  
|
|
|
|
For thumbnail descriptions and links to the other sections of this issue see: 
|
|
|
| ||||
|
|
|
|
| ||||||
 Editor Michael Cain dovetails from Gabriel Garnica's column on 'Reality' TV from yesterday's issue, in asking how some of these other shows get televised. He wonders how many are getting sucked in by promos on television which always leave one wanting, never truly entertaining and even worse, so insidiously injecting anti-Catholicism into the content. While many times it is subliminal, other times it is quite obvious, blatantly such as in last Friday night's episode of Fox's Wonderfalls. As bad as that was, Cain came back for more punishment by sitting through CBS 'Jesus' Sunday night. He shares the sad side effects of the Andy Rooney-network's latest effort to offset the good Mel Gibson has been able to accomplish through his masterpiece film 'The Passion'. As for the CBS fare, Cain gives all a hint of why they should stick exclusively to broadcasting NCAA basketball games and the Masters Golf Tournament. It would be better if all the networks scrubbed their programming because it's hard to decipher one network from another. They all look alike and they're all carrying the same damaging type of trash that is harmful to souls as he points out in his editorial March Madness Gone Berserk!. Pro Life Prescriptions Dr. Frank Joseph returns to these pages with a stirring, impassioned plea to Archbishop Sean O'Malley to get off his hierach duff and do something before it is too late. He is, of course, referring to John Kerry and his shameful, scandalous flaunting of his sinful ways and receiving the sacraments as if nothing is wrong. Frank reminds the Archbishop of his duty before God and closes with a poignant and most pertinent piece by radio legend Paul Harvey titled "If I were the devil" in which it is quite obvious the bishops have done nothing to stop the evil one, even to curtail the devil somewhat. Now push has come to shove and it's time for O'Malley to stand and be counted or lose out forever if Kerry is elected. This has nothing to do with politics, but everything to do with saving souls as Frank emphasizes in his column An Open Plea to Archbishop Sean O'Malley Gabriel Garnica wondered what if all the shallow programming, especially the inane so-called reality television shows that seem to litter the major networks over the past two years, instead strove to provide something of value using the same concept but put towards good in a Christ-like manner. He realized he was just dreaming for the world would never buy it as programmers and viewers seemingly sink lower and lower in the base mentality of pushing the envelope beyond any kind of moral standards. Gabriel reminded us that there is definitely a reality at play here, one that can effect the very outcome of eternal life. With those kind of stakes, it is best to do a reality check as he pointed out in his column The Reality of 'Reality Entertainment'. Lex Orandi, Lex Credendi Kevin Tierney presented his fifth installment on the Disciplines of Lent in this series simply called "Lex Orandi, Lex Credendi." He took the reader through the Propers of the Traditional Latin Mass for Laetare Sunday and compared it to what is offered in the Novus Ordo Missae. For his analysis of Laetare Sunday we would like to rejoice, but there is so much lacking in the synthetic rite that on laments instead. It is a fact that the man-made rite of Vatican II is sorely lacking as Kevin explained why: the New Order has left it so ambiguous and avoids those things which are absolutely necessary not only for striving toward sanctity, but for salvation. The whole purpose of the Novus Ordo liturgy is to negate the negative theology that we are totally dependent on God and are unworthy unless blessed by Him and in His good graces by having sanctifying grace on our souls. Kevin broke it down in The Disciplines of Lent: Laetare Sunday In Father Louis Campbell's sermon for Passion Sunday, he reminded us all of the infallible truths handed down in Sacred Scripture as to the New Covenant which he likened to a marriage covenant between man and God. The Hebrews of the Old Covenant had the same covenant until they wandered for the final time and, by their own choosing, rejected God, despite constant warnings and curses to bring them back to their senses. Their blessings ran out. God divorced forever the Old Covenant and took to Himself the Bride of the New Covenant through His only-begotten Son to live, literally happily ever after. However, as Father pointed out, that is only possible if we are faithful to Him. If we stray, then, like the Jews, we too will be deserving of the seven-fold curses, the woes that befell the Hebrew people and are befalling His unfaithful children of the Bridegroom today. What is most pertinent and shameful is that the present bride, seeking to please man rather than her eternal Spouse, has gone behind the back of the Divine Groom and conspired with the exiled "divorcee" to tell the latter that an annulment is no longer necessary for the marriage to the Bridegroom is as good for the old bride as well as the new bride. This would be spiritual polygamy and there are dire consequences for such infidelity as Father illustrated through Scripture in his sermon Blessings and Woes Books you can count on! Gary L. Morella provided a most positive review of an outstanding book by Atila Sinke Guimarães just released by Tradition In Action. It is considered a special edition of his vaunted and eye-opening collection Eli, Eli, Lamma Sabacthani which already includes the landmark volumes The Murky Waters of Vatican II, Animus Delendi I, and Animus Delendi II. His latest, Vatican II, Homosexuality & Pedophilia is a book that needs to be in the hands of every bishop in the world, including the Pope, as well as in the hands of every religious editor and investigative journalist so they'll understand what the Church truly teaches and not buy the modernist/tolerant-speak and psycho-babble that has so insidiously undermined Holy Mother Church. Gary L. Morella presented a succinct, compact review that hopefully should pique the interest of all in desiring to read and better understand why the Church has gotten itself into such a sordid situation and why she has done so little to extricate herself. The facts and evidence may shock you, but satan is so clever and has masqueraded himself and his agenda so insidiously. Gary pointed out Atila's work helps "connect the dots as to why Rome is impotent to right the Barque of Peter by sadly coming to the realization that the pro-sodomite mentality in the Church goes right up to the highest levels of the Vatican." Atila's book is a must read in order to alert all to how deep the rot goes and why the scandal in America was really only the tip of the iceberg. We encourage you to order, read and share with others his book: Vatican II, Homosexuality & Pedophilia
 Gabriel Garnica reminded us that we can learn a valuable spiritual lesson from the journey Mel Gibson has taken in his odyssey of being able to make 'The Passion of The Christ' one of the most seen movies of all time. Gabriel pointed out that had Mel played by man's rules, which is the norm in Hollywood - especially in following the 'sacred Hollywood rules' - his movie might have reached $100 million by now, but it would soon phase into oblivion. Because Mel did not trust in man, but God his movie not only has legs in surpassing $300 million at the box office but will become a classic for posterity. Gabriel listed five specific lessons we can learn and ties it all into the fact we are in the world, not never of it in his column Directing for the Divine Director. Lex Orandi, Lex Credendi Kevin Tierney presented his fourth installment on the Disciplines of Lent in this series simply called "Lex Orandi, Lex Credendi." He took the reader through the Propers of the Traditional Latin Mass and compared it to what is offered in the Novus Ordo Missae. Needless to say the latter pales in comparison, but Kevin explained why the New Order has left it so ambiguous and avoids those things which are absolutely necessary not only for striving toward sanctity, but for salvation. The whole purpose of the Novus Ordo liturgy is to negate the negative theology that we are totally dependent on God and are unworthy unless blessed by Him and in His good graces by having sanctifying grace on our souls. Kevin broke it down in The Disciplines of Lent: The Third Sunday of Lent Deprograming Diabolical Disorientation Father Lawrence Smith provided a compact updated 'Syllabus of Errors' since the wisdom of Pius IX's Syllabus, the strongly worded encyclical to the American Bishops on Americanism by Leo XIII, and St. Pius X's Pascendi Dominici gregis have all been discarded in favor of the diabolical disorientation that seems to be the rule of the land today both in civil and ecclesiastical circles. The Constitution of our land and the Sacred Deposit of Faith have been ransacked to please those who do not please God. Is there any wonder why our country and beloved Church are in such dire straights? Father showed the blaring contradictions in his pertinent and short, but succinct list which illustrate only too well the dichotomy of discord. Father asked who has the authority and audacity to do this and who really is in charge now? Questions that will hopefully prompt one to think seriously on the diabolical disorientation that so badly needs the Light of Truth. When Modernists Rule.
Jacob Michael re-asserted the infrangible teaching of The Council of Trent on the connection between the Sacrifice of Calvary and the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, infallibly set in stone by Pope St. Pius V for all time in the Traditional Latin Mass. Jacob reflected on Mel Gibson's masterpiece - his magnum opus - in confirming the totally Catholic truths the film adhers to dogmatically. Jacob showed how Mel's flashback scenes are not coincidental but in line with the very intrinsic link of Atononement and the Propitiatory Sacrifice begun at the Last Supper and consummated on Golgotha. He also showed through Scriptural prophecies the fulfillment of the Old Covenant in the establishment of the New Covenant through the Body and Blood of Christ and backed this up by pertinent truths from holy men of the Early Church in confirming that Mel's work is a true gift from Heaven. 'The Passion of The Christ' can only enhance one's love for the continual Holy Sacrifice of the Mass as Jacob pointed out in his column The Sacrifice! Traditional Thoughts Considering that the Supreme Court is currently sitting in judgment on whether "Under God" should be removed from the Pledge of Allegiance, Father Yves le Roux weighed in with a timely article of which everyone should strongly take notice. With all the fears of anti-Semitism raging out of control because of Mel's movie, a canard spawned by mostly the progressive Zionist front and not orthodox Jews, we can see it was all a sham on their part. There have been no pogroms. Yet the fact remains the Jews did reject Christ and still do today, but they are not alone, not by a long shot. Man has made his own mess and asked for the due punishments visited upon him. The sad fact and the fallout of so much of the destruction of the moral fabric of society today is the abandonment of Christ's Social Kingship. Father emphasized that all the modern vices combined do not add up to the greatest crime mankind has committed and that is "the crime of treason" setting man against God. Father pointed out that while Christ's Sacrifice represents His Divine Mercy, God is equally Just and will have due justice. He urged us all to be mindful of this and to use the rest of this Lent to prepare and be prepared for the Chastisements and Punishments inevitably growing stronger as man veers farther away from the Divine. Treason Against God!
 Gabriel Garnica clarioned a beautiful melody of the example we can take from the feast of the Annunciation, the First Joyful Mystery and the first opportunity for the Blessed Virgin Mary to say 'yes' to God. From that point on it would always be 'yes' even though her Immaculate Sorrowful Heart was so pierced - seven times, and many times over by the children of God who have so offended her Divine Son by their rejection of His truths and true Church. Gabriel reminded us of another who said 'yes' and that was St. Francis of Assisi in rebuilding Christ's Church. Not an easy task, just as today our task is not easy, but no great opus was ever accomplished without much effort and persistence. Only by being in tune with the harmonious orchestra of Divine Will can we expect the Symphony of Sanctity to reach Heavenly ears and hearts as Gabriel explained in his column Let the Master Play The Divine Music!. A Chronicle of Catholic Tradition The twelfth chapter of our series on the history of Holy Mother the Church and the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass continued to focus on the Third Century, as we turned our attention to the second fifty years and the eight popes who ruled, martyrs all as persecution became even more intense. While pagan Rome offered a few carrots to keep the Christians in line and recruit them to build up their own army to fend off the Barbarians at the gates, Christians continued to be the target of a society fast eroding in morals, very similar to what has happened in today's civilization, especially in America. Yet, despite the increased numbers of martyrs, indeed Christianity grew and the Popes continued to universalize the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass with specific rubrics which would be part of the eternal unbloody sacrifice as we saw in the twelfth installment Fruits of the Blood
Kathleen Willet Redle began a multi-part thesis called "The Golden Calf Experiment" - an expansion of her "The Golden Calf Dancers" previously published in Canada. However the aberration of liturgical dancing is merely a component of the experiment and that the entire bent is towards taking away attention from the One True God - Three Persons in the Blessed Trinity - Who alone must be worshipped. Many false idols today pose a threat and Kathleen showed here another insidious agenda that further corroborates that very fact in her multi-part essay, illustrating the great battle for souls, reminiscent of St. John Bosco's and Pope Leo XIII's pertinent mystical visions in which satan is stirring the denizons of the deep in trying to totally capsize the Barque of Peter in these treacherous times. The mutineers have been prepared for their nefarious deeds in Part One Tossed To and Fro FOCUS Robert A. Sungenis cut across the swath of Protestant mentality in 'A Guide to the Passion', a supposedly 'Catholic' book positing 100 Questions and Answers on 'The Passion of The Christ' film. Robert exposed the fact that there are more questions than answers in this book as he enlightened the reader what the proper Catholic viewpoint should be. He critiqued Catholic Exchange's much-hyped book, which was quickly compiled and rushed out by a consortium of neo-Catholic authors, hoping to latch onto the mass publicity of Traditionalist Mel Gibson's 'The Passion of The Christ.' Thus they have been marketing their book as thee answer to any questions anyone might have. The problem, as Robert pointed out, is that often they do not have the correct nor complete answer because they have skewered the whole concept of Atonement and the Propitiatory Sacrifice. Such is the shallowness of the Novus Ordo mindset. Sungenis pointed to Trent and the early Fathers, Doctors, Saints, and Popes who have substantiated the true Catholic teaching on this most necessary point which is essential for truly understanding the why and the necessity of the degree of how much Our Lord suffered. Along with Gerry Matatics, Bob Sungenis is undoubtedly one of the leading Catholic Apologists in Traditional circles today; one who can go toe to toe with anyone in upholding the Truths and Traditions of Holy Mother Church as he proved in his critique: A Guide to 'A Guide to the Passion'.
Mario Derksen returned after a brief hiatus to begins a series on "The Truth About Ecumenism" as he commenced to meticulously analyze a powerful encyclical on ecumenism; not Ut unum sint but rather Mortalium animos, the no-nonsense Papal encyclical by Pope Pius XI who warned against the very insanity that has run wild over the past several decades and grows worse by the year, by the month. Mario provides the proof that ecumenism is not just a grave error, but an anathema which, in effect, is apostasy pure and simple for it denies the ineffable truths of the One True Church, denies the primary dogma of Extra Ecclesiam Nulla Salus, and denies Christ's command in the Scriptures. Mario presented his series on An Analysis of the Encyclical Mortalium Animos and other true Catholic Teaching on Religious Unity with part one Truth and Method Gabriel's Clarion Gabriel Garnica identified that vast majority who may not even realize they are CINNERs because many think they are 'Catholic.' Yet, if one rejects any truth of the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church they have rejected the Church and are no longer Catholic in the truest sense. Thus there are so many today, because of their tolerance and acceptance of sin, and their rationalizing sins around them who have abandoned the true Faith. As great as it would be to weed out these vermin who infect the Faith, we must put up with them longer and Gabriel expressed fears that it will only grow worse for few of the shepherds have the courage of their convictions to stand up for Truth. This means those who are faithful will suffer all the more. Yet this also is God's permitting will that we might more closely unite ourselves with the Divine Son on our journey with Him to Calvary. Our Stations have commenced. Let us take up our cross willfully and follow Him even as all around are held hostage to the world, the flesh and the devil for we have been Faithjacked!.
Gary L. Morella took on yet another Jewish leader Monday. This time it was the nationally-known talking head rabbi that has appeared on practically every network newstalk show in bashing Mel Gibson and 'The Passion of The Christ'. That would be none other than Rabbi Schmuley Boteach, pronounced Bo-tay-echh. Schmuley is pronounced as in schmooley as is one who is an evident 'schmo,' which Webster's defines as a naive, pitiable person. Also known as 'schmoe' in Yiddish, so he should be quite used to the term. This time the subject was not 'The Passion' but "Gay" Marriage - as if there is anything 'gay' in the vile sin of sodomy. The Rabbi seems to be more worried over the so-called dreaded homophobia fears than the fact that this sin is the root of so many evils and cries to Heaven for vengeance. Boteach praises Vatican II and has used that base for condemning Mel. Here he called upon the tolerances and diversity sensitivities to key in on the Vatican II message that God loves all and, hey, man is man and he can't help it so don't be so harsh. Gary so masterfully carved up Boteach's feeble arguments and then sicked the greatest arguer in history on the poor blind-sided blind modern Jewish leader. Gary's ace in the hole? None other than the Angelic Doctor St. Thomas Aquinas to totally negate any rationale or reason for Schmuley's anathemas as you could see in a piece we called 'Pope' Boteach Pontificates! Traditional Thoughts In our efforts to continue to bring you outstanding pieces focusing on different aspects of Mel Gibson's masterpiece and some of the nuances others might have missed, we presented our readers Jonathan Tuttle's viewpoint from a recent article first posted on the Seattle Catholic. He called it not only a magnum opus, but "'The Passion of The Christ' is the greatest Christological artistic work since Michelangelo's Pieta." That might sound sensational and over-exaggerated except that he's right. Tuttle went on to show the vast differences of the Novus Ordo's vanilla 'Jesus of Nazareth' and 'The Passion' and can see why Novus Ordinarians have become so acceptable of the plain and bland. By Franco Zefferelli's own admission his work, the former, was fashioned in the pan-religious mode of Vatican II, whereas Gibson stuck with the Truths and Traditions of Holy Mother Church to convey a canvas of faith that will be fresh for generations. Mel Gibson's Pieta
 In Father Louis Campbell's sermon for Laetare Sunday, he equated the beauty of the rose as the symbol of grace so magnified in the ethereal beauty of the Blessed Virgin Mary - the Mystical Rose who is the antithesis of all that is ugly: sin. Father shared St. Augustine's longing for this incomparable beauty and what he longed for when he had exausted all else that the world, the flesh and the devil had to offer. So, too, we need to turn to this immaculate Ark of the Covenant, Cause of our joy - Causa nostrae laetitiae - to console us and encourage us that like the everlasting Golden Rose - we will not wilt in our fervor for the True Faith and eternal salvation. Nothing in Catholicism is more precious than the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass so beautifully preserved in the the Traditional Latin Mass as a perfect rose, thorns and all as part of the journey of the Cross. It is a reminder that our Via Crucis continues, but we take this day to rejoice, to rest and to refresh. The Golden Rose of Traditional Catholicism blooms forth more vibrant than ever even in the weed-filled fields of the dreaded dandelions of the Novus Ordo. Truth and Grace are beauty that cannot be marred. Father clarified in his sermon Beauty ever ancient, ever new Gabriel's Clarion Gabriel Garnica dug through the makeup cases, which have been made up by the New Order operatives, in order to expose the hideous face of sin that looks back; and yet so many are blinded by the rush and false hope of temporal perfection that they cannot see this aberration. Nor can they taste it as Gabriel mixed metaphors in describing the cursed cuisine of Vatican II and the Revolution which have diluted the hearty and healing broth of true Catholicism for a synthetic, spoiled stew with every ingredient to please all while infecting so many. Yet, the latter is passed off as must-food for those who want to look good, feel good, and not be reminded of anything but good things in this world. He pointed to this as one of the contributing factors of why man has rejected the poor, the suffering, the sick and why there is such outrage by the fabricators of this lie against Mel Gibson and the Truth he has expressed and illustrated so magnificently in 'The Passion of The Christ.' You see passionate spirituality is on the comeback and that doesn't set well with those who would rather we forget sacrifice as Gabriel explained in his column The New Order's Cosmetic Spirituality.
Gary L. Morella took the head of the Jewish Hillel Center at Penn State University to task for the culprit Tuvia Abramson's idiotic expressions in critiquing Mel Gibson's 'The Passion of The Christ'. Ol' Tuvia was prejudice going in, determined to point out that it was all false! So confident or disturbed was he, that he didn't even see the entire film, walking out for a third of the film and then returning. In other words, the man is as qualified to write a critique on Mel's movie as the theater's popcorn vendor who might duck in and out during break times. One thing was sure as Gary rebutted the idiocy of Abramson's statements, both the fare which the vendor prepares and Tuvia's logic are full of hot air and there is not a kernel of truth in Abramson's deductions. Gary masterfully refuted this modern Pharisee so blinded by the gnat that he has swallowed the camel as Morella illustrated in "Blind guides..." Christ or chaos Dr. Thomas Droleskey, very familiar with the landscape of New York City and even more so with the Traditional thermometer of the Big Apple, lamented that the beautiful old St. Ann's is being sold. The sacred will become the profane for a post-office is scheduled to be built there. But Cardinal Edward M. Egan doesn't seem to be sensitive to the needs of souls. After all, his reputation is more treasured as a Donald Trump of real estate than of souls. Sad but true. Tom shared some of his own personal experiences and what this cherished old church represents to faithful Catholics and the entire course of history as the revolution is prepared to wipe out totally any vestiges of Traditionalism in the largest city of the world. What price progress?! Tom detailed in his column posted on his site on the feast of St. Joseph Faithless, Heartless Bureaucrats!
Gabriel's Clarion Gabriel Garnica got out his boots because the ridiculous diatribes against Mel Gibson and his magnificent masterpiece 'The Passion of The Christ' seem to grow more foul by the day and being uncovered for exactly what they are: all-out anti-Catholicism - actually anti-Traditional Catholicism as Jews preach Vatican II on the tube and apostate theologians deny the divinity of Christ and accuse Mel of 'making it up.' Right!!! No, it is getting deeper and deeper in the dung-heap as the fertilizer is spread out in ink and on the air. Gabriel sounded the clarion of what we need to do when those who prize trash and profanity call the Divine just that. Beware, warned Gabriel in his column, to those who would spread this bull to Watch Your Step!. Lex Orandi, Lex Credendi Kevin Tierney presented his third installment on the Disciplines of Lent in this series simply called "Lex Orandi, Lex Credendi." He took the reader through the Propers of the Traditional Latin Mass and compared it to what is offered in the Novus Ordo Missae. Needless to say the latter pales in comparison, but Kevin explained why the New Order has left it so ambiguous and avoids those things which are absolutely necessary not only for striving toward sanctity, but for salvation. Kevin broke down the Gospel of the Transfiguration of Our Lord and showed how the NO skirts the entire issue of what Christ demands. The Disciplines of Lent: The Second Sunday of Lent
The eleventh chapter of our series on the history of Holy Mother the Church and the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass continued to focus on the first half of the Third Century overall with the focus on the establishing of the official Mother Tongue of the Church as Latin. We outlined the reasons for this which led, indirectly to the first schism within the Church and the first antipope Hippolytus who would eventually repent of his apostasy and die a holy man. But the crack had already appeared and over the next several centuries grow wider as the chasm between East and West grew deeper and further apart. Compounding the inner turmoil was the stepped-up persecution by ruthless Roman emperors who went to great lengths to once and for all eliminate these pests called Christians. As we all know their efforts thankfully failed miserably and from the blood sprouted new life as Christianity gained a strong foothold throughout the Roman Empire. These are some of the topics covered in the eleventh installment: The Price to Pay for the Priceless Gift Reflections on 'The Passion of The Christ' The renowned Dr. David Allen White checked in with his reflections of Mel Gibson's masterpiece in an excellent article he submitted to The Remnant and which we highly recommend for as this noted PhD. pointed out that just by its being made has provided a "straightforward spiritual litmus test" for all. With all the drug-testing conversation going on about steroids, etc. this is a test to see who accepts Christ uncompromisingly today or rejects Him today. No different than during the very time when he trudged up the Via Dolorosa in Jerusalem. David brought up a very interesting point that we agree with. When one sees it more than once one gets an even greater perspective and consciousness that might have evaded one in watching it initially. In that point it makes the experience all the greater. David's article is a must read. Reflections on 'The Passion of The Christ' . Hope on the Horizon Marvin Grove in his column for The Hollywood Reporter on St. Patrick's Day listed the ten rules Mel Gibson has shattered in making and marketing 'The Passion of The Christ'. In what Hollywood calls the "Ten Commands" Mel has become the "new Moses" by smashing the old safe norms of past moguls and studios that was the dogma for so many years. In like manner that Christ established the New Covenant, Mel has established a New light on how to produce a successful film that defies all the tenets of Hollywood and embraces a staunch faith in God that everything will turn out all right if we work as if everything depends on us, and pray and let go in realizing everything depends on God. Mel has introduced no new dogmas, but a traditional hardwork ethic that has paid off because he didn't go by the book Hollywood wrote, but the book inspired by the greatest Author of all time: the Holy Ghost. Read Grove's take on Mel's breaking all the taboos in his article Gibson breaks Hollywood's 10 Commands .
Other than the coveted Walter L. Matt Memorial Lecture, there are no official recognitions that we know of. That is why we have created the "Tower of Trent" Trophies to present on the web to worthy recipients who have fought for the cause of preserving and upholding the Truths and Traditions of Holy Mother Church. Though we are announcing this first in the order, it will be the last to be rewarded. Deadline for nominations and categories so that we might be able to acknowledge more worthy efforts will be Easter Monday, April 12th. That is the day after the Feast of Saint Leo the Great. The actual announcement of winners will be on the 87th Anniversary of Our Lady's First Apparition at Fatima and the Feast of that great Doctor of carrying out the Decrees of Trent, Saint Robert Bellarmine. You can send your nominations and ideas to Tower of Trent Nominations and Category Suggestions
Passion's' Passionate Returns Illustrate the Fever of the Fervor of Faith!
If you have stayed away because you couldn't handle the violence, check your Faith. Christ didn't like it either but He was willing to undergo the humiliation and unbearable pain for you. It's Lent; offer it up and help carry His cross by experiencing this miracle that is moving souls, so much so that two men have turned themselves into law authorities for their crimes, one was for murder, the other for theft. Why? Because Mel's movie tinged their consciences. True modern Dismas men in our midst. How many more have changed and amended their lives? God only knows. Go see 'The Passion' again and then let us know what you thought of the film and how it affected you. Share with our readers by writing to My take on 'The Passion' In an area that has seen their share of terrorism but is a key place in salvation history Mel's movie is being well received in both Damascus in Syria and Beirut in Lebanon. Reporter Henri Mamarbachi out of Beirut for middle-east-on-line.com files the following that The Passion:
"Coming out of the theater ... I saw a lot of people in tears," reported Fayez Wehbe, who saw the film - with Arabic sub-titles - in Damascus. Certain sequences are in Aramaic, the language that was dominant in the Holy Land at the time of Christ and which can still be heard in certain towns in Syria, notably Maalula and Saadnaya near Damascus. "Some members of the audience could not conceal their astonishment on hearing some expressions - such as Ya Illah (My God) - that are close to Arabic," said Wehbe. Added another Syrian cinema-goer: "The fact that this film is being shown in the current Middle East context, which opposes Israel and the Arabs, explains part of its success." Given its popularity in Damascus a fourth showing has been added to the three that had been initially offered, with people often buying tickets in the morning to be sure of getting a place. The film has spawned reams of commentary because of its unflinchingly graphic portrayal of Christ's crucifixion. In some quarters it has been seen as promoting anti-Semitism by a negative depiction of Christ's fellow Jews, while that view has been strongly rejected in others. Here in Beirut, the film has been warmly received. Lebanon's Maronite church has described it as "impressive" and found it not to be anti-Semitic. "It is very sad, extremely impressive," commented Cardinal Nasrallah Sfeir, the spiritual head of the Maronite church. "We don't see any anti-Semitism there." An official from one of Beirut's larger movie houses said "the public has come in strong numbers to see 'The Passion' but it has not been an exceptional rush." North of the capital, in the heavily Christian Junieh region, the film is selling well, although it is off limits to youths under the age of 15. Elsewhere in the Arab world, Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat saw the film at his headquarters in Ramallah on the West Bank and pronounced it "moving." "The Passion of the Christ" will also be shown in Cairo, where it is likewise forbidden to minors because of its violent scenes, starting March 31, and has been available to movie goers in the Gulf state of Qatar since last Sunday. "We submitted 'The Passion of the Christ' to the censorship committee, which had no objection to its screening" in Qatar, said Abdul Rahman Mohsen, the director general of a private Qatari cinema company. The committee usually censors scenes or images depicting prophets from the holy books. The film is being shown three times a day in a cinema in Doha and will be screened for at least one month, Mohsen said. THEFT at the Box Office depriving Mel Gibson of his rightful share and numbers! If you hear a theater manager tell you "Mel's made enough money already!" it's a sure sign something illegal is going on at your theater. No wonder numbers have slipped this past week!
Newsmax.com has just reported that the possibility exists that 'The Passion of The Christ' could be getting short-circuited at the box office by an old trick prejudiced theater owners have used in the past. It seems to be happening again as they report WSVN-TV uncovered this tactic at a movie cinemaplex in Miami, Florida where a woman Frances Cannon bought tickets to see Mel's movie and was given tickets reflecting Hidalgo instead of 'The Passion.' Naturally the tickets were good for 'The Passion' but that was not the point for even though Mrs. Cannon went into the theater and watched 'The Passion' the proceeds she plopped down were earmarked for 'Hidalgo'. This prompted the reporter for WSVN to ask about Mel's film, which in the last week has dropped considerably in box-office returns after steady and phenomenal returns, "should that dollar figure even be higher ... yes." Newsmax wrote:
A deeply religious woman, she and her family paid to see the movie but noticed their six tickets were marked "Hidalgo," not "The Passion of the Christ." (The unpopular "Hidalgo," by the way, just so happens to star Bush-hating appeasement activist Viggo Mortensen.)
When Mrs. Cannon noticed the mistake and asked the cashier to fix it, the manager intervened. "He told me that they have already sold enough tickets and these six credits wouldn't matter anyway ... he's [Gibson] made enough money anyway."
She contacted Seven News (the Miami TV station) after the manager again refused to give proper credit to "The Passion."
The station says a corporate official of the chain, which it did not identify, admitted the manager was wrong, should have corrected the error and would correct it.
WSVN reports: "The theater wanted to know why Frances was so concerned about this. Bottom line ... she didn't want to get anyone in trouble ... she just wanted to make sure that Mel Gibson's movie got the money she paid ... We contacted Mel Gibson's people ... they are aware of the situation."
The reader who sent us this tip wonders, "Is this kind of theft of Mel Gibson going on in other parts of the country?"
Movie fans, check your ticket stubs and raise hell if your money is incorrectly going to Viggo or the other pampered leftists of Tinseltown.
And Newsmax has a very poignant point. There are many ways to sabotage a movie if one wants to and this time it is coming from within the theaters themselves by the theater owners. We've seen where Zionist Karmitz in France has refused to show it, calling it "Fascist Propaganda" when in truth he is the Fascist. There is an underground of opposition among the liberals and they'll do anything to prevent Mel's movie from becoming the largest grossing and most popular movie ever, even to fabricating the returns by selling tickets to other movies for 'The Passion'. It's a dirty little trick which can add up big. It would also explain why Mel's movie dropped below the cult film 'Dawn of the Dead' and one wonders how many tickets to 'Dawn' were sold to those who went to see 'The Passion'. That would justify why Mel's movie has been hanging just below the elusive $300 million mark when many projected it would already have reached that zenith. It is something everyone should check carefully when going to see 'The Passion'. If you find the same tactics, ask others in the theater if they too have been duped and then ask the theater manager and owners: What do you have against Mel? If they come back with the liberal remark, "Mel's made enough money already," then you know the sabotage has been going on at your theater and you need to bring it to the attention of both the media and authorities for it is outright dishonest. It is against the Seventh Commandment!
This is another reason we need to flood theaters in the next two weeks for many theater owners, as indicated in earlier editions, would like to see 'The Passion' gone from their theaters as soon as possible. Why is a reason that reaches all the way to the depths of their liberal bias for they have been making good money from the takes on 'The Passion' but because they might be anti-Catholic or anti-Christian or just hate the good guy Mel, they'll do anything to sabotage the film. Rise up, Christian America, and let them know we will not stand for such shameful tactics!
As more return to see it again or for the first time
beginning in Passion Week through Easter when churches will turn out in droves once again to incorporate the totally Catholic essence of the Passion and Death of Christ into their Lenten devotions. Let us hope and pray they will understand the Catholic meaning of Atonement and the necessity of the Propitiatory Sacrifice which is only re-enacted in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass in the untained Latin Mass. Sadly, there are way more more theaters than churches that offer the True Mass today, making our own walk to Calvary all the more significant and lonely. Yet it's important not to go the lonely route as far as the film is concerned. It's important that 'The Passion' stays in theaters through Easter so get your family, friends and neighbors together and go see it again this week. I guarantee you'll come away with more each time. It's that kind of experience. That is another reason it should easily have surpassed $300 million by now and this story broken by Newsmax.com could be just the tip of the iceberg.
Projections are already coming in that Mel will reap ten-fold what he invested in the movie. How appropriate and biblical. In light of The Hollywood Reporter's Martin Grove, article, which showed just how well Mel Gibson and his film are positioned, the suspicion of sabotage grows all the more strong. Satan is furious with Mel and those who go and will do anything to throw a monkey wrench into the works. We can throw up our hands and say 'ah, what are you going to do?" but why go the lukewarm route that will only result in the inevitable ugliness described in Apocalypse 3: 16.
Have hope! Ah, yes, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible" (Matthew 19: 25). Truly Our Lord is rewarding Mel for his work and rewarding souls for this film has caused EVERYONE to talk about Jesus Christ! Now the Vatican needs to come clean and hopefully the Holy Ghost will touch the heart of John Paul II who will realize the folly of the past 40 years and why Christ has suffered all the more because the Pope was not more vigilant on his watch and has allowed error and anathema to spread so. We can only pray for a miracle that he would wake up and return Holy Mother Church to the Truths and Traditions of St. Peter through Pope Pius XII. ABANDON THE ECUMENICAL PATH for the sake of souls! Mel's movie is bringing the whole question of ecumenism to the surface and it won't hold up against the infrangible Dogma Extra Ecclesiam Nulla Salus which every NO bishop is afraid to admit. Rid the Church of these charlatans! Mel's movie is a start! KNOW THE FAITH in order to KEEP THE FAITH! We invite you to find out for yourself the truth as we present a compendium portal of documents on the Faith in all aspects, past, present and to come. We guarantee what you read is in full harmony with the Truths and Traditions of Holy Mother Church, and we guarantee you that if you read it all with a discerning heart you will be able to decipher the wheat from the chaff. You will better understand what the absolutes of our Faith are and not be fooled by modernism and ambiguities, no matter how cleverly they are couched. Remember satan is the father of half-truths. Read the fullness of the Truths and Traditions of the Roman Catholic Faith by clicking on any of the bars below.
|
|
Copying and disseminating written material is permitted provided nothing is taken out of context and the URL and sources are credited. For pertinent questions referring to this, contact the Editor
| |||||||||
