The true meaning of Assisi is more vital than ever: "Rebuild My Church!"
With all the hoopla that the Second Assisi 'peace' summit or 'Interfaith get together' will undoubtedly receive, a simple plea to the Holy Father to take charge could do wonders - far more powerfully than catering to leaders of false religions for the sake of ecumenism and tolerance
In a few weeks the media will play up the most popular train trip in Europe since the Orient Express. I'm speaking of the notorious train to Assisi that will leave Rome's Statione Centrale Roma Termini with a covey of religious dignitaries aboard, headed by Pope John Paul II himself. While many are lauding this trip and the second summit of ecumenical leaders at Assisi on January 24, if it is anything like the first Assisi 'peace' summit held in 1986 it will only be another fruitless journey that will further diminish Catholic truths all for the sake of pleasing mankind in striving towards one world order under the guise of Our Lord's words that all may be one. That would be wonderful, but if one checks the curriculum of ecumenism compromise trumps conversion every time. That is not what Jesus had in mind.
We have taken the train to Assisi and it is the best way to go. Unfortunately Saint Francis did not have such luxuries and so he walked the entire way - both ways more than once. Traveling to Assisi by train is a beautiful experience as it leaves the bowels of the terminal in Rome and snakes its way due north into the verdant Umbrian Hills, passing through Terni, then climbing more to Foligno on the western edge of the Apennine Mountain range and then leveling off as it arrives in the valley of Assisi. Along the way there are numerous villages from the middle ages carved into and around the granite cliffs. In every one of these villages the highest peak is always the church steeple - the Catholic church in that town. This is as it should be.
Above the train depot in the valley the elevated medieval city of Assisi with its red-tiled roofs is quite visible a few miles away. Towering high into the sky is the stately bell tower connected to the magnificent Basilica of St. Francis located on the lower edge of Assisi. The village winds its way upward to the Church of Saint Clare and other churches that nestle in between homes and shops as this quaint, quiet ville struggles to keep the modern tourism traps to a minimum. Inhabitants of Assisi live simply, working, playing and praying together. 95% of the population is Catholic. It is headquarters for the Franciscan Order. This region was a pearl of the Papal States for many centuries. To walk the cobble-stones of Assisi is to step back in time to the pre-Renaissance period in all its purity. Little did people realize early in the thirteenth century that when Francis shed his garments and turned his back on his father's fortunes, he was embracing something far richer. Those traditions have been preserved quite well in Assisi.
Now a new tradition is being foisted on this simple village and, if the repercussions Assisi and this region, especially Perugia, suffered in the aftermath of the first Assisi 'peace' summit, then they will not be as welcoming as many might assume. The memories of the devastating earthquakes late in the 20th century are still fresh in their minds. Some scaffolding still stands four years after the temblors that shook the Umbrian region. Many believe it was a warning from God, yay even a punishment, for the blasphemy that occurred in St. Francis Basilica in 1986 when false religions were given equal status with the Catholic Faith by the Pope, going so far as to allow a statue of Buddha to be placed on top of the sacred tabernacle and worshipped with incense. We pray that same blasphemy and violation of the First Commandment "I am the Lord thy God; thou shalt not have strange gods before Me" will not occur again. Heaven help us if it does. Needless to say, despite the fact the Pope is coming to their village, they are nervous and praying all the more that no harm befalls them because they are hosting this 'peace' summit.
Just west of the train station is the Basilica of Our Lady of the Angels where the portiuncula - the little portion chapel Francis built when Our Lord said to the humble founder of the Order of Friars Minor, "Rebuild My Church." Francis took Christ literally and built the small chapel, ornately decorated inside and out. It still stands, dwarfed in the center of the great basilica in the Valley where a gold statue of Mary towers above the square below. Two years ago we revisited Assisi and she seemed much sadder this time, almost weeping. She has reason to and so do we for so much promise has ended in further eroding of the True Faith, so many of the Traditions have been shelved in favor of pleasing others and tolerating religious liberty. Fraternity, as Walter Cardinal Kasper, new head of the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of Christian Unity says, is a key element for ecumenism, just as it was during the French Revolution - Liberty, Equality and Fraternity. The entire agenda then and, sadly today as well, is to destroy the Roman Catholic Church, the one obstacle that has stood against modernism and liberalism until Vatican II. Since then Catholic truths have been muted and rationalized for the sake of not offending non-Catholics. The Mass itself was entirely revamped and changed with the main purpose of making it more palatable to non-Catholics. Never mind the Catholic, he'll buy anything if he is brainwashed long enough. Why, he'll even forget the beautiful traditions the Church held sacred for nearly 2000 years. After all the world is changing. Never mind that God does not change, never mind that the truths of our Faith do not change, we have to accommodate the prodigal sons who will only return on their terms. They will only eat at their father's table if they choose the menu and the guests and dictate their own rules. We must be politically correct. Tolerance and dialogue are the latest buzz words. All this at the expense of souls adrift in a lukewarm sea of mediocrity, lulled into a false sense of accomplishment. In truth, the modern church's sensitivities to others have only served to create more problems and more confusion. Another generation's knowledge of the True Faith has been watered down. How can we expect people to faithfully keep the Faith when they don't know the Faith?
Probably the best plea I have read in a long time for stopping the madness that the Assisi 'peace' summit promises but can't deliver came from one of the most Vaticanista of publications, Inside the Vatican in the December issue in which editor Robert Moynihan was brave enough to publish a letter to the editor in which the writer, Edward Ciaccio, provided an excellent plea to the Holy Father which Moynihan titled "Bring Back the Papal Coronation." Ciaccio's plea went so much further in total love and respect, but a firmness that Christ's Church needs rebuilding to the stature it was before the reforms of Vatican II started eroding the foundations. We share Ciaccio's complete words with you for these are truly the avenue His Holiness should pursue if he truly seeks that 'all may be one.' Those words in blue are the additional words edited out conceivably because of space constraints in the printed magazine.
To the Holy Father, Sovereign Pontiff
To all the Bishops of the World
And to the Twelve Tribes Scattered among the Nations:
Greetings in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!
These last few months have been a watershed in the life of the Church and God's holy people. We have been awakened to the urgency to reform our lives and to repent from all wrongdoing.
We know, most Holy Father, that you have always been an advocate of morality and a strong promoter of people who do good and live devout and holy lives. We know that you have engaged peoples of other, albeit false, religions, but that the ultimate purpose of these measures was to share the good news of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Gospel.
But now dear Holy Father, as you yourself know, we must be more resolute than ever in our efforts to achieve the prize to which we have been called since the beginning of time, that is, the Everlasting Glory through our Lord and Savior, and King, Jesus Christ, and His Divine and Sacred Heart. We know only too well, along with you, dear Pontiff, that these efforts have been delayed or even thwarted by the power of the Evil One, Prince of the World, who grows ever stronger as we hasten toward the end of all things of this age. He has and continues to be a thorn in our side, who seeks to make us stumble and fall on our journey, and sometimes succeeds, with bitter results. Therefore, how all of the Nations need the Lord at this critical juncture in time! This need, this necessity, nevertheless, is clouded by Man’s effort, in seeking to build a paradise on earth, which is in vogue presently.
We can say that ‘social justice’, with all the word connotes, has been a major theme in the days since the last watershed mark in the history of the Church, that is, 1965, at the close of the last Council, Vatican II. As you and we all know, many of the moments during these last 36 years, or three twelve’s, have been marked by grievous events and happenings that were mostly unforeseen beforehand. We can, nonetheless, turn to Our Lady of La Salette, or of Fatima, to understand that some of the events that She prophesied have been fulfilled, though some are still to come. There is no doubt that many souls have been lost through a lack of being taught the holy faith, or of a lack in willingness to receive or to keep that faith. Although most all of the clergy have good hearts, and are as dismayed as the rest of us over these dire circumstances of present times, they earnestly look to you, dear Sovereign Pontiff, for leadership. It would appear that with the new era that now lies before us we should also be given a holy vision with which to engage and defeat the enemy, for: "without a vision the people perish".
It is clear, O Pope, what this vision must be, that is, the vision of the Everlasting Glory, that has always been with the People of God, though we have forgotten it recently in the face of much ridicule from secularists and modernists of all stripes. It is a vision of the Glory of the Coming of the Lord, Christ the Redeemer, as King and Sovereign Ruler over all Men. And those of us who know Him, know that we must act in accordance with His Return even now, as though He were already amongst us again, as indeed He is, through the Counselor, that is, the Holy Ghost. It would seem that you dear Holy Father, as representative of the Lord, must show yourself to be ever more resolute in these matters because the evildoers multiply. Some say that you are near the end of your Pontificate, that is, it is said by your enemies and the gossips of the Church. However, this need not be so. O Pope live forever! We have prayed for you to be granted the same long and distinguished tenure of your predecessor Leo XIII, who lived and reigned to about the age of 93. The mind of Leo XIII was clear to the end of his earthly life, and some of his most fruitful work for the Church was done toward the end of his days.
You, dear Holy Father, the pope of the turn of the 20th century and of the Millennium, are facing some of the same decisions that the pope of the turn of the 19th century was confronted with. There were many evils in that day, and he fought them all with strength and a resolute heart. His vigor also helped to set the foundation for the work of the great popes of the first part of the 20th century, from Pius X to Pius XII and those in between. They all saw the vision of the Everlasting Glory, knowing that the aim of all Popes in the service of the Most High and Living God is to imitate His presence here on earth in matters of leading and governing the Church, and to act as high priest for the people, we who are unworthy, all of us, before the sight of God, by entering the Holy of Holies and sacrificing to the Lord with repentance, and this, we are speaking of in the spiritual sense as well as the temporal.
Therefore, O Pontiff, it would seem clear that now more than ever, there is a need, in fact a necessity, to honor Christ as King and Sovereign Priest, Who ministers before the altar of the Heavenly Father to pray for us and to redeem those of us who are counted as worthy.
Although we are not worthy, He can make us so and longs for His bride the Church, because He has on His mind the alternative, that is, the fire that burns forever and ever, which is never quenched, whereupon those entering that place are stricken with worms which never die.
Our Lady of Fatima spoke of this and showed visions of it even to children, one of whom is with us still, and we must all receive such hard teachings of the Lord as children, with careful attention, obedience, and firmness of purpose. I urge and beseech you therefore, dear Pontiff, to bring all peoples of the earth closer to the Lord our God by redoubling your efforts.
Firstly, the life of the Church is in a dismal state. There is scarcely any reverence or holiness by the laity for what is good and proper, namely, our Lord God in the Tabernacle, the Blessed Virgin and all the Saints, and the priests and religious who spend their days ministering before the altar and teaching and guiding the people in faith.
During these past three twelve's of years, the ancient ways of the Church appeared to some of little faith to be totally irrelevant and antiquated. For example, the coronation of the Pope, the Tabernacle as centerpiece, which is the Presence of the Lord, the focus of the clergy and religious on matters concerning the salvation of souls rather than on merely social justice, reverence at Holy Mass, the rightful title of the Lord as Sovereign King, to Whom all our allegiance must be given, seemed to some to be like relics of the ancient past.
We must, dear Holy Father, return to these things, which are not archaic, but rather are necessary for strong spiritual growth. The Lord tells us: "Return to Me and I will return to you."
The Church is glorious and triumphant, as she must be, because Christ will return as you know, and every knee will bow. There is still time, and you are still in a position to be the vessel of the Lord which orchestrates this return to right things for the health of the Church.
You may object that returning to the more "traditional" way of doing things that was with us from the time of Peter to 1965, rather than conforming to the modern world as has been with us since the ushering in of the "springtime" of Vatican II, will offend the peoples of the false religions, from the Muslims, to the Jews, to Protestants and Hindus and Buddhists.
In fact, dear Holy Father, it is just the opposite. The world is yearning for a return to the moral law which has been in place ever since the time of Adam and Eve, and is still in force, though little observed at present.
The Muslims look at Catholics presently and think "what a corrupt people" - and for the most part what they say is true.
The Buddhists look at us and think that "the Catholics have no spirituality" - and for the most part they are speaking the truth also.
The Protestants see us as being "ignorant of the Word of God" - they hit the nail on the head.
The Hindus and Shintos see us as a religion that "leads not by example but by coercion" - and for the most part they are correct.
The Jews see us as a "huge archaic bureaucracy that has become ineffective" - and for the most part they are correct also.
The most significant act of your reign, O Sovereign Pope, would be to accede to the coronation ceremony of all Popes as a proclamation of your right to rule and reign in the place of Christ, which has been shunned up to the present point in your pontificate. You must be crowned with the Tiara; all the world is in dire need of your leadership in this manner. Once done, it is not only within your authority but all the more, within your capabilities as leader of souls that the people will obey you, as you work to bring back the reverence and holiness that is so urgently needed in the communal life of Roman Catholics everywhere, from day-to-day secular tasks, to communication with others, and in particular, in the liturgical acts of participating in the Holy Mass and worship, and to prayer and petition before God.
You might wish to decree for example, that the Tabernacle be returned to the front and center of all churches throughout the earth, that Latin be used more extensively, or even exclusively, in the liturgy,as is even stated in the Vatican II documents, and that Cranmer’s table, presently used to serve mass, be eliminated as a bad idea and your priests go back to serving the altar, facing, as it were, with the people, towards God. That also, the priests and religious return to wearing the clerical garments of old (rather than the new polyester variety), which served to distinguish them among God’s people as those entrusted with preserving the faith. It could do a great deal of good, dear Holy Father, if you were to decree a restoration of the holy prayers and devotions of old as listed in the old Roman Missal. How could God not fail to be moved to help this people, His people, when they earnestly recite the holy prayers and devotions which were for the most part cast aside in the early years following 1965? Finally, to reinstate the requirement to take the Oath Against Modernism of St. Pius X for all priests and religious, and to restore the text of Quo Primum at the front of every altar missal, would likely be most advantageous ways to instill that spirit, the Spirit of God, which would lead to a return to the true faith.
And to this some may say that it is impossible, that there would be open rebellion by the people and many of the bishops. ‘Tis not so! God will be with you! We have arrived at the beginning of a new era, dear friend, if I may call you thus, one which calls for strong action on your part and that of all the people. The people of God are longing for a solution to the present troubles, I with them. They will not protest a return to holiness, and such a return will be respected even by the members of false religions that you seek to mollify, and it might even save some of them.
The Muslims will see a moral populace, the Buddhists will observe our spirituality, the Protestants will be impressed by our knowledge of the Word of God, the Hindus and Shintos will note that we lead by example, and the Jews will understand that the huge bureaucracy that is the Church plays an important role in the life and salvation of its people.
Dear Holy Father, you will need some assistance to undertake such measures. I am an unworthy servant, and you have not requested my counsel. However, I humbly beseech you to allow me to suggest that you turn to those who have a knowledge of the ancient ways in order to help you in this essential undertaking. In particular, the priests of the Society of Saint Pius X have offered to help you. They are your friends. They have volunteered to weed out the defects that have encroached the body of the Church, even to the very walls of the Vatican. As you and your cardinals said, the people of this group appeared very reverent before God during the occasion of the Millennial Jubilee which you proclaimed. And though guilty like everyone else, they do their best. In addition, other of your traditional Orders are knowledgeable in the ancient liturgical form.
Why not, dear Holy Father, assent to the suggestion to grant the Traditional Mass of Pope Pius V once and for all to everyone? Why not, dear Holy Father, agree to let the Society of St. Pius X, which has been open and above board in these matters, work to restore confidence in the divinity of the Lord and His Gospel, which is so sorely needed in these times, and to restore the dignity and moral authority of the Church that has been so assaulted by evildoers in recent days up to the present time?
It is your decision, O Pontiff.
The power of God, through the Holy Ghost, a fragrant and holy incense that works through the Church, can either be restored by strong devotion to the Kingship of Christ, firstly by your example and hand, or we can continue to acquiesce and weaken, which causes a diminishment, to the point almost of dissolution, of the City of God. The interpretation of the Fatima message given by Our Lady to Sister Lucia, which we earnestly wait for to be revealed through the will of your Office, is purported to speak of these things and the consequences. The present circumstances present a strong opportunity to set things aright, dear Holy Father, and that opportunity has been left by the Good Lord in your care. May the prayers and pious works of the people be as holy gifts to God so that you may be given all of the merit required to successfully complete this holy task.
Wise words indeed; ones that will go further than any dialogue pre-Assisi, during or post-Assisi could ever possibly do. Ciaccio is right on. For indeed John Paul II really was never coronated since we have learned that he not only rejected the Papal tiara, but refused to take the Solemn Papal Oath which every Pontiff before him had taken. That in itself is alarming. We will address that in another commentary in the near future. For now we can only hope and pray that this will be the last train to Assisi as far as ecumenical purposes go, and, that in the future, the Holy Father will realize if he really wants to gain the respect of other religious leaders, of separated flocks, of his own flock, then he will do what he must do as a 'Servant of the servants of God' and proclaim the Social Kingship of Jesus Christ for the entire world, thereby restoring the integrity and dignity, not to mention the Truths and Traditions of Holy Mother Church. It wouldn't hurt either if he would make a formal consecration of Russia to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, another point published by Moynihan in the same Letters to the Editor section from another writer.
For now I ask you to reread Ciaccio's gentle, but firm words and realize that he, along with countless loyal Catholics, are merely asking the Vicar of Christ to abandon the futile ecumenical bent and truly live up to what Our Lord asked of Francis. The true meaning of Assisi is more vital than ever: "Rebuild My Church!"
Michael Cain, editor
www.DailyCatholic.org
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