tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-59199591492559805792024-03-05T13:19:51.462-08:00nowhereAn anti-blogger turned...anonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12787815747756899970noreply@blogger.comBlogger260125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5919959149255980579.post-30929170167982347582020-07-24T11:14:00.000-07:002020-07-24T11:14:15.092-07:00Mask ManipulationA friend received this email, and asked me to consider posting it to the blog. It is somewhat of a strange topic to log back into blogger about after all this time. The last thing I posted was a timeline on <a href="https://anonisnowhere.blogspot.com/2017/10/500-years-of-revolution.html">Luther the Heritic</a>. Back when I wrote that, I would not have believed such a topic would even be worth a discussion. I also see humor in being asked to post about it since my original online avatar used to be the mask pictured in this post. Admittedly, this subject has been on my mind and in my prayers. The subject also coincides somewhat with a recent sermon I have listened to on the subject of "<a href="http://reginaprophetarum.org/audio/20200719-Avoiding-the-Dialectics-of-Disoriented-Contradictors.mp3" target="_blank">Dialectics</a>".<br /><br />
This email is posted with some redaction, and with full permission from the original sender. Emphasis and links are mine:<br /><br />
<blockquote>+JMJ+<br /> <br />
Gentlemen,<br /><br />
I have had conversations with most of you on the subject topic. Most of you know my thoughts on the virus, and that I have never worn a face mask in response. Generally speaking the push to wear masks, and the information behind it seems to be driven as part of a propaganda effort. Use of social media, participation in echo chambers, and reliance on a daily dose of other forms of media seem to drive this propaganda. People willingly participate in the media they consume and are impacted by it.<br /><br />
It should go without saying, but to make sure it is clear... I do not fear the virus. I am not worried about how my personal consumeristic urges might be impacted. I have been willing to suffer the consequences of my actions for a while now.<br /><br />
People can come to similar conclusions, and perform similar actions for very different reasons. This is relevant because I have heard reasons for NOT wearing a mask that are unsound. I have also heard repetition of "pre-recorded sophistry" (internet memes and quick one liners) that <b>leads me to wonder if NOT wearing masks has also become a propaganda effort.</b><br /> <br />
It is not a surprise that opposing propaganda efforts would exist over a subject. I am worried however that if I am right, that the result will lead to division for the wrong reasons. <a href="http://www.drbo.org/cgi-bin/d?b=drb&bk=47&ch=10&l=34-#x">Division over good reason is bound to happen</a>, but <b>division over wrong reasons is just wrong.</b><br /><br />
I also know that covering one's face with a mask is not objectively wrong. Chances are there are circumstances where most of us have performed this action at some point in our lives. Reasons for wearing a mask certainly exist that could make the act wrong, or at the very least undesirable.<br /><br />
I am sharing my thoughts to caution you all from getting sucked into false dichotomies, or getting sucked into divisive attitudes that are not likely required. At the very least I would be cautious of letting the subject take up to much mental thought. There is certainly a battle here taking place, but maybe this is the wrong "front" to spend all the energy on with those around us and those we interact with.<br /><br />
I welcome any of your thoughts, but please remember, this is not social media. I do not need to be convinced of the ridiculous circumstance we are in. Chances are high that I have read "the science", "statistics", and "politics" and seen all of the same things you all have seen. <b>This is not about convincing anyone to wear/not wear a mask. I am keeping a more concerned eye on the strange divisiveness of this specific topic, and urge you to do the same.</b><br /><br />
Mary keep you,<br />
</blockquote><br /><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPdkWfpGWeflOCzA3wWntu_LNZ7UzL-OlL00ES19PnTj7wh6VyIMkQug_zxc1daHPfZhpirpXGhJwexSg_U7UPW1s6VaEcV-BcMYUXQSuLNErhn6lez3M0QjlfzJaXL7G_XnGbq3KCpXY/s810/Desktop16a%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="539" data-original-width="810" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPdkWfpGWeflOCzA3wWntu_LNZ7UzL-OlL00ES19PnTj7wh6VyIMkQug_zxc1daHPfZhpirpXGhJwexSg_U7UPW1s6VaEcV-BcMYUXQSuLNErhn6lez3M0QjlfzJaXL7G_XnGbq3KCpXY/w500-h333/Desktop16a%255B1%255D.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>anonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12787815747756899970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5919959149255980579.post-16098779469569854212017-10-11T09:37:00.003-07:002017-10-11T14:20:49.334-07:00500 Years of Revolution <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Introduction:</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The intended audience here is my fellow Catholics, especially those who may be confused by protestant error. I have chosen to focus on one particular heretical monastic priest as the subject. His errors and the errors he helped to give birth are still strong today almost 500 years later. I am not a Historian. I have sketched out a chronological history (gathered from multiple sources) as an attempt to better understand some of the events that helped to spark off the protestant revolt. If there are clarifications or corrections, please feel free to provide them. </span></div>
<b id="docs-internal-guid-a90724e2-0c27-da1d-dcaf-5e09354fdf54" style="font-weight: normal;"><br />
</b> <br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Chronological Events Related to Martin Luther:</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">1501:</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Luther is 22 years old, and enters the Augustinian monastery in Erfurt. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">1507:</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Luther is ordained to the priesthood.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">1509:</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Luther is at the University of Wittenberg (which was founded in 1502, and has roughly 80 students). He was recalled to Erfurt later that year. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></div>
</div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">1512:</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Luther is back at Wittenberg, and was admitted to the doctorate.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></div>
</div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">1512:</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Same year, the Fifth Lateran Council begins.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></div>
</div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">1515-March-31:</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Pope Leo X issues a Papal Bull granting plenary indulgences for those contributing to the rebuilding of the new basilica of St. Peter's in Rome. (This in of itself was not an abuse of Indulgences.) </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">1517:</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> The close of the Fifth Lateran Council. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></div>
</div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">1517-October-31:</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Luther writes the </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"Disputation of Martin Luther on the Power and Efficacy of Indulgences" </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(The 95 Theses) Luther places the 95 Theses on the church door (An academic challenge to disputation). Luther also provided this with a letter to the archbishop. (Now we are outside of academia... The archbishop submitted them to his councilors at Aschaffenburg and to the professors of the University of Mainz. The councilors were of the unanimous opinion that they were of an heretical character, and that proceedings against the Wittenberg Augustinian should be taken. This report, with a copy of the Theses, was then transmitted to the pope.)</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">1518-January-20:</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> 300 Dominicans in Frankfurt hold a disputation concerning the 95 Theses during their regional chapter meeting. John Tetzel (a Dominican Monk, and preacher for Indulgences) participates and presents an academic 106 Anti-Theses. (Tetzel argues that Luther's attack is not just on the abuse of indulgences, but on the penitential system of the Church itself, and on the doctrine of ecclesiastical authority.) From this meeting through March, Luther works to provide a response to Tetzel. This response was not in the realm of academia, but into the public.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">1518-February:</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Pope Leo X asks the head of the Augustinian order to convince Luther to stop spreading his ideas.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">1518-March:</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Luther publishes a “Sermon on </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Indulgences and Grace</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">”, a small book presenting the ideas of the 95 Theses for popular consumption. The book serves as a response to specifics points of Tetzel’s criticism and it places an erroneous attack on the three part division of penance as "scripturally unfounded". The book also stresses good works and sincere repentance over indulgences, with Luther wrongly criticizing indulgences as non-scriptural. The book declares the Catholic clergy as being greedy and wasting money on St. Peter's Basilica when it could be better spent on the poor in their own neighborhoods.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">1518-April: </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Tetzel responded with a published point-by-point refutation of Luther’s book “Sermon on </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Indulgences and Grace</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">”, citing heavily from the Bible and important theologians.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">1518-May-15:</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Luther publishes </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"Sermon on the Power of Excommunication"</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> in which it is contended that visible union with the Church is not broken by excommunication, but by sin alone.The inflammatory character of this sermon, fully acknowledged by Luther, only strengthens suspicions of his lack of good faith.</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">1518-May-30:</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Luther publishes his </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Resolutions”</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (detailed explanation of the 95 Theses) explaining his understanding of indulgences and penance. A copy is sent to the Bishop of Brandenburg with a request to send it on to the Pope. (It was sent). This bishop counseled Luther to abstain from all further publication. Luther responded with obedience at the time.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">1518-August:</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Early in the month Luther is requested to appear in Rome by the pope. This is a hearing, not an academic activity. He responds that such a trip could not be undertaken without endangering his life. Luther seeks the help of Emperor Maximilian and Elector Frederick to have the hearing and judges appointed in Germany. The university sends letters to Rome and to the nuncio sustaining the plea of "infirm health" and vouching for Luther's orthodoxy.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Johann Eck (a friend of Luther at that time, and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ingolstadt) writes a private refutation of the explanation of the 95 theses, and highlights and provides commentary on the problematic passages. This refutation was done at the request of the Bishop of Eichstatt. A transcription reaches Luther, Luther is upset by it, Eck attempts to calm tempers in a letter of explanation. Luther responds with his own private letter, and the debate becomes public.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">1518-October-11:</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Luther meets with Cardinal Cajetan (Papal Legate / representative of the Pope. Dominican, philosopher, theologian, and exegete.) in Germany for the three day long hearing. From the Catholic Encyclopedia article on Luther: </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"Cajetan came to adjudicate, Luther to defend; the former demanded submission, the latter launched out into remonstrance; the one showed a spirit of mediating patience, the other mistook it for apprehensive fear; the prisoner at the bar could not refrain from bandying words with the judge on the bench. The legate, with the reputation of 'the most renowned and easily the first theologian of his age', could not fail to be shocked at the rude, discourteous, bawling tone of the friar, and having exhausted all his efforts, he dismissed him with the injunction not to call again until he recanted."</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">1518-October-31: </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Luther returns to Wittenberg on the anniversary of the 95 Theses.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">1518-November-28:</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Luther sends an appeal to Pope Leo X and to an ecumenical council.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">1519-January-05:</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Luther meets with Karl von Miltiz (papal nuncio) to work on an end to the controversy. At one point Luther concedes to be silent on the matters if his opponents were, complete submission to the pope, to publish a plain statement to the public advocating loyalty to the Church, and to place the whole case in the hands of a delegated bishop. (It is also stated in some sources that Luther was </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">allowed by Miltitz to make it plain that he would not recant his position as a compromise to the other concessions.)</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">1519-March-03: </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Luther writes to Pope Leo X: </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"Before God and all his creatures, I bear testimony that I neither did desire, nor do desire to touch or by intrigue to undermine the authority of the Roman Church and that of your holiness."</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">1519-March-05:</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Luther writes to George Burkhardt: "It was never my intention to revolt from the Roman Apostolic chair."</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It seems from late winter of 1519 through the Spring, Luther has reformed his ways. However this starts to unravel with the next quote, and into the summer.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">1519-March-13:</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Luther writes to George Burkhardt: "I am at a loss to know whether the pope be antichrist or his apostle."</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">1519-Summer:</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Eck and Karlstadt (colleague of Luther) plan to hold a disputation (the Leipzig Debate) of topics related to Luther’s doctrines in a public forum. Many attempted to dissuade the disputation from taking place. Luther had pledged to remain silent on the subject, but made efforts to encourage the debate. Luther was invited to the debate and participated. Topics ranged from Papal Supremacy to Infallibility of Ecumenical Councils to Purgatory. This “academic exercise” seems to have induced Luther to double down on his errors. Eck's debating skills led to Luther's open admissions of heresy. Luther declared that sola scriptura was the basis of Christian belief, that the Pope had no power as he was not mentioned in the Bible, and condemned the sale of indulgences to the laity to reduce their time in purgatory, as there was no mention of purgatory in the Bible. Over the next several months Luther’s erroneous doctrines (as noted in his writings and publications) are solidified:</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></div>
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<ol style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Bible is the only source of faith; it contains the plenary inspiration of God; its reading is invested with a quasi-sacramental character.</span></div>
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<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Human nature has been totally corrupted by original sin, and man, accordingly, is deprived of free will. Whatever he does, be it good or bad, is not his own work, but God's.</span></div>
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<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Faith alone can work justification, and man is saved by confidently believing that God will pardon him. This faith not only includes a full pardon of sin, but also an unconditional release from its penalties.</span></div>
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<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The hierarchy and priesthood are not Divinely instituted or necessary, and ceremonial or exterior worship is not essential or useful. Ecclesiastical vestments, pilgrimages, mortifications, monastic vows, prayers for the dead, intercession of saints, avail the soul nothing.</span></div>
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<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">All sacraments, with the exception of baptism, Holy Eucharist, and penance (but they do not confer grace in the Catholic sense), are rejected, but their absence may be supplied by faith. </span></div>
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<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The priesthood is universal; every Christian may assume it. A body of specially trained and ordained men to dispense the mysteries of God is needless and a usurpation. The state has supreme power in all church appointments.</span></div>
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<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">There is no visible Church (consisting of the just alone) or one specially established by God whereby men may work out their salvation.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">1520-Spring:</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Eck takes Luther’s published works and doctrines to Rome for examination and discussion.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">1520-July-10:</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Luther hears word that a papal bull is being prepared. In response he is quoted as saying: </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"As for me, the die is cast: I despise alike the favour and fury of Rome; I do not wish to be reconciled with her, or ever to hold any communion with her. Let her condemn and burn my books; I, in turn, unless I can find no fire, will condemn and publicly burn the whole pontifical law, that swamp of heresies"</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">1520-July-15:</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Exsurge Domine</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> was written. It formally condemns 41 propositions from Luther’s works, ordered the destruction of the books containing the errors, and summoned Luther to recant within sixty days or receive excommunication. Eck was appointed to publish the Bull in Germany. Eck’s appointment was not received well by Luther, his supporters and other German Catholics alike. Enforcement of the ban on Luther's writings fell to the secular authorities.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">1520-October:</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Luther Sends the pope a copy of </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“On the Freedom of a Christian”. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> In this book Luther developed the erroneous concept that as fully forgiven children of God, Christians are no longer compelled to keep God's law; however, they freely and willingly serve God and their neighbors. Luther also further develops the error of justification by faith alone.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">1520-December:</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Luther publicly sets fire to the </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Exsurge Domine</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> in Wittenburg. </span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br />
</b> <br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">1521-January-03:</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Luther is formally excommunicated by Pope Leo X in the bull </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Decet Romanum Pontificem</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">1521-April-21:</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Luther appears before the Diet of Worms. Eck presented copies of Luther’s writings laid out on a table and asked if the books were his, and whether he stood by their contents.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Luther’s response: </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"Unless I am convinced by the testimony of the Scriptures or by clear reason (for I do not trust either in the pope or in councils alone, since it is well known that they have often erred and contradicted themselves), I am bound by the Scriptures I have quoted and my conscience is captive to the Word of God. I cannot and will not recant anything, since it is neither safe nor right to go against conscience. May God help me. Amen."</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Eck’s response to Luther: </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"Martin, there is no one of the heresies which have torn the bosom of the church, which has not derived its origin from the various interpretation of the Scripture. The Bible itself is the arsenal whence each innovator has drawn his deceptive arguments. It was with Biblical texts that Pelagius and Arius maintained their doctrines. Arius, for instance, found the negation of the eternity of the Word—an eternity which you admit, in this verse of the New Testament—Joseph knew not his wife till she had brought forth her first-born son; and he said, in the same way that you say, that this passage enchained him. When the fathers of the Council of Constance condemned this proposition of John Huss—The church of Jesus Christ is only the community of the elect, they condemned an error; for the church, like a good mother, embraces within her arms all who bear the name of Christian, all who are called to enjoy the celestial beatitude.”</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">1521-May-25:</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Edict of Worms declared Luther an outlaw, banning his literature, and required his arrest. It also made it a crime for anyone in Germany to give Luther food or shelter. It permitted anyone to kill Luther without legal consequence.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">General Thoughts:</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I can understand those who might read this history and find themselves sympathizing with some of Luther’s actions. It is true that indulgences were abused, and that Luther was against it. There are some who might make the conclusion that the corrupt members of the Church who were taken to task by Luther, had it out for him to protect the illicit scheme they had in place. A further conclusion might be made that the beating Luther took in attacking the indulgence abuse pushed him into his greater errors. If only the abusers had given more consideration, Luther might have been a Catholic hero, or even a Catholic saint who reformed the Church in a time of corruption. Maybe he is a Catholic hero… through his disobedience and revolutionary stance against those who deformed Christ’s Doctrine.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Those conclusions are not reality, and I hope that I am only presenting a strawman. I propose instead, that many of the characters noted as attackers of Luther (Pope Leo X, Tetzel, Cajetan, Eck), recognized a problem early on. They saw something strange in his writings, and heard something off in his speech. They took a harsh reading of Luther’s works because they read in them what Luther intended, and heard what he said for the error that it was. Luther’s works were justifiably suspect.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">St. Thomas defines heresy as </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"a species of infidelity in men who, having professed the faith of Christ, corrupt its dogmas [...] The right Christian faith consists in giving one's voluntary assent to Christ in all that truly belongs to His teaching." </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Luther is by this definition a person who fell into heresy. Those Catholics today which might be tempted to propose that Luther was sound in his doctrines, also fall into this definition.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Scandal is a word or action evil in itself, which occasions another's spiritual ruin. Scandal is divided into active and passive. Active scandal causing one to sin through our actions or omissions. Passive scandal is the sin which another commits in consequence of active scandal.</span></div>
</div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Both active and passive scandal is seen throughout this situation, and parallels should be considered when modern prelates are caught in immoral practices, or have openly taught things against Christ and their office.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">While Indulgences were in fact being abused (active scandal), this is not where Luther’s objections stopped, nor was it the heart of his personal error. He interpreted Sacred Scripture with his own efforts instead of with the Church. Luther was attacking the penitential system of the Church itself, and the doctrine of ecclesiastical authority. He did not stop with the 95 theses, but continued in his errors on purgatory, salvation, the nature of man, and the authority of the Church and other things that have lead many souls on the path to damnation.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Aided by the printing press and academic system of the time, the speed at which this all took place was very fast. Imagine how much faster problems are disseminated in our “technologically advanced” times! There are even accounts of “fake news” during the 1500s that influenced situations surrounding Luther. Luther expressed his errors, given opportunity to change his convictions, and ultimately was corrected by Pope Leo X himself.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Pray for those who struggle with the errors of Luther. Pray for those who follow an ill-formed conscience. Pray for those who struggle to understand papal infallibility. Pray for those who have taken scandal, and for those who are giving it.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Online Sources:</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/09438b.htm" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/09438b.htm</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (Luther)</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/03145c.htm" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/03145c.htm</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (Cajetan)</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.papalencyclicals.net/leo10/l10exdom.htm" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">http://www.papalencyclicals.net/leo10/l10exdom.htm</span></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<a href="http://www.ewtn.com/library/councils/lateran5.htm" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">http://www.ewtn.com/library/councils/lateran5.htm</span></a></div>
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<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_Luther" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_Luther</span></a></div>
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<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ninety-five_Theses" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ninety-five_Theses</span></a></div>
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<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karl_von_Miltitz" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karl_von_Miltitz</span></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leipzig_Debate" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leipzig_Debate</span></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andreas_Karlstadt" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andreas_Karlstadt</span></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<a href="http://pitts.emory.edu/files/Documents/Tetzel.pdf" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">http://pitts.emory.edu/files/Documents/Tetzel.pdf</span></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.iclnet.org/pub/resources/text/wittenberg/luther/nine5-pope.txt" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">https://www.iclnet.org/pub/resources/text/wittenberg/luther/nine5-pope.txt</span></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.luther.de/en/95thesen.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">http://www.luther.de/en/95thesen.html</span></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://www.oocities.org/united_in_christ_3in1/95explained.pdf" style="text-decoration: none;">http://www.oocities.org/united_in_christ_3in1/95explained.pdf</a></span></div>
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<br />anonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12787815747756899970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5919959149255980579.post-22977960563622950652015-08-28T07:17:00.000-07:002015-08-28T08:07:05.247-07:00Thoughts on God as Fire<div>
I was researching something (verifying that I accurately remembered that Seraphim are the highest choir of angels) when I found this attributed to
Saint Thomas Aquinas regarding the nature of the name "Seraphim":</div>
<br />
<blockquote style="border: none; color: #222222; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;">
<div>
<i>"The name "Seraphim" does not come from charity only, but from the excess of charity, expressed by the word ardor or fire. Hence Dionysius
(Coel. Hier. vii) expounds the name "Seraphim" according to the properties of fire, containing an excess of heat. Now in fire we may consider three things.</i></div>
<br />
<div>
<i>"First, the movement which is upwards and continuous. This signifies that they are borne inflexibly towards God.</i></div>
<br />
<div>
<i>"Secondly, the active force which is "heat," which is not found in fire simply, but exists with a certain sharpness, as being of most penetrating action,
and reaching even to the smallest things, and as it were, with superabundant fervor; whereby is signified the action of these angels, exercised powerfully upon those
who are subject to them, rousing them to a like fervor, and cleansing them wholly by their heat.</i></div>
<br />
<div>
<i>"Thirdly we consider in fire the quality of clarity, or brightness; which signifies that these angels have in themselves an inextinguishable light, and
that they also perfectly enlighten others."</i></div>
</blockquote>
<br />
<div>
Since the Seraphim would not be their own source of "Illuminating Fire," it's logical that this property is derived not just merely from God <i>per se</i> but due to
their<b> <i>relative spiritual proximity</i></b> to God. In other words, because they are the highest angels they exhibit more of the qualities of God: in this
case the piercing, penetrating, brilliant, radiating fire. This would correspond with an idea I've had that the Fire of God is everywhere in eternity and that it's
the disposition of one's soul which determines whether this penetrating and illuminating fire is glorification or damnation. It sure gives a concreteness to the notion that
the souls in hell <b>damn themselves</b> more than God sending them there of His volition.</div>
<br />
<div>
It would also suggest that the ranks of hell are "geographically inverted" from the way we think of it: that the higher (less severe) levels of hell are mystically
farther from God such that the intensity of God's Fire affects them less than those who are closer/at the deeper levels of hell... and that attaining certain Sacramental
characters (Baptism, Confirmation, Holy Orders) puts a leash on damned souls, preventing them from fleeing further from the Divine Fire than souls lacking those characters.</div>
<br />
<div>
Another consideration: the highest of angels, being closest to the source of the illuminating Divine Fire, in communicating this perfection to the other angels...
was the Light Bearer (Lucifer). This would also explain why the Sacred and Immaculate Hearts are always pictured as being on fire, and it makes me wonder if martyrdom by
fire is the most glorious way to exit this mortal coil.</div>
<br />
<div>
Lots of food for contemplation here and it makes me wonder if this Truth is why every human being is inexplicably drawn to stare at a campfire... because at a certain
level we know we're seeing a glimpse of the most fundamental Truth there is.</div>
Roman McClainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14344925402020577639noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5919959149255980579.post-46099084980850985662015-07-27T07:30:00.000-07:002015-07-27T17:29:50.699-07:00Men vs. Women -- FIGHT!As if the differences God gave us -- and the craziness of our culture and times -- wasn't enough, cordial relations between young Catholic men and women have to suffer the onslaughts of idiots and mouth-breathing cretins from time to time as well.<br />
<br />
This morning I saw the following post in my Facebook timeline:<br />
<br />
<blockquote style="border: none; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;"><i>"If girls that come from Traditional Catholic families were as great as they think they are, they'd all be married."</i></span></blockquote>
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;">
<br /></div>
I don't envy the position of young traditional Catholic women today. For the most part the prospects of those called to marriage suck. There are so few financially established young men who are looking to marry that they pretty much have their run of the field in selecting a potential wife. (Of course a guy in that position is established in more than his finances... he's more selfish and insistent on getting his way than he realizes but marriage will awaken him to this reality in short order.)<br />
<br />
I will grant that some -- not all, but SOME -- young Catholic women, if they aren't married by 23, develop a bitter resentfulness that they were made to wait for their man to come along when they "should have been married and having babies" for the last five years. This is a very unattractive attitude and I know of one guy (who was closer to 30 than 25) who dated (and later married) a 19 year old girl "because she didn't have the 'why am I still single?' bitterness that the 25 year old women in the parish have."<br />
<br />
That said, there are issues on both sides of this gender debate (because Original Sin, duh!) and any man who has the audacity to blame the women for his plight in not finding the perfect wife is an idiot and a jerk. And if he has the audacity to say something like the quote above, either on Facebook or in real life, you women should be THANKFUL that he's unmasked himself as an unworthy loser... he just saved you the trouble of having to date/court him (or worse yet, marry him!) before learning his true colors (mostly yellow, but I digress).<br />
<br />
If you're still reading this, dear boys and girls, and you get nothing else from this little article, memorize the following: if you do manage to find that elusive "perfect dream spouse" then don't forget that marriage is a vocation undertaken in the shadow of the Cross of Christ Crucified, and it's going to royally suck at times. Marriage is a VOCATION and it is how worldly idiots like us are purged of our attachments, vanities, and selfishness and converted into Saints. Make no mistake: even the best marriages are like purgatory on earth at times: seize those opportunities to get your purgatory done now rather than later... and another secret if you're inclined to listen: if you can handle those times with good humor and a smile while helping your spouse during those hard times then your spouse will think all the more highly of you and do their utmost to be their best for you (it's something called a win-win: look it up).<br />
<br />
The only other advice I would give dating/courting couples (aside from "courtship is overrated") is to find someone who laughs and can make you laugh, because that will make the hard times so much easier to take.Roman McClainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14344925402020577639noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5919959149255980579.post-21012781482585797632014-03-03T14:59:00.002-08:002014-03-03T16:06:05.079-08:00Please forgive me...For if you will forgive men their offences, your heavenly Father will forgive you also your offences. (<a href="http://www.veritasbible.com/drb/compare/lvb:haydock/Matthew_6:14">Matthew 6:14</a>).<br />
<br />
For many Catholics, Lent has is already underway. Eastern Catholics refer to today as "Clean Monday". Liturgically, Clean Monday and thus Lent itself, begins on the <a href="http://orthodoxwiki.org/Cheesefare_Sunday">preceding night</a> with Forgiveness Vespers, which culminates with the Ceremony of Mutual Forgiveness, at which all present ask one another for forgiveness. The emphasis on forgiveness helps the faithful to go deeper than change of diet and application of ecclesiastical regulation. (The idea is not to avoid these practices, but to avoid hypocrisy.) <br />
<br />
Forgiveness, being central to our Faith prepares us to go before our Lord. <br />
<br />
<blockquote>With the beginning of Lent upon us, I ask God and you for the forgiveness of all my offenses conscious and unconscious, voluntary and involuntary. I am sorry for all that I did, and all that I did not do, in failing to fulfill my responsibility to holiness and Christ-like behavior in my conversations, friendships, and duties toward God and you. <br />
<br />
Please forgive me, I am a sinner.<br />
</blockquote><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5qm7BE8TcOMYPDf7ww8Wyap5QJKRHqr8DhoBipfYPuYoj-CRB5IHFzu50P6dayUiNYsZ6CKYYBHj3wUwTovun2wqKJRytTaNVfF-S4rdq4D-UXqa3Ad-zpah6UXqiyG5ylVTALq0oqtE/s1600/Titian_-_Christ_and_the_Good_Thief_-_WGA22832%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5qm7BE8TcOMYPDf7ww8Wyap5QJKRHqr8DhoBipfYPuYoj-CRB5IHFzu50P6dayUiNYsZ6CKYYBHj3wUwTovun2wqKJRytTaNVfF-S4rdq4D-UXqa3Ad-zpah6UXqiyG5ylVTALq0oqtE/s1600/Titian_-_Christ_and_the_Good_Thief_-_WGA22832%5B1%5D.jpg" height="360" width="400" /></a></div>anonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12787815747756899970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5919959149255980579.post-72452160886349016982013-05-07T13:58:00.000-07:002013-05-07T14:05:42.660-07:00Angels and Snakes: How they fit in with Divine ProvidenceIt seems that I have earned myself a new label. Not only am I your run of the mill anti-semitic-prudish-rad-trad-chauvinistic-sinning-meat-eating(except on Fridays)-Catholic ... I am also a Providentialist! (I have no idea where to put that in my ever growing hyphenated list of qualifications.) <br />
<br />
Why is this label fitting for me? No, I do not I sit around all day <a href="http://www.audiosancto.org/sermon/20130505-The-Spiritual-Danger-of-Expectations.html">expecting</a> God to fill the fridge, and buy my kids their clothing. It is not because I <a href="http://www.audiosancto.org/sermon/20130505-The-Spiritual-Danger-of-Expectations.html">expect</a> my bank account to have enough money in it to pay the bills while I waste away on the social networks. I do not fail to set an alarm <a href="http://www.audiosancto.org/sermon/20130505-The-Spiritual-Danger-of-Expectations.html">expecting</a> God to send His angels to wake me up when He wants me to get up. I do not let snakes bite me and <a href="http://www.audiosancto.org/sermon/20130505-The-Spiritual-Danger-of-Expectations.html">expect</a>... well... that might be some other thing people do.<br />
<br />
I am a "Providentialsist" because my wife and I are not in any serious (by our own estimation, or as defined by the Church) situation where we need to postpone the potential for having children, and we thank God for this blessing. This situation is not our doing, but God's. <br />
<br />
As far as name-calling is concerned, this one is odd. (I suppose many of them are.) At the root, It suggests one who depends on <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/12510a.htm">Divine Providence</a>. (who doesn't?) However. It is used in a way that hints that we are tempting God with our actions. Acting without "prudence" and due care for the future well being of my family. <br />
<br />
My wife and I love each other dearly. We love our children. We are not perfect, and don't have it all figured out, but there is nothing wrong or sinful with trusting God and working with Him towards the welfare of our souls, and those of the Children he has given us. The Catholic Church bolsters us in these choices, and I am thankful for that too. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguKsVS7ShfkrAvqlLKQBJXeiUaNa0l5_cWQDqFIf4PH0LXftBQrNgfBk97YCiQVKGTl4_asfXiICosgE-mm8VYX8Iyh-MHhRn3wLpC6GHvSN3whaxArr1h4_hm8BDh1BFP2bIvoAFmg6w/s1600/our-lady-of-divine-providence.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguKsVS7ShfkrAvqlLKQBJXeiUaNa0l5_cWQDqFIf4PH0LXftBQrNgfBk97YCiQVKGTl4_asfXiICosgE-mm8VYX8Iyh-MHhRn3wLpC6GHvSN3whaxArr1h4_hm8BDh1BFP2bIvoAFmg6w/s400/our-lady-of-divine-providence.jpg" width="323" /></a></div><br />
anonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12787815747756899970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5919959149255980579.post-23755969615053522232013-04-12T14:23:00.000-07:002013-04-15T06:43:05.271-07:00Future Sellout Elected to Lead SSPX "Strict Observance"<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6YjTBEJRc4dX6TX6x9hH5iYM5shH1mXYa9ox_WfzpV3M5W01LLOOShR3mTL2x_pkaFRek6plOm10xMNUqekzLz7c_3if4-zlDFxY5Q4TxbiNtfjACCopZGVIjM4zvWU5ObqPTIG750HI/s1600/joepfeiffer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Fr. Joe Pfeiffer, leader of the SSPX-SO" border="0" height="143" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6YjTBEJRc4dX6TX6x9hH5iYM5shH1mXYa9ox_WfzpV3M5W01LLOOShR3mTL2x_pkaFRek6plOm10xMNUqekzLz7c_3if4-zlDFxY5Q4TxbiNtfjACCopZGVIjM4zvWU5ObqPTIG750HI/s200/joepfeiffer.jpg" title="" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pfeiffer (above) denies he's unpopular<br />
with the priests of the SSPX-SO.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Pfeifferville, KY (TradNewsNetwork) -- According to an SSPX-SO press release, Father Joseph Pfeiffer has been elected as the first leader of the so-called "Society of St. Pius X of the Strict Observance" (SSPX-SO) by his fellow priests, and has announced a Pacific Tour to bring former SSPX priests and laypeople into the organization. This recruiting tour, however, is already being met with suspicion by fellow SSPX-SO priests. "We don't trust him -- we are self-sufficient the way we are, we don't need to grow the organization" said one priest who asked we not use his name. "How can we be sure these new recruits aren't spies trying to infiltrate us? This sounds like a complete sell-out of the principles on which we were founded!" Another priest questioned Pfeiffer's leadership agenda of "growing the SSPX-SO organization" as a failing of the group's core mission to criticize Bernard Fellay and the Society of Saint Pius X (SSPX). Paraphrasing Saint Bernard of Clairvoux, the priest rhetorically asked "What good is the leader of the SSPX-SO if he's not barking at the SSPX?"<br />
<br />
Pfeiffer dismisses reports of dissension and is asking for complete transparency at each of his organization's venues. "Communications are to be open, unambiguously antagonistic of [Bishop] Fellay, and our Mass locations are to be made publicly known." Pfeiffer asserts that Fellay has used "Communist tactics" in attempting to scare the priests and supporters of the SSPX with threats of reprisals should they consider supporting the SSPX-SO. This message will be at the heart of his Asian tour, which will begin at the end of April 2013 and include appearances in Australia, India, and Singapore. Pfeiffer indicated that other venues will be added as traditional Catholics in other countries request a visit (Catholics interested in a visit from Fr. Pfeiffer are advised to visit the SSPX-SO's MySpace page and leave a comment). <br />
<br />
"I'm excited about this tour and hope to greatly expand our organization" Pfeiffer said. He will need to act fast. According to unnamed sources there are already plans afoot to launch a new organization dubbed the "SSPX-SO-SO" whose goal would be the "conservative, non-evangelical preservation of sacred tradition" though all SSPX-SO priests contacted for comment claimed not to know anything about such plans.Roman McClainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14344925402020577639noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5919959149255980579.post-69935010475216747852013-04-01T15:25:00.001-07:002013-04-09T13:49:48.399-07:00Washing the feet, of the gentler sex, on ThursdayDietrich von Hildebrand asks the question: "Does Catholic orthodoxy and filial submission to the Vicar of Christ require one to hail every practical decision of the Holy Father?" There are Catholics who answer this question with a strong resolved: <i>"Yes, and those who do not hail or praise every practical decision of the Holy Father are acting against orthodoxy."</i> I believe this unfortunate conclusion is founded on a common misunderstanding of <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/07790a.htm#IIIB">papal infallibility</a> and on some well-intentioned but misguided respect of the one who holds this Holy Office. <br />
<br />
It is ridiculous to 'hail' or 'praise' some action of the Holy Father <b>only</b> because it is an action of the Holy Father. It is also ridiculous to condemn some action of the Holy Father because it is an action of the Holy Father. It just does not make any sense. It is unreasonable. While I know that examples do exist, I do not believe the later scenario happens nearly as frequent as the former. (That is only my observation, and not something I would argue very strongly on if challenged.)<br />
<br />
If the pope were to modify or adapt some legal requirement for this or that, you should not say, that modification is good because the pope did it. Knowing this modification has come from the Holy Father, you might first choose to seek a good reasonable explanation. You might resolve to state that you do not have enough information to understand the decision made. In the end if there is a judgment to be made, you would state that it is good or unfortunate because of something having to do specifically with the change itself. You would not base the judgment simply on the fact that the pope made the modification. (I hope it is clear what I took three paragraphs to say.) <br />
<br />
So to the topic. I should confess that while I knew of the foot washing -- of the gentler sex -- by the Holy Father... I have ignored the topic completely -- until today. For whatever reason I choose to read G+ as my first activity after consecrating my day. Much of this post comes from my participation in a <a href="https://plus.google.com/u/0/113710024776967726173/posts/cXgFgdxiq3P">discussion</a> on the Holy Thursday washing of feet. <br />
<br />
Some facts (by which I mean that I do not think they are debatable):<br />
1) There currently (at least before Thursday) exists a law that directs the washing of feet to take place with men only. <br />
2) This law is an example of such a law that the Holy Father has authority to change. <br />
3) The Holy Father washed women's feet without formally changing the law.<br />
<br />
Now, I honestly do not know if <b>this law</b> in <b>this specific circumstance</b> can be changed simply by the action of the Holy Father. I suspect that good canon lawyers might even have some disagreement on the subject. I had an opinion... but I am not a canon lawyer, and I am fairly sure that my opinion was wrong.<br />
<br />
What I will say is that I find it unwise that the Holy Father, who as supreme legislator could have formally changed this law -- didn't -- before performing an action (licitly or illicitly) that was contrary to the law as written. I say it is unwise because even if the Holy Father's action is within the law, the fact remains that the contrary is still "on the books" and confusion has resulted. Those who disobediently went against the law, acting as their own pontiffs for years, point to the Holy Father's action to support their disobedience. Many who have defended the law are now set in confusion. The defense of "caritas ante lex" with references to our Lord and the Pharisees only serves to cloud the subject further. All the while... the importance of Holy Thursday seems left the dust. <br />
<br />
Please note that I did not say it was "unwise because Pope Francis did it." (I also have not offered judgment on the washing of 'non-viri' feet!) I hope that if one were to explain why they believe it was a good idea to forgo a formal change before the action, that they also provide more than "it is good because Pope Francis did it." For those of you who do not think I can love our Holy Father and find this practical action unwise -- please read Dietrich von Hildebrand's response to the question above: <a href="http://anonisnowhere.blogspot.com/2012/04/belief-and-obedience-critical.html">Belief and Obedience: The Critical Difference</a><br />
<br />
If the pope intended to change the law, it seems that it would have been better for him to change law prior to performing the action. He could have done this but from what I know, he did not. To date <a href="http://www.ewtn.com/vnews/getstory.asp?number=124962">Fr. Lombardi has given comment</a>, but I think more (read better) explanation could be given. Hopefully more explanation comes long before next Holy Thursday. <br />
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Edit: Fr. Byers <a href="http://holysoulshermitage.com/2013/03/30/if-you-want-a-scriptural-analysis-of-the-washing-of-feet-mandatum-here-it-is/">provides some thoughts</a> and <a href="http://holysoulshermitage.com/2013/03/30/if-you-want-a-scriptural-analysis-of-the-washing-of-feet-mandatum-here-it-is/#comments">addresses some commentary</a> that I should have read before writing this post.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ2FNl-CbVeb31eKVuHaXkqndsUjYAXa_NLiVW8iM8RiS2YQmtu5lD7PqehZehp3RKk1G3MCb7RkiaNdKNRWTZF2t-Ovc2-0V_O-zZbe30eclgin8r3-IOon6vXkkayENpLLPBNf5Qjz4/s1600/1024px-Palma_Giovane_wash%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ2FNl-CbVeb31eKVuHaXkqndsUjYAXa_NLiVW8iM8RiS2YQmtu5lD7PqehZehp3RKk1G3MCb7RkiaNdKNRWTZF2t-Ovc2-0V_O-zZbe30eclgin8r3-IOon6vXkkayENpLLPBNf5Qjz4/s400/1024px-Palma_Giovane_wash%5B1%5D.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
anonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12787815747756899970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5919959149255980579.post-21241942452429843522013-03-19T09:24:00.000-07:002013-03-19T09:27:37.908-07:00Unfinishable Poetic Attempt at Honor: Feast of St. JosephThis past weekend I started a poem intended to be published today for the Feast of <a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.newadvent.org/cathen/08504a.htm">St. Joseph</a>. My aim was to flash moments of Joseph's life and virtue, their relation to our Holy Queen, and Her Son our Lord. I wanted to start with the choosing of Joseph, and move through to the flight into Egypt. Ridiculously, I procrastinated despite the fact I was excited to work on it. The rushed effort started as well as it could have until I got to the <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/03779a.htm">Circumcision of our Lord</a>. I could not push past it. One mangled stanza was not enough. (Three where not enough.) My thoughts on previous moments were juvenilely dull, and the evidence matched. <br />
<br />
<blockquote>As Christ wished to fulfill the law and to show His descent according to the flesh from Abraham. He, though not bound by the law, was circumcised <b>on the eighth day</b> (<a href="http://www.veritasbible.com/drb/compare/lvb:haydock:catena/Luke_2:21">Luke 2:21</a>), and received the sublime name expressive of His office, Jesus, i.e. Saviour.</blockquote><br />
A significant amount of art and imagery depicts the sacred event being performed by a priest in the temple, or in synagogue. However there are some paintings, and some Catholic authors who in fact have the event being performed by St. Joseph. It is my opinion, along with some of the Doctors of our Faith, that the later is the accurate. As my dribblings on St. Joseph are inadequate, I instead quote from <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/14703a.htm">Edward Healy Thompson's</a> book titled: "<a href="http://books.google.com/books?id=XlhGAAAAYAAJ">The Life and Glories of St. Joseph</a>". Emphasis mine:<br />
<br />
<blockquote>But who was the minister of the rite? The Evangelist is silent on this point. Imagination has accordingly allowed itself full scope, and painters have been pleased to introduce into their representations a priest in his sacerdotal vestments; but we have no authority for supposing that any priest came to the stable of Bethlehem to circumcise Jesus. <b>The opinion of those doctors who believe that the minister of the circumcision of Jesus was Joseph appears the most probable.</b> St. Ephrem the Syrian, a most ancient writer and contemporary of St. Basil, one who was well acquainted with the traditions of his native land, and highly esteemed both for his science and his piety, says expressly that it was Joseph who circumcised Jesus. Writing in confutation of those heretics who ascribed to our Lord a phantastic body, he says: "If Jesus Christ had not true flesh, whom did Joseph circumcise?" Thus he refers to it as to an unquestioned fact. St. Bernard, Suarez, and many others also believe that Joseph circumcised Jesus, because <b>he who circumcised an infant was the same also who imposed the name; and it was Joseph who gave Jesus His name.</b> This opinion, then, has been generally adopted. <b>The precept of circumcision was addressed to the heads of families; it was the office of the father, unless a priest took his place.</b></blockquote><br />
There is nothing written there that is overly remarkable. It contains evidence and facts or support for something much deeper. (Please pray to the Blessed Virgin before reading this next quote.) <br />
<br />
<blockquote>Joseph, then, as Isolano says, circumcised Jesus as his son. On him we may believe devolved this <b>solemn and painful duty</b>. <b>Jesus was circumcised by Joseph on Mary's knees</b>, no other eyes beholding the <b>first drops of the Precious Blood flow</b> except those of the holy angels, and no other ears save theirs <b>hearing the wail of the Divine Infant</b>. In this act <b>Joseph accomplished three sacrifices in one</b>: the sacrifice of Jesus, who <b>began the great work of our redemption by suffering</b> in His innocent members; the sacrifice of Mary, who with <b>indescribable sorrow</b>, but with perfect resignation, offered her Son to the Eternal Father, and held, as it were, the victim bound; <b>and the sacrifice of himself, who had to nerve his hand to perform an act so painful and repugnant to his tender heart.</b> It was an act of <a href="http://anonisnowhere.blogspot.com/2011/03/you-need-to-be-heroic.html">heroic</a> <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/11181c.htm">obedience</a> and <a href="http://anonisnowhere.blogspot.com/2010/12/man-up.html">fortitude</a> on his part, <b>greater, St. Bernard says, than was that of Abraham in sacrificing his son Isaac</b>; for <b>Joseph loved Jesus incomparably more</b> than Abraham did his son Isaac, and well knew the difference between the son of any mortal man and the Son of the Eternal God. <b>Thus the knife which cut the flesh of Jesus wounded the heart and pierced the soul of Joseph. Here there was no angel to stay his hand. The act must be accomplished, and in performing it Joseph was, indeed, more than a martyr.</b><br />
<br />
Then, too, was that name pronounced over the Divine Infant at which "every knee," as the Apostle <a href="http://www.veritasbible.com/drb/compare/lvb:haydock/Philippians_2:9-11">tells us</a>, should bow of those who are in heaven, on earth, and under the earth; and it was by the lips of Joseph that it was pronounced. St. Luke only <a href="http://www.veritasbible.com/drb/compare/lvb:haydock:catena/Luke_2:21">says</a> that His name was called Jesus, without specifying by whom; but from St. Matthew it <a href="http://www.veritasbible.com/drb/compare/lvb:haydock:catena/Matthew_1:19-21">would appear</a> that it was Joseph; for the angel had said to him: "Thou shalt call His name Jesus". It was, indeed, <b>no little glory</b> to Joseph to receive an embassage from Heaven commissioning him to confer this name. Jesus is the Son of the Eternal Father; <b>to the Eternal Father, therefore, it belonged to impose the name; and yet He commissioned St. Joseph to exercise that right in His place.</b> Joseph, says Isidoro Isolano, is the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enos_(biblical_figure)">Enos</a> of the New Testament, <a href="http://www.veritasbible.com/drb/compare/lvb:haydock/genesis_4:26">who first</a> began to invoke the Name of the Lord. That profound theologian, <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/13402b.htm">Salmeron</a>, who was present at the Council of Trent, did not scruple to say that in this sole act of giving to Jesus His name was declared the whole paternal office of Joseph, as by the sole act of feeding the sheep of Christ was signified the full power and jurisdiction of Peter over the Church. Whence Isidoro Isolano draws the conclusion that <b>Joseph in God's sight is superior to all the other saints, because no other was exalted to so high a dignity</b>.</blockquote><br />
St. Joseph, circumcisor of God, Pray for us.<br />
St. Joseph, name conferrer of God, Pray for us. <br />
<br />
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anonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12787815747756899970noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5919959149255980579.post-76026083606600645752013-03-16T12:45:00.002-07:002013-03-16T12:45:31.890-07:00Why the Holy Father Really Chose the Name Francis<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/t2XiT76tgCo" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>anonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12787815747756899970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5919959149255980579.post-39676386065106860522013-03-14T18:25:00.002-07:002013-03-14T19:06:15.241-07:00Which St. Francis is it?From which saints did our Holy Father name himself? St. Francis of Assisi? St. Francis Xavier? There are many other Saints by that name. This is a shortened list. <br />
<ol><li><a href="http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=5884">St. Francis Ch’oe Kyong-Hwan</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=5653">St. Francis Trung Van Tran</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=5703">St. Francis Xavier Bianchi</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=50">St. Francis of Assisi</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=643">St. Francis Borgia</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=3439">St. Francis Caracciolo</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=7179">St. Francis Chieu Van Do</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=3441">St. Francis de Morales</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=51">St. Francis de Sales</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=3443">St. Francis Fasani</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=7181">St. Francis Ferdinand de Capillas</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=3444">St. Francis Galvez</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=3445">St. Francis Gil de Frederich</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=3446">St. Francis Isidore Gagelin</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=3447">St. Francis Jaccard</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=3448">St. Francis Jerome</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=644">St. Francis Nagasaki</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=645">St. Francis of Paola</a> <b>a good friend!</b></li>
<li><a href="http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=3452">St. Francis of Pesaro</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=3453">St. Francis of St. Bonaventure</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=3454">St. Francis of St. Mary</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=3455">St. Francis of St. Michael</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=3456">St. Francis Pacheco</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=3457">St. Francis Page</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=3459">St. Francis Rod</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=646">St. Francis Solano</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=7182">St. Francis Tchang-Iun</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=3462">St. Francis Trung</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=423">St. Francis Xavier</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=3464">St. Francis Xavier Can</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=3465">St. Francis Xavier Mau</a></li>
</ol>All of the above?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrj3eh6Cv_V-GVXzqCOH5YGwt0H3IYG2n1NqZyw25hLGJJADROjxvJKcH4g2ycjsuwtLvZ5UCwFbyxMUVGkOgKPLq7oY_Klw3vb9qewdtxefwlA-JaVYEqbj8Ym-3iHSwqJwyvW8vutGI/s1600/Bartolom%25C3%25A9_Esteban_Murillo_(Spanish_-_The_Vision_of_Saint_Francis_of_Paola_-_Google_Art_Project%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrj3eh6Cv_V-GVXzqCOH5YGwt0H3IYG2n1NqZyw25hLGJJADROjxvJKcH4g2ycjsuwtLvZ5UCwFbyxMUVGkOgKPLq7oY_Klw3vb9qewdtxefwlA-JaVYEqbj8Ym-3iHSwqJwyvW8vutGI/s400/Bartolom%25C3%25A9_Esteban_Murillo_(Spanish_-_The_Vision_of_Saint_Francis_of_Paola_-_Google_Art_Project%5B1%5D.jpg" width="310" /></a></div><br />
anonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12787815747756899970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5919959149255980579.post-51928144176960542252013-03-14T15:51:00.000-07:002013-03-14T15:54:15.780-07:00Pope Francis: First SermonThe text that follows is quote from the Holy Father Pope Francis' first sermon. Can you say "New Evangelization"? The rest of his sermon with my emphasis and links are after the break. <br />
<br />
<blockquote>...we can walk as much we want, we can build many things, but if we do not confess Jesus Christ, nothing will avail. We will become a pitiful <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Non-governmental_organization">NGO</a>, but not the Church, the Bride of Christ. When one does not walk, one stalls. When one does not built on solid rocks, what happens? What happens is what happens to children on the beach when they make sandcastles: everything collapses, it is without consistency. When one does not profess Jesus Christ - I recall the phrase of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/L%C3%A9on_Bloy">Leon Bloy</a> – <b>"Whoever does not pray to God, prays to the devil." When one does not profess Jesus Christ, one professes the worldliness of the devil.</b></blockquote><a name='more'></a><br />
<blockquote>In these three readings [<a href="http://www.veritasbible.com/drb/compare/lvb:haydock/Isaias_2:2-5">Isaiah 2:2-5</a>, <a href="http://www.veritasbible.com/drb/compare/lvb:haydock/1_peter_2:4-9">1 Peter 2:4-9</a>, <a href="http://www.veritasbible.com/drb/compare/lvb:haydock/matthew_16:13-19">Matthew 16:13-19</a>] I see that there is something in common: it is movement. In the first reading, movement is the journey [itself]; in the second reading, movement is in the up-building of the Church. In the third, in the Gospel, the movement is in [the act of] profession: walking, building, professing. <br />
<br />
Walking: the House of Jacob. "O house of Jacob, Come, let us walk in the light of the Lord." This is the first thing God said to Abraham: "Walk in my presence and be blameless." Walking: our life is a journey and <b>when we stop, there is something wrong</b>. Walking always, in the presence of the Lord, in the light of the Lord, seeking to live with that blamelessness, which God asks of Abraham, in his promise.<br />
<br />
Building: to build the Church. There is talk of stones: stones have consistency, but [the stones spoken of are] living stones, stones anointed by the Holy Spirit. <b>Build up the Church, the Bride of Christ, the cornerstone of which is the same Lord</b>. With [every] movement in our lives, let us build! <br />
<br />
Third, professing: we can walk as much we want, we can build many things, but if we do not confess Jesus Christ, nothing will avail. We will become a pitiful <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Non-governmental_organization">NGO</a>, but not the Church, the Bride of Christ. When one does not walk, one stalls. When one does not built on solid rocks, what happens? What happens is what happens to children on the beach when they make sandcastles: everything collapses, it is without consistency. When one does not profess Jesus Christ - I recall the phrase of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/L%C3%A9on_Bloy">Leon Bloy</a> – <b>"Whoever does not pray to God, prays to the devil." When one does not profess Jesus Christ, one professes the worldliness of the devil.</b><br />
<br />
Walking, building-constructing, professing: the thing, however, is not so easy, because in walking, in building, in professing, there are sometimes shake-ups - there are movements that are not part of the path: there are movements that pull us back. <br />
<br />
This Gospel continues with a special situation. The same Peter who confessed Jesus Christ, says, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God. I will follow you, but let us not speak of the Cross. This has nothing to do with it." He says, "I'll follow you on other ways, that do not include the Cross." <b>When we walk without the Cross, when we build without the Cross, and when we profess Christ without the Cross, we are not disciples of the Lord. We are worldly, we are bishops, priests, cardinals, Popes, but not disciples of the Lord</b>. <br />
<br />
I would like that all of us, after these days of grace, might have the courage - <b>the courage</b> - to walk in the presence of the Lord, with the Cross of the Lord: to build the Church on the Blood of the Lord, which is shed on the Cross, and to profess the one glory, Christ Crucified. In this way, the Church will go forward. <br />
<br />
<b>My hope for all of us is that the Holy Spirit, that the prayer of Our Lady, our Mother, might grant us this grace: to walk, to build, to profess Jesus Christ Crucified. So be it.</b></blockquote><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtdQzXmvT2lCoXezvRlunjzNnkXQzW3lGrqFjYkWzWLV6brJoo9dTu0gWNiBDmdpNgkDFoM1X7qSnmuTvErTEjQKnZwY0KYS_IaGI1vJh-nQvqKM9ASYw0aVYKEawJDJl4sZVvRupLTDI/s1600/Pope-Francis--homily-jpg%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtdQzXmvT2lCoXezvRlunjzNnkXQzW3lGrqFjYkWzWLV6brJoo9dTu0gWNiBDmdpNgkDFoM1X7qSnmuTvErTEjQKnZwY0KYS_IaGI1vJh-nQvqKM9ASYw0aVYKEawJDJl4sZVvRupLTDI/s400/Pope-Francis--homily-jpg%5B1%5D.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>anonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12787815747756899970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5919959149255980579.post-32830372932750252452013-03-14T13:38:00.000-07:002013-04-12T15:16:08.673-07:00My 'trad' Thoughts on Pope Francis<br />
I have started, and then trashed this post multiple times now. Every time I have started this post, I do so in response to emails, chats, G+ comments and conversations where it has been pointed out that some 'trads' online are posting opinions and speculation about Pope Francis. I get almost all the way through writing the post, and then sense that the storm has passed... so I delete the draft. This afternoon I received too many comments in too close a time period to believe that this is stopping. <br />
<br />
Yes, I saw some of the bitter hateful comments posted by various Catholics yesterday and today. I saw the same people making the same comments under multiple venues. Shame on them, but is this a surprise? I bet you can't guess what the perpetual sedevacantists are saying? (I honestly have a hard time understanding, why they even care?) Thank goodness <a href="http://www.veritasbible.com/drb/compare/haydock/Luke_18:11">we are not like them</a> -- right? <br />
<br />
There are a number of blogs that, with <a href="http://holysoulshermitage.com/2013/03/13/rorate-caelis-diatribe-against-pope-francis/">Charity</a>, have <a href="http://wdtprs.com/blog/2013/03/what-is-that-banana-peal-doing-on-my-sidewalk/">called out</a> the bitter minded fellow Catholics on their actions. However, there are also those who have taken the opportunity to act just as bitter in their rants on traditionally minded Catholics. <br />
<br />
I emphasize that there is no universal 'trad' creed other than the Creeds of our Catholic Faith. There are some obvious similarities between traditional minded Catholics, but stop presuming that you have them all figured out because you attend a parish that was in the same city of an 'Indult' Mass back in the 1980's; or because you once got in an argument with someone over chapel veils. (Will chapel-veil-Nazis ever learn?) <br />
<br />
Show some reserve before you pick off the low hanging fruit that some bitter Catholics leave dangling. Many of these bitter individuals can be likened to the way a child acts when they have been abused or neglected by a parent, such as their father. Some of these people have been neglected and abused by their spiritual fathers. (No, I am not talking specifically of sexual abuse.) <br />
<br />
Do not misunderstand me. I am not saying that 'bad' actions are 'good', or that misguided 'intentions' somehow magically make their actions 'sweet'. I agree that people need to accept crosses that have been given to them instead of letting it crush them in sadness and despair.<br />
<br />
Do you really care what I think about Pope Francis? To answer the question-- in spite of my latent stoicism, I am overwhelmed with joy that we have a pope. I was welled up with it during the papal blessing. <i>What do I think about our Holy Father who used to be a cardinal?</i> Before yesterday I knew hardly a thing about him. <i>What about the Jesuit background?</i> It gives me pause, but I actually know of some <a href="http://www.therealpresence.org/archives/archives.htm">good Jesuits</a>. <i>What do I think about him now that he is Pope Francis?</i> I hardly know him, he has only been our pope since yesterday. I am excited to see what Pope Francis does to live up to the name he chose. I am excited to pray and fast for him -- and as it is still the Holy Season of Lent, I plan on doing quite a bit of that. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_cze8HfqiiWPfIhMihWqBPkwErp4WpnzUbt7L5qfz-1JWbTu-M_lDHduo4SCIVt3KjZLbPO5d38itCqG4EPhf8NfWPe5Vo7HBM5P-UjtnTUYbW3d-Oxqa9xxnX_-LMLNy2aqoZrX4wL0/s1600/popefrancis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_cze8HfqiiWPfIhMihWqBPkwErp4WpnzUbt7L5qfz-1JWbTu-M_lDHduo4SCIVt3KjZLbPO5d38itCqG4EPhf8NfWPe5Vo7HBM5P-UjtnTUYbW3d-Oxqa9xxnX_-LMLNy2aqoZrX4wL0/s400/popefrancis.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
anonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12787815747756899970noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5919959149255980579.post-41192699747408974012013-03-13T11:19:00.002-07:002013-03-13T18:57:40.138-07:00White Smoke!<h4>"Miserando atque eligendo"</h4><blockquote>Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio on 17 December 1936) is the 265th and current pope of the Catholic Church, elected on 13 March 2013. In that role he is both the leader of the Church and Sovereign of the Vatican City State. Francis is the first Jesuit pope, the first from outside of Europe in more than a millennium, the first from the Americas, and the first from the Southern Hemisphere.</blockquote><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtqXPhXUHxZx69lzt_XIy1izRvgknFMKffoc01oR5Q7laQ3cgshot2vi5gXe1ol-OLNuWxqujtj_2w_6ZpD_uhcLP3eonNLTpewfQ0kFUfFKOnDTPB3sG2VSlKSe1LypIqLD8w8Yz7K84/s1600/habamus.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtqXPhXUHxZx69lzt_XIy1izRvgknFMKffoc01oR5Q7laQ3cgshot2vi5gXe1ol-OLNuWxqujtj_2w_6ZpD_uhcLP3eonNLTpewfQ0kFUfFKOnDTPB3sG2VSlKSe1LypIqLD8w8Yz7K84/s320/habamus.jpg" /></a>anonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12787815747756899970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5919959149255980579.post-60060561975371593952013-03-13T04:22:00.000-07:002013-03-13T04:24:54.815-07:00Conclave: YouTubeLive Stream<iframe width="575" height="323" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/AgTEpl0Yyiw?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AgTEpl0Yyiw">Link</a>anonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12787815747756899970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5919959149255980579.post-32000834132698462342013-03-12T09:28:00.000-07:002013-03-12T09:28:02.379-07:00Past Sede Vacante periods How long might we have to wait before we hear the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AalJWEiAu7E">Habemus Papam</a>? The <a href="http://papastronsay.blogspot.com/">Transalpine Redemptorists</a> have provided a list of some of the <a href="http://papastronsay.blogspot.com/2013/02/sede-vacante-mmxiii.html">historic time periods</a>. Keep in mind that these past periods started with the death of the preceding pope. Today, March 12th 2013, we are on the 12th day. <br />
<br />
1799: Pius VI - Pius VII <b>~207 days</b> (longest)<br />
1823: Pius VII - Leo XII <b>~39 days</b><br />
1829: Leo XII - Pius VIII <b>~49 days</b><br />
1830: Pius VIII - Gregory XVI <b>~63 days</b><br />
1846: Gregory XVI - Pius IX <b>~15 days</b><br />
1878: Pius IX - Leo XIII <b>~13 days</b> (shortest)<br />
1903: Leo XIII - Pius X <b>~15 days</b><br />
1914: Pius X - Benedict XV <b>~14 days</b><br />
1922: Benedict XV - Pius XI <b>~15 days</b><br />
1939: Pius XI - Pius XII <b>~20 days</b><br />
1958: Pius XII - John XXIII <b>~19 days</b><br />
1963: John XXIII - Paul VI <b>~18 days</b><br />
1978: Paul VI - John Paul I <b>~20 days</b><br />
1978: John Paul I - John Paul II <b>~18 days</b><br />
2005: John Paul II - Benedict XVI <b>~17 days</b><br />
2013: Benedict XVI - ??<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYhxFdihN8n3EMR1o23THm7xmTaa6wXM8UJzVK7Z6S-IgzmsnrbzxmSaqfhdFF-68Msk619aGYsEtS6BHtcGh96brezQKssGkTtC6Dy8zRDJJKAgWZqRjFbQhDTqbJsnfN05i7tcK1cgA/s1600/black-smoke.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYhxFdihN8n3EMR1o23THm7xmTaa6wXM8UJzVK7Z6S-IgzmsnrbzxmSaqfhdFF-68Msk619aGYsEtS6BHtcGh96brezQKssGkTtC6Dy8zRDJJKAgWZqRjFbQhDTqbJsnfN05i7tcK1cgA/s400/black-smoke.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
anonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12787815747756899970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5919959149255980579.post-73826466264724063012013-03-12T09:00:00.000-07:002013-03-13T18:59:59.668-07:00Conclave: Live Video LinkI have embedded the <a href="http://player.rv.va/vaticanplayer01.asp?language=en&visual=Tv">live video feed</a> from <a href="http://en.radiovaticana.va">Vatican Radio</a>. Be sure to change the audio to your preferred language. <br />
<br />
<b>Ballot 1</b>: 3/12 ~1:40pm CST - <a href="http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2013/03/12/conclave:_black_smoke_at_ballot_i/en1-672695">Black Smoke</a><br />
<b>Ballot 2 & 3</b>: 3/13 morning - <a href="http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2013/03/13/whats_happening_in_the_conclave_on_wednesday/en1-672765">Black Smoke</a><br />
...<br />
<b>Ballot 5</b>: <a href="http://anonisnowhere.blogspot.com/2013/03/white-smoke.html">Habemus papam! </a><br />
<br />
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alt="Get Microsoft Silverlight" width="190px"
style="border-style: none"/> </a> </object>anonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12787815747756899970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5919959149255980579.post-33538406773253161092013-03-12T08:12:00.000-07:002013-03-12T08:14:39.749-07:001st BallotAt 11:00am CST, the first ballot of the conclave will begin. Prayers... fasting...<br />
<br />
<a href="http://anonisnowhere.blogspot.com/2013/02/prayer-for-election-of-sovereign-pontiff.html">Prayer for the election of the Sovereign Pontiff</a><br />
<a href="http://anonisnowhere.blogspot.com/2013/03/novena-for-election-of-supreme-pontiff.html">Novena for the election of the Supreme Pontiff</a><br />
<a href="http://anonisnowhere.blogspot.com/2013/03/today-march-10th-starts-novena-to-st.html">Novena to St. Joseph </a><br />
<br />
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anonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12787815747756899970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5919959149255980579.post-55324986975612032112013-03-10T08:10:00.000-07:002013-03-12T09:03:40.606-07:00Novena to St. JosephToday, March 10th starts the Novena to St. Joseph. The novena could also be started on March 11th. Consider the conclave in your intentions. <br />
<br />
<blockquote>O Glorious St. Joseph, * faithful follower of Jesus<br />
Christ, * to thee do we raise our hearts and hands * to<br />
implore thy powerful intercession * in obtaining from<br />
the benign Heart of Jesus * all the helps and graces<br />
necessary * for our spiritual and temporal welfare, *<br />
particularly the grace of a happy death, * and the<br />
special intentions that have been committed to us.<br />
O guardian of the Word Incarnate, * we feel animated<br />
with confidence * that thy prayers in our behalf * will<br />
be graciously heard before the throne of God.<br />
<br />
<i>(Then the following V. & R. are to be said seven times,<br />
in honor of the seven joys or sorrows of St. Joseph.)</i><br />
<br />
V. O glorious St. Joseph, through the love thou does<br />
bear to Jesus Christ, and for the glory of His name,<br />
R. Hear our prayers and obtain our petitions.<br />
<br />
Let us Pray<br />
O Glorious St. Joseph, * spouse of the<br />
immaculate Virgin, * obtain for me a pure, humble, and<br />
charitable mind, * and perfect resignation to the divine<br />
will. Be my guide, father, and model through life, *<br />
that I may merit to die as thou did * in the arms of<br />
Jesus and Mary.<br />
<br />
St. Joseph, friend of the Sacred Heart, pray for us.<br />
</blockquote><br />
(Novena Prayer <a href="http://files.audiosancto.org/pdf/Novena-Prayer-to-Saint-Jospeh.pdf">[PDF]</a> from <a href="http://www.audiosancto.org/">Audio Sancto</a>)<br />
<br />
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anonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12787815747756899970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5919959149255980579.post-2990262400363618552013-03-08T10:23:00.000-08:002013-03-08T11:06:08.061-08:00Conclave Begins on Feast of Pope St. Gregory the GreatThe <a href="http://papastronsay.blogspot.com/2013/03/the-gregorian-conclave.html">Transalpine Redemptorists</a> have noted that the conclave is <a href="http://attualita.vatican.va/sala-stampa/bollettino/2013/03/08/news/30607.html">set to begin</a> on <a href="http://holysoulshermitage.com/2013/03/08/conclave-to-begin-and-end-on-tuesday-march-12-2013/">March 12th</a>, the feast of <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/06780a.htm">Pope St. Gregory the Great</a>. I have included an excerpt from the Catholic Encyclopedia entry on Pope St. Gregory the Great. I encourage you to read the <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/06780a.htm">article</a> in its entirety.<br />
<br />
<blockquote><span style="font-size: large;">Gregory and monasticism</span><br />
<br />
Although the first monk to become pope, Gregory was in no sense an original contributor to monastic ideals or practice. He took monasticism as he found it established by <b>St. Benedict</b>, and his efforts and influence were given to strengthening and enforcing the prescriptions of that greatest of monastic legislators. His position did indeed tend to modify St. Benedict's work by drawing it into a closer connection with the organization of the Church, and with the papacy in particular, but this was not deliberately aimed at by Gregory. Rather he was himself <b>convinced that the monastic system had a very special value for the Church, and so he did everything in his power to diffuse and propagate it.</b> His own property was consecrated to this end, he urged many wealthy people to establish or support monasteries, and he used the revenues of the patrimony for the same purpose.<br />
<br />
<b>He was relentless in correcting abuses</b> and enforcing discipline, the letters on such matters being far too numerous for mention here, and the points on which he insists most are precisely those, such as stability and poverty, on which St. Benedict's recent legislation had laid special stress. Twice only do we find anything like direct legislation by the pope. The first point is that of the age at which a nun might be made abbess, which he fixes at "not less than sixty years" (<a href="http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/3602.htm">Epistle</a> <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/360204011.htm">4.11</a>). The second is his lengthening of the period of novitiate. St. Benedict had prescribed at least one year (Reg. Ben., lviii); Gregory (<a href="http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/3602.htm">Epistle</a> 10.9) orders two years, with special precautions in the case of slaves who wished to become monks.<br />
<br />
<b>More important was his line of action in the difficult question of the relation between monks and their bishop. There is plenty of evidence to show that many bishops took advantage of their position to oppress and burden</b> the monasteries in their diocese, with the result that the monks appealed to the pope for protection. Gregory, while always upholding the spiritual jurisdiction of the bishop, was firm in support of the monks against any illegal aggression. All attempts on the part of a bishop to assume new powers over the monks in his diocese were condemned, while at times the pope issued documents, called Privilegia, in which he definitely set forth certain points on which the monks were exempt from episcopal control (<a href="http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/3602.htm">Epistles</a> <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/360205049.htm">5.49</a>; <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/360207012.htm">7.12</a>; <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/360208017.htm">8.17</a>; 12.11; 12.12; 12.13). This action on Gregory's part undoubtedly began the long progress by which the monastic bodies have come to be under the direct control of the Holy See.<br />
<br />
It should be mentioned that in Gregory's day the current view was that ecclesiastical work, such as the cure of souls, preaching, administering the sacraments, etc., was not compatible with the monastic state, and in this view the pope concurred. On the other hand a passage in <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/3602.htm">Epistle</a> 12.4, where he directs that a <b>certain layman "should be <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/14779a.htm">tonsured</a> either as a monk or a subdeacon"</b>, would suggest that the pope held the monastic state as in some way equivalent to the ecclesiastical; for his ultimate intention in this case was to promote the layman in question to the episcopate.</blockquote><br />
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anonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12787815747756899970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5919959149255980579.post-29360096062350286852013-03-07T09:54:00.000-08:002013-03-07T09:56:02.331-08:00Correcting Prelates?<blockquote><span style="font-size: large;">Article 3. <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/summa/3033.htm#article3">Whether fraternal correction belongs only to prelates?</a></span><br />
<br />
<b>Objection 1.</b> It would seem that fraternal correction belongs to prelates alone. For Jerome [Origen, Hom. vii in Joan.] says: "Let priests endeavor to fulfil this saying of the Gospel: 'If thy brother sin against thee,'" etc. Now prelates having charge of others were usually designated under the name of priests. Therefore it seems that fraternal correction belongs to prelates alone.<br />
<br />
<b>Objection 2.</b> Further, fraternal correction is a spiritual alms. Now corporal almsgiving belongs to those who are placed above others in temporal matters, i.e. to the rich. Therefore fraternal correction belongs to those who are placed above others in spiritual matters, i.e. to prelates.<br />
<br />
<b>Objection 3.</b> Further, when one man reproves another he moves him by his rebuke to something better. Now in the physical order the inferior is moved by the superior. Therefore in the order of virtue also, which follows the order of nature, it belongs to prelates alone to correct inferiors.<br />
<br />
<b>On the contrary,</b> It is written (Dist. xxiv, qu. 3, Can. Tam Sacerdotes): "Both priests and all the rest of the faithful should be most solicitous for those who perish, so that their reproof may either correct their sinful ways. or, if they be incorrigible, cut them off from the Church."<br />
<br />
<b>I answer that</b>, As stated above (Article 1), correction is twofold. One is an act of charity, which seeks in a special way the recovery of an erring brother by means of a simple warning: such like correction belongs to anyone who has charity, be he subject or prelate.<br />
<br />
But there is another correction which is an act of justice purposing the common good, which is procured not only by warning one's brother, but also, sometimes, by punishing him, that others may, through fear, desist from sin. Such a correction belongs only to prelates, whose business it is not only to admonish, but also to correct by means of punishments.<br />
<br />
<b>Reply to Objection 1.</b> Even as regards that fraternal correction which is common to all, prelates have a grave responsibility, as Augustine says (De Civ. Dei i, 9): "for just as a man ought to bestow temporal favors on those especially of whom he has temporal care, so too ought he to confer spiritual favors, such as correction, teaching and the like, on those who are entrusted to his spiritual care." Therefore Jerome does not mean that the precept of fraternal correction concerns priests only, but that it concerns them chiefly.<br />
<br />
<b>Reply to Objection 2</b>. Just as he who has the means wherewith to give corporal assistance is rich in this respect, so he whose reason is gifted with a sane judgment, so as to be able to correct another's wrong-doing, is, in this respect, to be looked on as a superior.<br />
<br />
Reply to Objection 3. Even in the physical order certain things act mutually on one another, through being in some respect higher than one another, in so far as each is somewhat in act, and somewhat in potentiality with regard to another. On like manner one man can correct another in so far as he has a sane judgment in a matter wherein the other sins, though he is not his superior simply.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Article 4. <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/summa/3033.htm#article4">Whether a man is bound to correct his prelate?</a></span><br />
<br />
<b>Objection 1.</b> It would seem that no man is bound to correct his prelate. For it is written (Exodus 19:12): "The beast that shall touch the mount shall be stoned," [Vulgate: 'Everyone that shall touch the mount, dying he shall die.'] and (2 Samuel 6:7) it is related that the Lord struck Oza for touching the ark. Now the mount and the ark signify our prelates. Therefore prelates should not be corrected by their subjects.<br />
<br />
<b>Objection 2.</b> Further, a gloss on Galatians 2:11, "I withstood him to the face," adds: "as an equal." Therefore, since a subject is not equal to his prelate, he ought not to correct him.<br />
<br />
<b>Objection 3.</b> Further, Gregory says (Moral. xxiii, 8) that "one ought not to presume to reprove the conduct of holy men, unless one thinks better of oneself." But one ought not to think better of oneself than of one's prelate. Therefore one ought not to correct one's prelate.<br />
<br />
<b>On the contrary,</b> Augustine says in his Rule: "Show mercy not only to yourselves, but also to him who, being in the higher position among you, is therefore in greater danger." But fraternal correction is a work of mercy. Therefore even prelates ought to be corrected.<br />
<br />
<b>I answer that,</b> A subject is not competent to administer to his prelate the correction which is an act of justice through the coercive nature of punishment: but the fraternal correction which is an act of charity is within the competency of everyone in respect of any person towards whom he is bound by charity, provided there be something in that person which requires correction.<br />
<br />
Now an act which proceeds from a habit or power extends to whatever is contained under the object of that power or habit: thus vision extends to all things comprised in the object of sight. Since, however, a virtuous act needs to be moderated by due circumstances, it follows that when a subject corrects his prelate, he ought to do so in a becoming manner, not with impudence and harshness, but with gentleness and respect. Hence the Apostle says (1 Timothy 5:1): "An ancient man rebuke not, but entreat him as a father." Wherefore Dionysius finds fault with the monk Demophilus (Ep. viii), for rebuking a priest with insolence, by striking and turning him out of the church.<br />
<br />
<b>Reply to Objection 1</b>. It would seem that a subject touches his prelate inordinately when he upbraids him with insolence, as also when he speaks ill of him: and this is signified by God's condemnation of those who touched the mount and the ark.<br />
<b><br />
Reply to Objection 2.</b> To withstand anyone in public exceeds the mode of fraternal correction, and so Paul would not have withstood Peter then, unless he were in some way his equal as regards the defense of the faith. But one who is not an equal can reprove privately and respectfully. Hence the Apostle in writing to the Colossians (4:17) tells them to admonish their prelate: "Say to Archippus: Fulfil thy ministry [Vulgate: 'Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfil it.' Cf. 2 Timothy 4:5." It must be observed, however, that if the faith were endangered, a subject ought to rebuke his prelate even publicly. Hence Paul, who was Peter's subject, rebuked him in public, on account of the imminent danger of scandal concerning faith, and, as the gloss of Augustine says on Galatians 2:11, "Peter gave an example to superiors, that if at any time they should happen to stray from the straight path, they should not disdain to be reproved by their subjects."<br />
<br />
<b>Reply to Objection 3.</b> To presume oneself to be simply better than one's prelate, would seem to savor of presumptuous pride; but there is no presumption in thinking oneself better in some respect, because, in this life, no man is without some fault. We must also remember that when a man reproves his prelate charitably, it does not follow that he thinks himself any better, but merely that he offers his help to one who, "being in the higher position among you, is therefore in greater danger," as Augustine observes in his Rule quoted above. </blockquote>anonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12787815747756899970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5919959149255980579.post-44918451495563370522013-03-04T10:02:00.000-08:002013-03-08T10:54:00.410-08:00Ritual Hand Purification<blockquote>I will therefore that men pray in every place, lifting up pure hands, without anger and contention. <br />
(<a href="http://www.veritasbible.com/drb/compare/lvb:haydock/1_Timothy_2:8-9">1 Timothy 2:8</a>)</blockquote><br />
There exists a local parish in some close by town that currently does not offer the extraordinary form of the Holy Mass. One might note that the <i>Agnus Dei</i> is often punctuated with the echoing call of a permanent deacon: "We need Eucharistic Ministers. Could Eucharistic Ministers please volunteer?" Of course there are no priests, deacons, or acolytes within ear shot that are not already standing up at <i>Altare Dei</i>. One might think that such <a href="http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/ccdds/documents/rc_con_ccdds_doc_20040423_redemptionis-sacramentum_en.html">urgency and need</a> would suggest that there is standing room only in the Church; or that both the priest and permanent deacon are somehow incapable of keeping up with the potential communicants, who if were optimized in their seating arrangement for the ever important worship of efficiency, together might fit in one or two smallish pews.<br />
<br />
While attempting to ponder why and how <a href="http://www.ewtn.com/library/CURIA/CDWFREQ.HTM">our Lord wants us to be worthy</a> -- one might happen to notice a legion of those adorned with pastels and polyester pant suits parading pompously to the Altar. The hoard of extraordinary Eucharistic ministers enter the sanctuary by crossing over where once stood the communion rail. One by one this extraordinary league presents themselves to "<i>lavabo</i> stations" dispensing <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hand_sanitizer#Effectiveness">hand-sanitizer</a> for their ritualistic cleansing.<br />
<br />
After turning back to recollect oneself from the royal rumpus, one will be strongly encouraged to merge systematically with the "<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii144xEMo_ylk2uv2zXMfVkhUHPILXSx_cpyAO4PL4hQ_1cn5JwNdBSqtLdtN8jDlODzzS50x3NIQ-7PJ1FqHAoRvv3iW-dconxIKJk-Ku_fGK5EQxlQ88UEUdIzU7Q0S-yUPsXLSUEDY/s1600/breadlines1%5B1%5D.jpg">unity queue</a>". If a person manages to <a href="http://www.veritasbible.com/drb/compare/lvb:haydock/2_timothy_4:6-8">stay the course</a> they tilt their head back and extend their tongue in anticipation of being in Communion with their Lord through this most Holy Sacrament. The eyes and tongue of Faith see and taste the sweetness of our Lord. The eyes of our material body see what only looks like bread, our material tongue tastes the acrid chemical laden perfume of the hand-sanitizer dripping off the fingers of the extraordinary Eucharistic minister.<br />
<br />
Forgive my tone. I do believe that most are deluded into believing that the overuse (abuse) of extraordinary Eucharistic Ministers (EEMs) is for the good of the Church. I do believe that the reason hand-sanitizer is often used is that many sincerely care about the health of their fellow parishioners. (I will also note that many EEMs are not pompous or covered in brightly colored synthetic textiles.) It is hard not to juxtapose this 'serious' concern for health, along with the ignorance of discipline surrounding this Sacrament with the ritual hand washing of the Pharisees. <br />
<br />
<blockquote>And when they had seen some of his disciples eat bread with common, that is, with unwashed hands, they found fault. For the Pharisees, and all the Jews eat not without often washing their hands, holding the tradition of the ancients: And when they come from the market, unless they be washed, they eat not: and many other things there are that have been delivered to them to observe, the washings of cups and of pots, and of brazen vessels, and of beds. And the Pharisees and scribes asked him: Why do not thy disciples walk according to the tradition of the ancients, but they eat bread with common hands? But he answering, said to them: Well did Isaias prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written: This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. And in vain do they worship me, teaching doctrines and precepts of men. For leaving the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men, the washing of pots and of cups: and many other things you do like to these. And he said to them: Well do you make void the commandment of God, that you may keep your own tradition. (<a href="http://www.veritasbible.com/drb/compare/lvb:haydock/Mark_7:2-9">Mark 7:2-9</a>)</blockquote><blockquote>And the Pharisee began to say, thinking within himself, why he was not washed before dinner. And the Lord said to him: Now you Pharisees make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter; but your inside is full of rapine and iniquity. Ye fools, did not he that made that which is without, make also that which is within? But yet that which remaineth, give alms; and behold, all things are clean unto you. But woe to you, Pharisees, because you tithe mint and rue and every herb; and pass over judgment, and the charity of God. Now these things you ought to have done, and not to leave the other undone. Woe to you, Pharisees, because you love the uppermost seats in the synagogues, and salutations in the marketplace. Woe to you, because you are as sepulchres that appear not, and men that walk over are not aware. And one of the lawyers answering, saith to him: Master, in saying these things, thou <a href="http://www.veritasbible.com/drb/compare/catena/luke_11:45-54">reproachest</a> us also. But he said: Woe to you lawyers also, because you load men with burdens which they cannot bear, and you yourselves touch not the packs with one of your fingers. Woe to you who build the monuments of the prophets: and your fathers killed them.Truly you bear witness that you consent to the doings of your fathers: for they indeed killed them, and you build their sepulchres. For this cause also the wisdom of God said: I will send to them prophets and apostles; and some of them they will kill and persecute. That the blood of all the prophets which was shed from the foundation of the world, may be required of this generation, From the blood of Abel unto the blood of Zacharias, who was slain between the altar and the temple: Yea I say to you, It shall be required of this generation. Woe to you lawyers, for you have taken away the key of knowledge: you yourselves have not entered in, and those that were entering in, you have hindered. And as he was saying these things to them, the Pharisees and the lawyers began violently to urge him, and to oppress his mouth about many things, Lying in wait for him, and seeking to catch something from his mouth, that they might accuse him. (<a href="http://www.veritasbible.com/drb/compare/lvb:haydock/Luke_11:38-54">Luke 11:38-54</a>)</blockquote><br />
The actual <i><a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/09044b.htm">Lavabo</a></i> and emphasis on Ordinary Minsters of Holy Communion would sufficiently address both abuse and health (spiritual and material) concerns. <br />
<br />
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<br />
<table cellpadding="5"><tbody>
<tr> <td>Veni, Creator Spiritus<br />
Mentes tuorum visita<br />
Imple superna gratia<br />
Quae tu creasti pectora<br />
<br />
Qui diceris Paraclitus<br />
Altissimi donum Dei<br />
Fons vivus, ignis, caritas<br />
Et Spiritalis unctio<br />
<br />
Tu septiformis munere<br />
Digitus paternæ dexteræ<br />
Tu rite promissum Patris<br />
Sermone ditans guttura<br />
<br />
Accende lumen sensibus<br />
Infunde amorem cordibus<br />
Infirma nostri corporis<br />
Virtute firmans perpeti<br />
<br />
Hostem repellas longius<br />
Pacemque dones protinus<br />
Ductore sic te prævio<br />
Vitemus omne noxium<br />
<br />
Per te sciamus da Patrem<br />
Noscamus atque Filium<br />
Teque utriusque Spiritum<br />
Credamus omni tempore<br />
<br />
Deo Patri sit gloria<br />
Et Filio, qui a mortuis<br />
Surrexit, ac Paraclito<br />
In sæculorum sæcula. Amen.</td> <td>Come, Holy Ghost, Creator<br />
Take possession of our souls<br />
Infuse with heavenly grace<br />
The hearts Thou hast created<br />
<br />
Thou Who art called the Paraclete<br />
Best gift of the Most High God<br />
Living fountain, fire, charity<br />
And spiritual unction<br />
<br />
Thou sevenfold gift<br />
Finger of God’s right hand<br />
Thou promise of the Father<br />
Teaching speech and understanding<br />
<br />
Enkindle the light of our minds<br />
Pour love into our hearts<br />
The infirmity of our body<br />
Confirm with perpetual strength<br />
<br />
Repulse the enemy even further<br />
And give peace in his stead<br />
May Thou so lead us<br />
That we evade all harm<br />
<br />
Through Thee grant us to know<br />
Father as well as Son<br />
And with Both Thee, Spirit, Trinity<br />
Forever may we believe in<br />
<br />
Let glory be to God the Father<br />
And to the Son, Who from the dead<br />
Has arisen, and the Paraclete<br />
Unto ages of ages. Amen.</td> </tr>
</tbody></table><br />
O Lord, with suppliant humility, we entreat Thee, that in Thy boundless mercy Thou wouldst grant the most Holy Roman Church a pontiff, who by his zeal for us, may be pleasing to Thee, and by his good government may be ever honored by Thy people for the glory of Thy name. Through Our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son who with Thee livest and reignest world without end. Amen.<br />
V. Most Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary.<br />
R. Pray for us who have recourse to thee!<br />
St. Pius V, pray for us.<br />
St. Pius X, pray for us.<br />
<a href="http://anonisnowhere.blogspot.com/2013/03/conclave-begins-on-feast-of-pope-st.html">St. Gregory the Great</a>, pray for us.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX-W_gjG8Nb82qQuRlLTtyWj-OsDUIaH4iGkpyMQQf0wOFeY4xiHzPkmM77WwcZkcZzmUfLVGNkqF7GfJu_4i3_3LiDjimZD3clfYG6u6fSe-n_EO8k-i_ip_JrqIghEZv6ho16GDY-_0/s1600/Cathedrapetri%252Bgloria%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX-W_gjG8Nb82qQuRlLTtyWj-OsDUIaH4iGkpyMQQf0wOFeY4xiHzPkmM77WwcZkcZzmUfLVGNkqF7GfJu_4i3_3LiDjimZD3clfYG6u6fSe-n_EO8k-i_ip_JrqIghEZv6ho16GDY-_0/s400/Cathedrapetri%252Bgloria%5B1%5D.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
anonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12787815747756899970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5919959149255980579.post-38226732161545632432013-02-28T17:46:00.003-08:002013-03-01T07:00:51.540-08:00Prayer for the election of the Sovereign Pontiff<table cellpadding="5"><tbody>
<tr> <td>V. Suscitabo mihi sacerdotem fidelem, qui iuxta<br />
cor meum, et animam meam faciet.<br />
R. Et aedificabo ei domum fidelem, et<br />
ambulabit coram Christo meo cunctis diebus.<br />
<br />
Orémus -<br />
Súpplici, Dómine, humilitáte depóscimus: ut<br />
sacrosánctæ Románæ Ecclésiæ concédat<br />
Pontíficem illum imménsa píetas; qui et pio in<br />
nos stúdio semper tibi plácitus, et tuo pópulo pro<br />
salúbri regímine sit assídue ad glóriam tui<br />
nóminis reveréndus. Per Christum Dóminum<br />
nostrum.<br />
<br />
Amen.</td> <td>V. I will raise Me up a faithful priest, who shall do<br />
according to My Heart and My soul.<br />
R. And I will build him a faithful house: and he<br />
shall walk all day before My Anointed.<br />
<br />
Let us pray -<br />
We most humbly entreat Thee, O Lord, that Thy<br />
boundless goodness may grant as pontiff to the<br />
most holy Roman Church one who shall ever be<br />
both pleasing to Thee, by his loving zeal in our<br />
regard, and, by his beneficent rule, deeply revered by<br />
Thy people to the glory of Thy name. Through<br />
Christ our Lord.<br />
<br />
Amen.</td> </tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSmEcWaUttDcsxnFj_4Ex6eUsOBDVVbamiqCbiBf4z1Ihfw6YIKoA7BiegIQcf78ohPuw6DyBs8qOVgW8MXb0Q9qhYh8TqMc6NcG1Ee-xZO7UDYDhgVIMITQDVeIRWUJoxszdpXQLYoSM/s1600/Ombrellino-keys.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSmEcWaUttDcsxnFj_4Ex6eUsOBDVVbamiqCbiBf4z1Ihfw6YIKoA7BiegIQcf78ohPuw6DyBs8qOVgW8MXb0Q9qhYh8TqMc6NcG1Ee-xZO7UDYDhgVIMITQDVeIRWUJoxszdpXQLYoSM/s320/Ombrellino-keys.png" width="178" /></a></div><span id="goog_1291211295"></span><span id="goog_1291211296"></span>anonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12787815747756899970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5919959149255980579.post-73869569108159619592013-02-26T17:15:00.001-08:002013-02-26T17:16:16.464-08:00The Morality of using Vaccines derived from Fetal Tissue CulturesFr. Phil Wolfe, FSSP has provided a few consideration on <a href="http://www.cogforlife.org/fr-phil-wolfe/">The Morality of using Vaccines derived from Fetal Tissue Cultures</a>. Here is a short clip from the article. Please read the rest on the <a href="http://www.cogforlife.org/fr-phil-wolfe/">Children of God for Life</a> website.<br />
<br />
<blockquote>At this point a feeling of extreme unease might overcome the Catholic who is attempting to assess the morality of this procedure. He recognizes that the moral object of the act is good – to immunize a child against these diseases - and he recognizes that if all the attending circumstances were good, he could safely conclude that this act would be good. But now he reaches the uneasy notion that this vaccine is tainted in some fashion, since it was produced using fetal tissue. May he then use it – since he is not directly approving of the abortion which made production of this vaccine possible? He wonders, does this circumstance "by what aid" pertain here? Can he disclaim the origin of this vaccine, as some have argued, on the basis that his use would only be a remote material cooperation with the intrinsic evil of the direct abortion and use of the aborted baby's tissue?</blockquote><br />
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anonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12787815747756899970noreply@blogger.com0