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At_Trent
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A terrific challenge is also intended by our rosary crusade. We would not want to diminish in the least, the joy over the announcement of the extraordinary result of our Rosary Crusade. We boldly asked you one year ago for twelve million rosaries so as to crown our dear Heavenly Mother, the Mother of God, as if with an equal number of stars, and to surround with a magnificent crown of praise that Mother, who to the enemies of God appears “terrible as an army set in battle array” (Cant. 6:3). You responded so generously that we can now bring to Rome a spiritual bouquet of more than nineteen million rosaries, not counting all those not directly affiliated with our priories and chapels who joined in our campaign.
Surely it is no accident that when Pius XII declared the dogma of the Assumption, he decided to change the Introit of the feast on August 15, to the passage from the Apocalypse that salutes the great sign that appeared in heaven. This excerpt from the Apocalypse ushers in the description of one of the most terrible wars that are set forth in that sacred book: the great dragon, who with his tail will sweep away a third of the stars, comes to wage battle with the great Woman (see Apoc. 12). Is this whole passage intended for our time? We can easily believe it, while avoiding a literal or overly specific application of those mysterious and prophetic descriptions. We have absolutely no doubt that all our prayers are important, and even of very great importance at this moment in history at which we find ourselves. However we think that we should warn you also and encourage you in these circumstances of the history of the Church.
Your great generosity shows, without the slightest doubt, your very real devotion and your love for our Holy Mother, the Roman Catholic Church, for the Successor of Saint Peter, and for the hierarchy, even though we have much to suffer from it. God is stronger than evil – good will be victorious, but perhaps not with all the pomp that you would like.
Now we must convince the authorities to accomplish the famous consecration of Russia that they say has already been made; we must recall the present relevance of what Our Lady of Fatima said, even though in the year 2000 there was manifestly an attempt to turn a new leaf and not to return to the subject again. It seems inevitable that the difficulties and obstacles will multiply so as to prevent the realization of what we are asking. That doesn’t matter; we count much more on God than on men, just as we expect from acts as simple as the consecration of Russia to the Immaculate Heart of Mary surprising results for the Church and the world, results surpassing anything that we can imagine. It is foolishness in the sight of men, but it is really a reflection of what Saint Paul already preached to his age: what men regard as wise is foolishness in God’s sight, whereas God’s wisdom is considered absurd foolishness by the wise of this world (cf. I Cor. 1:20).
As we bring to the attention of the Holy Father your remarkable efforts, along with the reason for these prayers, thus hoping to contribute, in our way, to the good of the Church, we ask you to please continue those same efforts. According to the example that Our Lord Himself invites us to follow in his very moving exhortation to prayer: “Ask, and you shall receive,” let us ask, indeed insisting on much (cf. Matt. 7:7-11). Although we do not doubt that our prayers will be answered, our persistence and perseverance must be proportioned to the magnitude of what we are asking.
Let us remember also that the essential element of the Fatima message is not just the consecration of Russia, but above all devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. May all these prayers and sacrifices lead us to increase and deepen our special devotion to the Heart of the Mother of God. For, through it God wants to be moved.
As the month of May begins, the month of Mary, may we all find ourselves even more reliant on her maternal protection; this is our fondest wish. Thanking you for your truly great generosity, we ask Our Lady to deign to bless you with the Child Jesus.
- Bernard Fellay
May 1, 2010, Feast of Joseph the Worker
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bkovacs
Guest
Amazing how someone who is constantly ridiculed by the Church. Still defends the Church and her Pope. Unlike many progressive Bishops, who are in so called “good standing with Rome and the Pope”. They only start defending the Pope when they realize their job is on the line. God Bless Bishop Fellay.
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Onegin
Guest
Very good letter. Not sure why Fr. Z commented with “Ugh!” in response to Msgr. Fellay referring to the TLM as the “Mass of All Ages”. Then again, I disagree with a lot of Fr. Z’s opinions on the SSPX, so its ultimately a side issue.
But yes, good letter.
But yes, good letter.
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otjm
Guest
It seems that the term “Mass of the Ages” came from France. Considering that the Holy Mysterise/Divine Liturgy of some of the Eastern Rites appear to be older than the EF in its form as decided by Trent, it would act as a proverbial slap in the face to our Eastern brethern.Very good letter. Not sure why Fr. Z commented with “Ugh!” in response to Msgr. Fellay referring to the TLM as the “Mass of All Ages”. Then again, I disagree with a lot of Fr. Z’s opinions on the SSPX, so its ultimately a side issue.
But yes, good letter.
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Onegin
Guest
But that would require reading a negative intention into Msgr. Fellay’s use of the phrase which is why I think Fr. Z’s comment was unnecessary and a bit churlish.It seems that the term “Mass of the Ages” came from France. Considering that the Holy Mysterise/Divine Liturgy of some of the Eastern Rites appear to be older than the EF in its form as decided by Trent, it would act as a proverbial slap in the face to our Eastern brethern.
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corsair
Guest
Fr. Z sometimes disappoints me even though he is an FSSP priest. I generally regard the FSSP as an outstanding Society. Perhaps Fr. Z has gotten “a bit full of himself”.
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otjm
Guest
Not necessarily. One can use a term that is perjorative to others without necessarily realizing that others may take umbrage.But that would require reading a negative intention into Msgr. Fellay’s use of the phrase which is why I think Fr. Z’s comment was unnecessary and a bit churlish.
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otjm
Guest
I suppose that is possible. On the other hand, just because the bishop says something does not mean that he is immune to any critique. One (here, the bishop) can use triumphalistic language without necessarily intending to be so.Fr. Z sometimes disappoints me even though he is an FSSP priest. I generally regard the FSSP as an outstanding Society. Perhaps Fr. Z has gotten “a bit full of himself”.
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mick321
Guest
Why do you feel the need to take umbrage?Not necessarily. One can use a term that is perjorative to others without necessarily realizing that others may take umbrage.
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otjm
Guest
What in heaven’s name makes you think I took any umbrage? I believe that what I ahve read was correct in citing the source of the use of the term “Mass of the Ages”. Others, not me, have pointed out that the liturgies of the Eastern rite Churches are in at least some circumstances clearly older and more consistent over time than the EF. And from that they have pointed out that the comment comes across as triumphalistic, patronizing and not a few other adjectives toward out Eastern brethern.Why do you feel the need to take umbrage?
I was simply passing fon the information. I am not upset with the issue in any way. It is entirely possible that the bishop used the term without ever considering how that might come across to others, which I was pointing out - I am not upset with the bishop over the use of the term. And as to Father Z’s comment, I was presuming that it was made for that reason (that the term can be seen by some recipients as triumphalistic) without championing Father Z.
So none of that strikes me as taking any umbrage; simply commenting on what I see. Certainly one is capable of disagreeing with my conclusions; I only offered them as possible explanation.
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mick321
Guest
If your Eastern brethern wish to issue insults against the Catholic Faith, perhaps you should let them speak for themselves. Or did someone give you permission to use them as mascots for your personal crusade?What in heaven’s name makes you think I took any umbrage? I believe that what I ahve read was correct in citing the source of the use of the term “Mass of the Ages”. Others, not me, have pointed out that the liturgies of the Eastern rite Churches are in at least some circumstances clearly older and more consistent over time than the EF. And from that they have pointed out that the comment comes across as triumphalistic, patronizing and not a few other adjectives toward out Eastern brethern.
I was simply passing fon the information. I am not upset with the issue in any way. It is entirely possible that the bishop used the term without ever considering how that might come across to others, which I was pointing out - I am not upset with the bishop over the use of the term. And as to Father Z’s comment, I was presuming that it was made for that reason (that the term can be seen by some recipients as triumphalistic) without championing Father Z.
So none of that strikes me as taking any umbrage; simply commenting on what I see. Certainly one is capable of disagreeing with my conclusions; I only offered them as possible explanation.
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otjm
Guest
Pardon me if I missed something around the last curve; what insults are being given by the Eastern Churches? And why would they issue insults against that which they participate in as full members? And what crusade is it that I am supposedly on; you seem to be perceiving something that isn’t there, or else we are miscommunicating.If your Eastern brethern wish to issue insults against the Catholic Faith, perhaps you should let them speak for themselves. Or did someone give you permission to use them as mascots for your personal crusade?
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pnewton
Guest
Defends? Sort of. He was postive about what he agreed with and negative (or dire) about what he did not agree with.Amazing how someone who is constantly ridiculed by the Church. Still defends the Church and her Pope.
Even though people in our circles rightly think that these [papal] efforts are still insufficient to stop the decay and the crisis of the Church
In fact, even if we find the pope’s initiatives rather timid
I can see why Fr. Z thinks he is playing to his base. The most strange of political foes can unite on common ground. It is where there is disagreement that we will see if the SSPX is ever going to be willing to any degree of recognition of the authority of the papacy. He even takes a page out of a politician’s playbook and takes a jab at the predecessor, even though he is deceased.such as the visits to the synagogue and the Protestant church
I don’t really see it as all that supportive.especially in view of certain acts along the regrettable line of his predecessor,
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ProVobis
Guest
I didn’t know Fr. Z was an FSSP priest. But you might know more than I in that department.Fr. Z sometimes disappoints me even though he is an FSSP priest. I generally regard the FSSP as an outstanding Society. Perhaps Fr. Z has gotten “a bit full of himself”.
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