Sr. Lucy resided was located, that he could not reveal anything of the interview he had had with Sr. Lucia. Nevertheless, he did disclose to his cousin, a Fr. Cyrille Karel Kosina, that “I cannot reveal anything about what I have learned at Fatima about the Message, but I can say that it has two parts. The one concerns the Pope, the other logically, although maybe I should say nothing, should be the continuation of the words, “In Portugal the Dogma of the Faith will always be preserved, etc….” (This information comes from tape #4 of an 11 tape recording of a series of talks by Guido Del Rose (RIP) entitled Fatima and the ‘Last Times’ Apostasy, former Custodian of the National Pilgrim Statue for the U.S.
To what Pope and in what that decision could consist are questions that are raised by the communication made by Fr. Schweigl concerning a monumental decision by a Pope. Without trying to analyzing so many decisions of the Popes from 1956, it seems that up to the present time only one truly stands out: the decision of Pope Benedict to resign the Papacy which took the world by surprise. Perhaps Pope Benedict’s decision to promulgate his Motu proprio of 2007 or his lifting of the excommunication of the four SSPX Bishops, both of which caused much consternation among liberals, could be considered as candidates. However, even if they were momentous decisions, they concern special groups. On the other hand Fr. Schweigl’s statement is made in connection with the 3rd Secret which concerns mainly the Pope and the apostasy. It could also be said that the decision will concern the Consecration of Russia, but the Consecration Russia is not a matter of a decision as such, rather it is a matter of obedience. Of course, it is possible that it, the Consecration, could come about as a result of the decision to which Fr. Schweigl refers.
The reason for the Consecration coming as a result of Benedict’s renunciation is that, as can already be seen, the apostates are exposing themselves, and eventually there must be a break between those loyal to Christ & His Church and the apostates, a break which is not far off. It will be only then that a true Collegial Consecration can be made, for the apostate Bishops would never consent to make the Consecration even when commanded by the most saintly Pope.
What is interesting, however, is that these times tie in with the prophesy of St. Malachy which places Benedict (the glory of the olive, “olive” meaning victory and peace) as the last Pope of this “Age”, the Age of Pisces. The only other Pope mentioned by St. Malachy after Benedict XVI is Peter the Roman who is supposed to be the last Pope before the end of the world. So the fact that the Pontificate of Benedict is the last of a certain “Age” and because St. Malachy labeled him as the “glory of the olive”, there seems to be an indication that there is something special about his Pontificate and perhaps it is he who will usher in that era of peace promised by Our Lady.
Also fitting in with this scenario is the determination of the New Agers and the One Worlders to usher in the “Age of Aquarius” with a One World Government and a One World Religion, the Age of Aquarius supposedly having begun in the 1960’s–a very tentative estimate. Of course, these latter efforts will never materialize. In conclusion, Mr. Myers, I really don’t see the Consecration of Russia being put off until 2029.
“it was not that long ago, when Fr. Gruner was at the helm, that Mr. Ferrara sang a very different tune than the one he is singing today.”
I don’t get it. What could be the reason for such a quick change? What/Who is the influence?
Anyone so close to Fatima and the message could simply see there is or has not been the promised time of peace..why such blindness? Is he truly deceived? Is this just a weakness or is this blindness perhaps a punishment? Wow. We must really pray for humility to stay close to Our Lady in these times.
I know one thing….I am allowed to post here, despite my views, and yet I was banned from posting on The Remnant site over a year ago (and Im not alone). That speaks volumes to me.
Cortez….I did the law enforcement thing for 22 years; lawyers are lawyers.
Wow, Rich, but why? What’s the influence here? How could someone abandoned such simple sanity and reason and allow themselves to appear so publicly foolish? They’ve not only abandoned Our Lady here, but even their own self respect. For what? I can’t wrap my brain around why someone would defend such an absurd position. I mean a lawyer. Really? Some one with such a high degree of intellectual abilities should at the very least be able to see such simple reality as the “no peace in sight yet” thing. And someone so closely involved with Our Lady, who has had the honor, given from above, to have rubbed elbows with the humbled Fr. Gruner. How could one, so gifted, abandone such blaring Truth at a time like this? It is so sad that these lines must be drawn now, but it must be done. Our Lord did say that He came to divide. It hurts though, this division. Hurts to tears. I pathetically must admit, though, that I also let my heart run when I hear Cardinal Burke speak out so publicly. I become so hopeful, ready and rushing to hang my weary heart on what I want to see as a completely holy and restorative prelate.,,,,until of course, Louie ruins it all on me, and I am once again realigned to face reality. It is truley an act of charity and sacrifice on Louie’s part to hold back the veil from so many people’s eyes, as it is constantly threatening to fall. It is is a growing in unpopularity position, but surely a pleasing one to Our Dear Lady. One of suffering, which of course is Her trademark for those She especially loves. Though we may hate to be in this valley of tears, let’s face it, we are in the thick of it, and really to face this fact, is also our consolation, as we await the relief from Our Mother of Mercy, Our Life, Our Sweetness, and Our Hope. About face everyone. Grab your Rosaries. Stay down in your bunkers.
Rich, though I disagree with you on some things, I do appreciate your comments. Stay close to Our Lady as She is our only hope. She is here in our midst, as you know.
Thanks Cortez. We may disagree on certain things but I consider you my friend.
As far as lawyers go….and I am certainly biased as I had to spend half of my life dealing with them…..I have absolutely ZERO use for any of them.
Sweepoutthefilth-I could have written exactly what you have said in your comment. However, I think you said it better than what I could have done. The True Catholic Church is as difficult to find as the nuns you described. Thank you and God bless you.
Sweetpoutthefish, you had me at:
“Back in those days we all did the Five First Saturdays , wore the scapular and all went to Mass every First Friday with our class.”
A little younger than you here,but as a lifelong Catholic, I never even heard of these things you mentioned as commonplace in your childhood until late adulthood, and only through the grace of God and charity of a dear sibling.
I long for days such as you described. I was born into the chastisement. When it will end, only God knows.
I believe the great chastisement is the loss of faith and then the pagan outcomes with confusion of the baptised. Like the earlier scourges the Church faced and with Divine assistance, Holy Mothet overcame, Arians & Luther the amobeic spliting of these so called Christian beliefs were nothing but a smorgasboard of heretical dinner parties each outdoing the other in contradiction and confusion.
True Popes and Saints were matyred in the sanctuary. These consilliar “popes” ushered in Antichrist and the abominations into the Holy of Holies. Ratzinger and humble Frank are Christ deniers. Our Lord is being mocked, by these leaders of the people; deliberately by these flakes. How does She hold back the Wrath of Her Son. Our Lady of Sorrows have pity on us.
As for lawyers; they load us with burdens they themselves do not carry. Woe woe thrice times woe. Woe to the Scribes and Pharasies. Rosary time and hunker down til after 13 October 17. God bless all contributors to this site of Good will who fear Him Our Lord. Deo gratias.
I have no doubt that Mr. Ferrera reads this blog and the comments. Perhaps he will come forward and name the Mystery Blogger. What has he got to lose? An expert lawyer should have no problem handling this case.
2cents, Your kind words are much appreciated ! Thanks for turning a blind eye to the grammatical errors .Typing here while watching the hurricane updates. Obviously I forgot to include the increasingly severe natural disasters in the partial Chastisement
list above. Prayers for everyone facing Irma are requested .
One more point to consider . Apostolates and blog sites in large part depend on or request donations. JV , whom I knew personally very well, reinivigorated Fr Gruner’s CFN when he was invited to become it’s Editor. Was he a sincere man? Yes,he was. But I would not go so far as to canonize him as i have read in some comments . I know John would be the first to ask for prayers for his soul. Because John was the face of CFN and the Fatima Ctr , along with Fr Gurner, their deaths have left a void and I am sure a deficit in donations.
The seminars were also an important source of revenues.
Perhaps Mr Ferrara is feeling the pinch ?
Herein rests a huge stumbling block when trying to find a rational cause for one Catholic attacking another, especially when both have the same lofty goal to promote Our Holy Mother’s message.
On a grander scale I suggest a non biased study of the so called Great Schism. Forget the Theological and clerical legalized arguments and look at the greed, politics and competition that played the weightier side to divide the Apostolic Church that Jesus Christ founded here on earth. It is very enlightening. Nothing is really new under the Sun.
Satan’s favorite tools are still the same.
Cortez,
Your last statement sums it all up.
All we can really do is pray and trust , because as Jesus told us
( and I paraphrase) ,
God the Father is the best of Fathers and wants only what is good for His children. He is and always will be the epitome of Love and Fatherhood. The only Father Who really always and everywhere knows best.
He certainly does….and this is precisely why He would never give us a pope whose teachings would lead us to hell, because if He did, than God Himself would be a contradiction.
We are tasked with always continuing to learn our Faith, but we are not tasked with solving impossible puzzles.
Dear Sweep—Yes, the devil’s tools are hard at work here–division and confusion. The army of Traditional Catholic warriors are now battling each other. Perhaps I am wrong, but I believe there was much more unity not so long ago. There was a time when all eyes were on the enemy, not on each other looking for fault. I don’t know who is right or who is wrong. Satan is very clever, but he is no match for Our Lady. There is strength in Unity. The Traditional (aka) Catholic movement is not united. It’s a Spiritual Hurricane coming our way. Lord, save us!
Dear Cortez,
What you write here rings true. In humility, the answer which Holy Mother Church, as the Mystical Body of Christ Jesus gives us, is from Saint Paul in 2 Thess 2 and also found in his Epistle to the Romans, chapter 1. The “operation of error”, of which Saint Paul speaks in 2 Thess 2, is that Supernatural operation which God has given “being”, such that those who reject His grace as they do not freely receive it–that gift which is both freely given and completely undeserved–will receive into their wills that which they precisely ask for, as God’s Truth as Truth Himself– in the Person of Jesus the Christ– is not yearned for, not truly loved by them. Thus, as they receive the “operation of error” into their will, in lieu of the grace which they are freely rejecting by choosing sin over the good, God sends the “operation of error” to them.
While they receive the “operation of error”, they can only then believe the lie as though it is the truth. It becomes metaphysically impossible for them to see the truth, in the Light of Truth, while receiving the “operation of error”, as God’s law of non-contradiction commands as thus. The Angelic Doctor, as the so called “Universal Doctor” of Holy Mother Church, established the clarity of this reality as Reality– for the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church– that first the intellect must inform the free will. Once informed by the intellect, the will can then only choose the good over the evil (the privation of the good which is due in the “act”) by freely receiving God’s grace which is infinitely Superabundant. Grace can be overcome, in any particular act of the free will, by obstinately choosing to sin, even venially, as if it could not, then God would be forcing a choice of the good, which He cannot do because He commands so, as Deus Caritas Est. As Love can only freely give, and infinitely so, to His miserable creatures and not take one iota of anything from them (as “to take” is not “to give”), God Himself has deemed that He cannot somehow coercively force a choice from His creatures, angelic or human, as to “force” is to “take away” the gift of the free will. For the purpose of analogy, think of God’s grace as a particular tool to assist in a particular act or function. A carpenter wants to pound a nail into a piece of dry wall. At his disposal he has a finishing hammer and a sludge hammer. If he were to freely choose the sludge hammer, one supposes that the dry wall as wall, will be demolished. God’s grace is as such. A tool at our disposal. The more our free will freely chooses His Will in our lives, in each and every act that we freely choose, the more of that “tool” as grace, is available to us, not only then to choose God’s good over our evil, but that grace spills over as it is Superabundant, unto those “in our midst”, the communion of Almighty God’s human creatures, as the Church Militant in this world.
Lastly Cortez, what we witness in the world now is as deeply sorrowful as it is heretofore unprecedented. You posited your question as your wonder about how someone with such a “high degree of intellectual abilities” as a lawyer can make such an act of their free will assent made manifest in reality. As we ponder such things, contemplate for a moment the intellective power of Lucifer. In our nature as mere miserable human creatures, know that we do not even possess the imaginative power to understand his preternatural degree of intellect. Yet we know what he freely chose to do, as he abandoned Almighty God for himself. In that free will act of Lucifer, which occurred in the moment of his creation, he freely rejected God as his Creator. As he freely rejected Almighty God in His Triune Godhead as his Creator, he was given by God that which he freely chose, and that an eternity of perfect desolation in the isolation of himself, for ever and ever. Amen. This is the reality as Reality, that each and every creature adorned with intellect and free will, makes his own choice, as did Lucifer, to spend all eternity knowing God as God knows Himself in the Beatific Vision, or abandoning God for himself in the utter and eternal misery of desolation as isolation and torment. Amen. Alleluia. I pray this helps. In caritas.
Dear my2cents,
As you wrote this:
“There was a time when all eyes were on the enemy, not on each other looking for fault. I don’t know who is right or who is wrong.”,
simply reflect upon that which you know to be true as Truth Himself. Christ our Lord as God and our King commanded: You think I came to bring peace. I came to bring the sword. As in the understanding that it is in division where the Truth springs forth and is plainly seen. We know with metaphysical certitude that Lucifer and his minions are the dividers, as Christ came to perfectly as infinitely edify Himself as in the Father, as the Father is in Him, as Truth Himself in the Unity of the Triune Godhead. The God-Man, holding two distinct natures, One Divine and One perfectly Human. Thus, two Intellects, two Wills, each distinct from the other, while sharing the same Essence as God, in Being Himself. Do not allow yourself to fall into the deception of not knowing “who is right or who is wrong”. Every Catholic who loves Him as Truth Himself, seeking Him in Truth, from their deepest interiority as miserable human creature, with a zeal that only the reception of His grace can yield, indeed knows the Truth, as Christ Jesus commanded it as so. God is infinitely knowable, while at once not infinitely known, except in Himself. Christ Jesus commanded in John 14, to paraphrase, He who knows My commands and follows them loves Me, and as I am in the Father, you are in Me, and I in you.
In truth, all eyes aught not be “on the enemy” nor “on each other looking for fault”, rather all eyes aught be now as always and everywhere, unto eternity, on Truth Himself, as Love Himself, as He, through the power of the Holy Ghost, will always remind us of what Jesus the Christ taught us and teach us more, as He commanded also in John 14. I pray this helps. In caritas.
In caritas–Thank you for your comment. However, as Soldiers of Christ, we must remain united as we keep our eye on the enemies of Christ (Who IS Truth) and be alert in the battle. Gazing at one another is a distraction.
Dear my2cents,
In humility, you missed the mark of the comment, when you write, “…as Soldiers of Christ, we must remain united as we keep our eye on the enemies of Christ…”. The point is this: we can only remain “united”, not “…as we keep our eye on the enemies of Christ…”, rather in truth, we can only remain united as we submit into Unity as Truth Himself. Looking at it from the negative now, there is no way in which we can “remain united” by keeping “…our eye on the enemies of Christ”, who are in diametrical opposition to Christ, rather we can only “remain united” by submitting into Him Who Is Unity Himself. To apply the Catholic principles of Subsidiarity and Solidarity then, only when each individual human person as Catholic, submits into Christ’s commands in utter subsidiarity, can the communion of the Faithful then come together as one, in the unity of solidarity. As you say, “Gazing at one another is a distraction”, the suggestion in that statement is that we have no role, in Charity, to admonish or correct the brethren in error, which is simply not a Catholic understanding, as we are commanded by Christ Jesus to yearn for the salvation of the soul of the other in our midst, as much as our very own. As there is no greater love, than to lay down one’s own life for his “friend” (in the Catholic understanding as “neighbor”). In our Particular Judgment, the infinite Judge will judge us based upon our capacity in which we have loved, as only in our zeal for Love as Love Himself, will we be ultimately measured. If we do not truly love, then we cannot truly hold the Faith nor can we truly have Hope. Christ commanded this Reality when he gave the parable of the man who had given everything away, including the shirt off his back, and offered even his very life, and as he did not love, having no zeal for Love, Christ Jesus commanded that He did not know him. In caritas.
In Caritas–Apparently, you are a much deeper thinker than I am. Thank you for your time and efforts. God bless You!
I remain a skeptic regarding the details of the deaths of both Fr. Gruner and John Vennari. Their deaths were suspiciously close together. The Fatima Center generates a great deal of income and influence regarding the Fatima apparitions. If the message of the Fatima Center is no longer in conformity with Our Lady’s Fatima messages, then maybe we should start following the money.
Archbishop Lefebvre:
“Let us pray unceasingly to the Blessed Virgin Mary, St. Joseph, the Holy Angels, St. Pius X, to come to our help so that the Catholic Faith may triumph over errors. Let us remain united in this Faith, let us avoid disputations, let us love one another, let us pray for those who persecute us and let us render good for evil.”
I remember as if it were yesterday the intense anticipation all of us at my Catholic grade school had as Jan. 1, 1960 approached. I also remember the disappointment we shared at John XXIII’s failure to follow the direct instructions of the Mother of God. There is no doubt in my mind that they still have not been fulfilled. The rhetorical gymnastics the hierarchy undertook relative to the Third Secret was not credible back in 1960. Since then they have become ridiculous. Are there really Catholics who are from my generation, or at least the well-catechized, that actually believed that dog-and-pony show unveiling the “Third Secret” last time?
I agree. Fr. Kramer’s article is a masterpiece all faithful absolutely should read.
While we’re at it, is everyone aware we’re now down to two dubia cardinals? Interesting take a thttp://voxcantor.blogspot.com/2017/09/cardinal-caffarra-may-he-rest-in-peace.html . Cardinal Burke may need a bodyguard and food taster to protect him from his enemies, but with friends like…
Dearest my2cents,
Thanks be to God and praise be to God. May Almighty God bless and keep you and yours’, especially in these darkest of days. Amen. In caritas.
Excellent explanation. I agree with you.
As can be seen by my previous comments I do not hide behind a pseudonym unlike Sweepoutthefilth and others who are posting here.
The Murder of Babies is not a Chastisement. It however is MOST CERTAINLY one reason why there may be a Chastisement.
Desmond A Birch in his book Trial, Tribulation and Triumph, Before During and After Anti-Christ describes the Minor Chastisement which is what we are talking about here…and he also describes the Major Chastisement.
Unfortunately very few Catholics have any understanding of what Mr Birch wrote about so clearly in his book, as is demonstrated by Sweepoutthefilth.
Catholics would be well advised to heed the Advice of Our Blessed Mother who has indicated what we should do if we wish to avert the Chastisement. It would be extremely helpful if we as Catholics started to work together so as to comply with the Remedy given to us by Our Blessed Mother.
My2Cents: “but I believe there was much greater unity not so long ago” yep, and you might call that “The Francis Effect”‘s greatest and most ironic victory of all.
“The Murder of Babies is not a Chastisement”
Did I read that correctly Mr Myers?
Did not Our Holy Mother warn “…..or Communism will spread it’s errors throughout the world?’
Abortion was widespread in the former Soviet Union. It was ONLY more recently that Putin tried to curb it because he realized where his nation was headed with the breakdown of morality.
Humanity invites chastisement though sin.
My pseudonym here just might be because this is Louie’s blog and I offer only my opinions as comments as most do by way of support.
I do not hide behind it NOR would I use his site to promote my own articles or ebooks as I have seen above in your post.
Personally, I do not care to read either your predictions or Mr Birch’s.
My reading preference belongs to the Scriptures and the the Early Church Fathers. One of my favorites is St John Chrysostom whose many homilies we have been left because he was so well loved and respected as ,”The Golden Tongue” during his lifetime. When he was asked by parishioners what Jesus meant when He said it would be worse than Sodom and Gomorrah in the End Times , St John explained that during that Time even His Ministers would become sexually perverted. He also was the one who first stated Hell is paved with the skulls of Bishops.
Trying to figure out dates for the properly worded Collegial Consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary seems to me akin to setting a date for Christ’s Return which, as
Jesus told us , no man knows only the Father in Heaven.
Our Lady never tasked the laity to do this. She did tell us how to observe the First Saturdays , pray the Rosary and offer up sacrifices.
It seems to me that is what we should focus on aside from reading and observing the other signs we were given in the Gospels, are exactly what She recommended we do.
.
Mr. Myers–“It would be extremely helpful if we as Catholics started to work together….” Insulting the commentators on this site who choose to use a pseudonym (with Louie’s permission) is starting off on the wrong foot—-to put it mildly. You may want to re-think this divisive attitude.
The “Eye of the Needle ” was a gate into Jerusalem. To get camels to go though it visitors had to make their beast crawl through it on it’s knees. Humility and prayer are necessary to enter into Heaven and follow the narrow path .
Especially in today’s climate true humility is scarce since we have so many people who believe they are experts and or stars ,thanks to social media.
Mr Verrechio is one person with a Catholic blog who does not incite that self serving impression on his readership. I commend him .
Sadly, so many other Catholic blogs and internet media types censor their readers comments simply for stating the obvious and over stepping multiple boundaries and rules they themselves have set up as if they were the Hierarchy of the Church itself ! Believe me they are losing readership .
You’re kidding, right? His article is a mess of errors and false conclusions. That anyone would consider it a masterpiece only goes to show how confused people today are.
JPeters, I rarely agree with you, but on this case I somewhat do. It is a poorly written article because it only addresses the heresies of Bergolio while giving a pass to the rest of the V2 NO structure. To believe Ratzinger was a Pope is just as foolish as believing Bergolio is one. They are both modernists. Modernists of a different flavor, but modernists all the same. Fr Kramer’s article suffers for its selective conclusion that Bergolio is not a Pope based on his heretical positions. Yet in the same breath he states that Ratzinger must be the real Pope. Was he asleep all the years of Benedict and JP2? Did he not notice their heresies as well? Do you see their heresies JPeters?