THE HISTORY OF THE MASS AND HOLY MOTHER CHURCH

INTRODUCTION
      The Feature Article, begun in the inaugural issue two years ago, deals with the state of the Church. We continue probing the question that has perplexed the Magisterium and the laity for the past 30 years as the liberal element has left its mark, effecting changes that have seemingly watered down the "Roman Catholic" traditions. Yet, God in His Infinite Wisdom, has allowed this to happen for a specific purpose. He has been preparing us in a special way by sending His very Own Blessed Mother to guide us and remind us of our roots. Through perseverance, prayer and loyalty to Holy Mother Church headed by the Holy Father John Paul II and adhered to by the faithful who will not compromise, the pendulum is beginning to swing back toward the conservative side. In the seventieth installment of this on-going feature series, we continue to sound the clarion as a wake-up call to all Catholics, especially bringing to the attention of all Catholics the necessity to mobilize the laity for the sake of Holy Mother Church. If we don't pay attention, we shall pay dearly as the third millennium dawns. We continue to alert the reader to what is happening and sound the call to arms, to enlist in Mary's army and take up the battle cry. God said it, we believe it, that settles it! Too many Catholics are going their own way with little regard to what their spiritual shepherd - the Vicar of Christ says. Sin is whitewashed. If we're not careful there will be a tremendous backwash and who among us wants to get caught in the vortex of that swirling whirlpool of Justice? With this chapter we begin a number of articles on the Triumph of the Immaculate Heart of Mary which will signal the beginning of the glorious Reign of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the new era of peace, the time Our Lady told Saint Bernadette, will be the "Second Golden Age of Mankind." This series is a set blueprint for Catholics everywhere to take up the banner of truth in defending Christ's One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church as we prepare for this glorious event.

      It is fitting that we begin our treatise on the Triumph of the Immaculate Heart of Mary on the Solemnity of her Divine Son Jesus' Triumphant entry into Heaven at His Ascension. We begin with an article wrtten by Father Dominik Maria on this special event.

     There is no doubt that this is a crucial time in our lives. It is our belief that we are living in a most significant period of this century, and that we are entering the times promised in Fatima - the time of the Triumph of Our Lady's Heart.

     This, our conviction, is strengthened by many signs of the times that we are able to witness in the Church among the people of God, those who are humble and simple of heart and therefore able to listen to the Father.

     First, we must look to our Holy Father. He is a SIGN of this time. He is the light coming from the east, called from afar to lead the Church into this new era announced and promised at Fatima - The Triumph of the Immaculate Heart of Mary!

     John Paul II is the Pope of Fatima in a special way. His blood was shed with an attempt on his life in St. Peter's Plaza on the anniversary of the first apparition in Fatima, the 13th of May, 1981. After three years, on the 25th of March - the Annunciation - in 1984, he fulfilled the consecration requested to Sister Lucia by Our Lady of Fatima - the consecration of Russia and the world to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

     Another sign coming from the east is the big wonder of the breaking down of communism in Russia and in the east. Our Holy Father said, in his visit to Fatima in 1991, that it was Our Lady who led these oppressed nations into freedom.

     Many people who believe in the message of Fatima prayed for this wonder to happen in consecrating themselves to Our Lady and in offering their daily sacrifices, prayers and crosses for the conversion of Russia, and so of the world.

     In the beginning of this century, the Heavens gave us the focus of the mission to be accomplished - the Triumph of Our Lady in Russia, and through Russia, the entire world. Thus the central focus remains Russia.

     To understand this global plan of peace relating to the conversion of Russia, we must achieve simplicity and humility of heart. If we believe that we must convert Russia and the east, we have the wrong conviction. Russia and the east will convert us! We need only to help Russia to be converted, and in these efforts to help, we will be the ones who will experience conversion.

     In Fatima, Our Lady spoke of the "Triumph of the Heart," thus a triumph that starts from the hear to reach other hearts; a Triumph that begins very deep in each of us; a Triumph manifested through the most wonderful fruit of the spirit, charity.

     Charity of the heart is living in sacrifice as requested by Our Lord, a sacrifice that is nurtured by prayer and self donation, by suffering and joy, by purity of heart and simplicity. It is given and not created, for it is a pure gift of God. The gift of charity is received in faith and is to be shared in humility. It is shared in humility to be received again, more precious than before, in joy.

     "In the end my heart will triumph" is the Heavenly promise given to us by Our Lady of Fatima in 1917 [July 13, 1917] and is to be taken ever so seriously today by those who consecrate themselves to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. This plan, this call, to each one of us for the renewal of the Church (and so of the world) is The Triumph.

     This plan of Our Lady is simple yet intense - like our YES. Our simple but intense YES given through our consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, allows us to be put in her service as an Apostle for the Triumph. It is our "Yes" which is ready to accept the joys as well as the sorrows. There are many who speak often in "her name," yet their own name remain on their lips. We must speak "her words" - she must be allowed to speak through us! For this reason, to become an Apostle for the Triumph, no title is needed, no curriculum vitae, no special relationship with any visionary; nor the quantity of books written or read or talks given. The only request is to become her child, to give witness on every occasion, every time and everywhere, and to have the courage to have no agenda - she will do everything.

     That has to be encouraging news for all. All we need to do is enlist and Our Lady will do the rest. In the next installment we shall complete this piece by Fr. Maria before delving further into the meaning of the Triumph of the Immaculate Heart.