M
Melchior_1
Guest
I’ve spent some time reflecting on the SSPX/Rome business, and there was something that was poking around the back my head. I couldn’t quite place it until this evening.
I moved to Eastern Ontario in the summer of 2000. After a couple of years, I met up with some Catholic folks who were doing a summer mission within the city. It was through those people I occasionally attended St. Mary’s Catholic Church, the home base of a little group called the Companions of the Cross. Their founder, Father Robert Bedard, went through the process of getting his group installed as a Society of Apostolic Life. In 2002, at Notre Dame Cathedral, they celebrated this event. I was there for the event, in person.
I met Father Bob a few times before and after that event. A holy and humble man. If there was anyone around here who could brag a bit, surely it’s someone who founded a Society of Apostolic Life of pontifical right. But he didn’t brag, instead he gave God the glory. His favorite expression was “give God permission!”, which he extorted people to do.
There was a stretch of time a few years later I hit a rough patch. Namely; I stopped goign to Confession and receiving the Eucharist. I went to Mass every Sunday, but refused to receive. Simply put; I didn’t think I should go to Confession if I wasn’t sorry for what I did. And without Confession, I’m under mortal sin. So no Eucharist. At Mass I would literally only say “Lord, I am not worthy to receive you”, and didn’t finish the rest. I simply didn’t believe that I could be healed, so why say it?
I said this to my roommates, of who I was in a share group with. One of the guys (now in the Diocesan seminary) went out and set up a one-on-one meeting between myself and Father Bob. We met for an hour or two, and we talked about my struggles. Among other things he mentioned to me “the fact you’ve though it out this much means you actually are sorry and repentful for what you’re doing, you’re just angry at yourself and this is how you’re punishing yourself for your own actions. You don’t know how to repent right now, but you are repentful. Besides, if you weren’t sorry why go to Mass every week?”. We talked a bit more, about a few things. He listened, gave me some advice and spiritual direction.
He didn’t have to see me, but he did. I wasn’t a part of his parish. The man was a busy fellow. He founded and ran a Society, His health was starting to fail a bit. he was writing a book, gave talks, helped with formation. He was all over the place doing things. But he still made time for me.
A few more years passed, and eventually Father Bob began suffering from dementia. It was a slow process, and eventually he was in the hospital long term. Father Robert Bedard (CC) passed away a few months ago. His funeral was at the same Cathedral where they celebrated his Society back in 2002. He’s with the Lord now, likely informing Jesus Christ that Jesus has the permission to tell Father Bob whatever Jesus wants him to do. His Society now runs five parishes in my diocese, including my own. He’s impacted several lives.
If you look at the four pillars of the Companions, you see: Eucharistic, Marian, Magisterial, and Charismatic. That’s right, charismatic. Now, I’m well aware there’s a ban in talking about the charismatic renewal in this section. However I bring it up now for an important point; this is one of the four pillars of the Society. It’s an important aspect of the Society. Father Bob went through the lengthy approval process with Rome, and got the statutes for the Society approved, including that aspect. There was some back and forward between him and Rome, and Rome then sent the approval. Everything was signed, sealed and delivered.
I witnessed this all happening. I saw it unfold. They did (and still do) everything by the book, and Father Bob was rewarded. This diocese was, and still is, rewarded. They run five parishes, do countless events at the diocesan center, several different aposolates, run theology programs, incredibly active in the pro-life movement. They even celebrated a chanted Mass ad-orientem not too long ago, if I recall correctly. They’re a solid group of people.
What bothers me, is that I knew this man. And I know several people on this board would call this man into question. They’ll raise His Grace Lefebvre as a hero, as a Saint, despite his questionable actions. They will raise up the SSPX as a bastion of greatness, Yet ignore or chastise the Companions without even meeting them, and call into question their founder. Their founder who did it all by the book, who followed the rules. Their founder who enacted change within the Church, revitalized the Catholic community here in Ottawa, the man who inspired others to found their own aposolates.
Seeing this man in action, seeing him found his Society, seeing him do everything within the Church. I guess that what makes the SSPX situation a bit of a sore point with me sometimes. Not only did my heroes Dominic and Francis affect change and founded their orders while staying within the Church, but a Society which was founded in my city, and the founder whom I met with, did it that way too. Looking at those three, that’s how I see how things should be done. based on all of that, there’s little wonder why I disagree with the actions taken by members of the SSPX, including their founder.
Anyway, I’d like to extend an apology for the fine folks who associate themselves with the SSPX. If I’ve been harsh in the past, the above might shed some light into why I may have been a bit sharp at times. Tonight was the first time I actually compiled my thoughts on the matter. I’ll still provide my opinion in other threads, but I’ll make more of an effort to be charitable.
God bless, and may the Lord’s will be done regarding the reunion of all outside members of the Church.
I moved to Eastern Ontario in the summer of 2000. After a couple of years, I met up with some Catholic folks who were doing a summer mission within the city. It was through those people I occasionally attended St. Mary’s Catholic Church, the home base of a little group called the Companions of the Cross. Their founder, Father Robert Bedard, went through the process of getting his group installed as a Society of Apostolic Life. In 2002, at Notre Dame Cathedral, they celebrated this event. I was there for the event, in person.
I met Father Bob a few times before and after that event. A holy and humble man. If there was anyone around here who could brag a bit, surely it’s someone who founded a Society of Apostolic Life of pontifical right. But he didn’t brag, instead he gave God the glory. His favorite expression was “give God permission!”, which he extorted people to do.
There was a stretch of time a few years later I hit a rough patch. Namely; I stopped goign to Confession and receiving the Eucharist. I went to Mass every Sunday, but refused to receive. Simply put; I didn’t think I should go to Confession if I wasn’t sorry for what I did. And without Confession, I’m under mortal sin. So no Eucharist. At Mass I would literally only say “Lord, I am not worthy to receive you”, and didn’t finish the rest. I simply didn’t believe that I could be healed, so why say it?
I said this to my roommates, of who I was in a share group with. One of the guys (now in the Diocesan seminary) went out and set up a one-on-one meeting between myself and Father Bob. We met for an hour or two, and we talked about my struggles. Among other things he mentioned to me “the fact you’ve though it out this much means you actually are sorry and repentful for what you’re doing, you’re just angry at yourself and this is how you’re punishing yourself for your own actions. You don’t know how to repent right now, but you are repentful. Besides, if you weren’t sorry why go to Mass every week?”. We talked a bit more, about a few things. He listened, gave me some advice and spiritual direction.
He didn’t have to see me, but he did. I wasn’t a part of his parish. The man was a busy fellow. He founded and ran a Society, His health was starting to fail a bit. he was writing a book, gave talks, helped with formation. He was all over the place doing things. But he still made time for me.
A few more years passed, and eventually Father Bob began suffering from dementia. It was a slow process, and eventually he was in the hospital long term. Father Robert Bedard (CC) passed away a few months ago. His funeral was at the same Cathedral where they celebrated his Society back in 2002. He’s with the Lord now, likely informing Jesus Christ that Jesus has the permission to tell Father Bob whatever Jesus wants him to do. His Society now runs five parishes in my diocese, including my own. He’s impacted several lives.
If you look at the four pillars of the Companions, you see: Eucharistic, Marian, Magisterial, and Charismatic. That’s right, charismatic. Now, I’m well aware there’s a ban in talking about the charismatic renewal in this section. However I bring it up now for an important point; this is one of the four pillars of the Society. It’s an important aspect of the Society. Father Bob went through the lengthy approval process with Rome, and got the statutes for the Society approved, including that aspect. There was some back and forward between him and Rome, and Rome then sent the approval. Everything was signed, sealed and delivered.
I witnessed this all happening. I saw it unfold. They did (and still do) everything by the book, and Father Bob was rewarded. This diocese was, and still is, rewarded. They run five parishes, do countless events at the diocesan center, several different aposolates, run theology programs, incredibly active in the pro-life movement. They even celebrated a chanted Mass ad-orientem not too long ago, if I recall correctly. They’re a solid group of people.
What bothers me, is that I knew this man. And I know several people on this board would call this man into question. They’ll raise His Grace Lefebvre as a hero, as a Saint, despite his questionable actions. They will raise up the SSPX as a bastion of greatness, Yet ignore or chastise the Companions without even meeting them, and call into question their founder. Their founder who did it all by the book, who followed the rules. Their founder who enacted change within the Church, revitalized the Catholic community here in Ottawa, the man who inspired others to found their own aposolates.
Seeing this man in action, seeing him found his Society, seeing him do everything within the Church. I guess that what makes the SSPX situation a bit of a sore point with me sometimes. Not only did my heroes Dominic and Francis affect change and founded their orders while staying within the Church, but a Society which was founded in my city, and the founder whom I met with, did it that way too. Looking at those three, that’s how I see how things should be done. based on all of that, there’s little wonder why I disagree with the actions taken by members of the SSPX, including their founder.
Anyway, I’d like to extend an apology for the fine folks who associate themselves with the SSPX. If I’ve been harsh in the past, the above might shed some light into why I may have been a bit sharp at times. Tonight was the first time I actually compiled my thoughts on the matter. I’ll still provide my opinion in other threads, but I’ll make more of an effort to be charitable.
God bless, and may the Lord’s will be done regarding the reunion of all outside members of the Church.
