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A publication of Traditional Catholics of America t Editor: Fr. Francis E. Fenton, STL t Volume XIII, No. 8 t December 1, 1992
America's Descent Into Paganism (Part II)
John Kenneth Weiskittel
In The Temple Of The Devil selves have to say about paganism. Albert Mackey, an
eminent American Lodge scholar from the last century,
I n the previous issue of this newsletter (October 15, 1992),
two key elements in the national decline were ex-
writes of it this way in his Encyclopedia of Freemasonry:
"Its interest to the Masonic student arises from the fact that
amined: the official policy of religious indifferentism and the its principal development was the ancient mythology, in
coming of age by student radicals. There is, however, a third whose traditions and mysteries are to be found many
force that is the most critical of all. Called by Pope Pius IX interesting analogies with the Masonic system." (No doubt!)
the "Synagogue of Satan," it is the international conspiracy W. L. Wilmhurst, a leading British initiate, writes: "To the
against God and man known as Freemasonry. Jewish brother, Masonry points to the Father of the Faithful;
to the Hindu brother, it points to Krishna; to the Moslem, it
In the July 15, 1992 issue of The Athanasian appeared an
points to Mahomet (Mohammed)." But it was a Methodist
article, "Freemasonry: The Forgotten Enemy," that docu-
minister and opponent of secret societies, Reverend C.
ments how a great deal of what is happening in politics and
Penny-Hunt, who may have summed it up best:
society today is in perfect harmony with the agendas pro-
"Freemasonry is simply Theosophy. It is the perpetuation of
posed by the Lodge decades ago. It may be used, therefore,
the worship of the old pagan gods of ancient Egypt, Greece,
to cross-reference this article, particularly its third section
India, etc…."
which covers the connection between Masonry's declared
objectives for the transformation of society and current In his work, The Devil, Father Delaporte, a French
social conflicts. A few readers may roll their eyes with missionary, devotes a chapter to the fascinating question:
impatience, wondering if another passage on Freemasonic "Is the devil the head of secret societies?" He begins by
intrigue is really necessary; however, as will be shown citing the brazen plan proposed at a meeting of the Italian
directly, the role of the Lodge in this paganizing process is Alta Vendita, governing center of European Masonry (these
not at all a peripheral one but is at the very blackened heart documents were seized by the Pontifical Government and
of the issue. The claim that Masons are now weak and do not published in 1846 with the blessing of Pope Gregory XVI):
have considerable control anymore is naive, to say the least
As befits a group born and sustained in secrecy, the Lodge is "Our final end," wrote one of the high dignitaries of
content to remain in the shadows while "Masons without that gloomy empire in 1819, "our final end is that of
aprons" (those who carry out its aims without being Voltaire and the French Revolution, the annihilation
members) are mistakenly seen as the instigators, instead of of Catholicity, and even of the Christian idea, forever."
merely secondary agents of the movement This, then, is their object Another will give a sketch of
their proceedings: "It is decided in our councils that
In Masonry is to be found the cradle of modem religious we want no more Christians. Let us make ho martyrs,
indifferentism. Masons are free to believe in one god, many but make vice popular among the masses. Ld them
gods, all gods, or no gods. While all religions, it teaches, are breathe it through the five senses. Make hearts :Vicious,
valid expressions, it claims to have the ultimate truth. and you will have no more Catholics." If that be not
Hence, while a Protestant version of the Bible is found in diabolical language, what is?
U.S. lodges, those in India would be equipped with the Veda,
while Egyptian lodges carry the Koran. Christ is reduced to Diabolical indeed. What honest reader, surveying the ruins
the status of merely a teacher, no different from Krishna or of society all about, can conclude otherwise than that this
Mohammed. It is revealing to read what the Masons them- plot to "make vice popular" has been masterfully carried out
in the present day? And it is well worth noting that this youth. . . it is upon the corruption of they
was part of a two-pronged attack, the other part being the place all their hopes added].
internal subversion of the Roman Catholic Church.
Elsewhere in those foul papers can be found the Lodge's Given the debased state of so many of the nation's children
yearning for "a Pope according to our wants." This will and teenagers, the fact that America's future is in it<; youths
come about, "brother" Masons are instructed, by the is hardly a pleasing thought.
corruption of young seminarians, who will later have Pope Leo XIII spoke out often against "the deadly poison
positions of authority in the Church, and, when "You will circulating in the veins of human society." In his celebrated
bring yourselves as friends around the Apostolic Chair, encyclical on Masonry, Humanum Genus (1884), Pope Leo
you will have fished up a Revolution in Tiara and Cope, indicts it for seeking a neo-pagan world, identifies that
marching with Cross and banner – a Revolution which desire with the leader of the fallen angels, and cautions that
needs only to be spurred on a little to put the four acceptance of such aims would reduce society to the law of
quarters of the world on fire." (The fire mentioned here the jungle and sink it even beneath that of earlier pagans:
should not be seen as rebellion in the streets [recall that
earlier Masons are advised to "make no martyrs" – the To wish to destroy the religion and the Church which
tactics having shifted from overt violence, seen to be God Himself has established … to bring back, after a
counterproductive, to a more subtle variety of warfare] lapse of eighteen centuries, the manners and customs
but, rather, should be taken in the symbolic sense of of the pagans … is audacious impiety. Neither is it any
enflaming mankind with the "wisdom" of Freemasonry, less horrible nor more tolerable that they should re-
to be taught a false Gospel by equally false pastors as pudiate the benefits which Jesus Christ has mercifully
soon as the Lodge can plant it<; operatives. This, of obtained, not only for individuals, but also for the
course, has already been accomplished.) family and civil society … In this insane and wicked
endeavor we may almost see the implacable hatred and
Seven years later, Pope Gregory's successor forcefully spirit of revenge with which Satan himself is inflamed
denounced the revolt against the Christian social order. against Jesus Christ. So also the studious endeavor of
Father Delaporte writes: the Freemasons to destroy the chief foundations of jus-
The secret societies are the central focus of revolution, tice and honesty, and to cooperate with those who
and "REVOLUTION (said Pius IX, in his encyclical of would wish, as if they were mere animals, to do what
December 8, 1853) IS INSPIRED BY SATAN they please, tends only to the ignominious and dis-
HIMSELF [capitalization in original – JKW]. Its graceful ruin of the human race … To have in public
object is to destroy from top to bottom the edifice of
matters no care for religion and, in the administration
Christianity, and to reconstruct on its ruins the social
of civil affairs, to have no more care for God than if He
order of Paganism." Paganism is the public reign of
did not exist, is a rashness unknown to the very
the evil spirits substituted for that of God. pagans; for in hearts and souls of these latter the
notion of a deity and the need of public religion were
In Quanta Cura (1864), the encyclical accompanying the so finnly fixed that they would have thought it easier to
Syllabus of Errors, the same Pontiff emphasizes a point build a city in the air than to organize it without
that today's Catholic parents must heed, all the more now, religion and worship … Human society … for which by
with "entertainment" the way it is and, if they are among nature we are fonned, has been constituted by God,
the unfortunate who must send their children to a the Author of nature … therefore it is dear that those
Masonically-inspired public school, with it<; attendant who would absolve society from duty act
paganizing influences: not only unjustly but also with ignorance and folly.
All those who endeavor to throw into confusion both Similarly, Pope Leo XIII writes that Freemasonry seeks "the
religious and social affairs, to destroy the good order utter overthrow of that religious order of the world which
of society, and to annihilate all Divine and human Christian teaching has produced, and substitution of a
rights, have always exerted all their criminal schemes, new state of according to own ideas, based on
attention, and effort<; upon the manner in which they the and laws of pure Naturalism." the same let-
might, above all, deprave and delude unthinking exposes the Masons' desire to remove the
THE ATHANASIAN 2 DECEMBER 1, 1992
sacramental seal from matrimony as a "counter-morality" disheartening is that at a time when traditional Catholics
that seeks the evils "of civil marriage, of divorce, of free love need to dose ranks and fight the good fight against this
and of irreligious education for youth." He also indicts them organized wickedness, there are some – well-intentioned,
for supplying the very theory upon which the neo-pagan to be sure, but weak – who have little appreciation of how
society is based: absolutely the Popes have expected Catholics to oppose this
devilish evil. This has led them to form dangerous alliances
But the Naturalists and Freemasons deny that our first with Masons to fight the conspiracy! Rather, they should
parents sinned, and consequently that man's free will is
listen to Pope Pius IX who, in the encyclical Multiplices inter
in any way weakened or inclined to evil … Wherefore
(1865), warns in no uncertain terms: "Let the faithful know
we see that men are publicly tempted by the many
that such affiliates must be numbered among those with
allurements of pleasure; that there are journals and
whom the Apostle forbade us to associate, telling us to even
pamphlets with neither moderation nor shame; that
avoid greeting them [italics added]."
stageplays are remarkable for license; that designs for
works of art are shamelessly sought in the laws of a so- Readers in other nations are invited to reflect on the degree
called realism; that the contrivances for a soft and to which their lands have fallen to the same scheme, for it is
delicate life are most carefully devised; and that all the surely operating throughout the world. As early as 1953,
blandishments of pleasure are diligently sought out by Father Denis Fahey, the Irish compatriot of Father Cahill
which virtue may be lulled to sleep … and an equally important Catholic writer on the plot to
destroy the Christian social order, wrote to a fellow priest in
But do not Americans still have their freedoms? Can they England: "Ireland is going down the hill steadily, I am sorry
not become informed and oppose this evil? Yes, but for how to say, and the revolution is being prepared as in all the old
much longer? Daily, government is quietly restricting or Catholic countries. Some people are beginning to feel
removing our liberties, and the greater mass of citizens uneasy, but the vast majority do not notice that we are
continues sleeping ("lulled to sleep," according to Pope Leo) becoming hollow in our union with our Divine Lord [italics
as though nothing was happening. This process is well
added]." (And today Ireland, considered by many to have
described by Father Edward Cahill in Freemasonry & the
been the last stronghold of decency, is now on the verge of
Anti-Christian Movement:
legalizing abortion. Would that a new Saint Patrick emerge
It is dear that, in a social system organized according to reclaim the Emerald Isle!) While the U.S. has a postage
to these Masonic ideals [see the six planks of the stamp honoring rock singer Elvis Presley, Italy has gone it
Lodge's agenda cited on pages 3-4 of "Freemasonry: one better (actually, one worse) – an "actress" in
The Forgotten Enemy"], the masses of people, while pornographic movies is a member of its legislature! Space
nominally free, and in theory possessing the source of does not allow examples from other countries but it can be
all authority in the State, would inevitably become said without hesitation that not a single one in the world has
degraded and enslaved. Demoralized by indulgence, been spared.
deprived of the guidance and help which Christian Paganism And The Second Coming Of Christ
principles give, isolated, unorganized, mostly bereft of
permanent property, having a smattering of literacy When Saint Pius X was elected Pope in 1903, he announced
but without real education, they would have little or no that the aim of his pontificate would be to "restore all things
power of resistance against the tyranny of in Christ" The need for such a program was evident from
bureaucracies or financial combines controlling the the social disintegration taking place in formerly Christian
press and the economic life of the country. The nations and the impious attacks on the Church from within
substantial freedom, prosperity and true civilization her bosom. The gravity of the situation was. briU{antly – if
which accompany or result from the Christian regime shockingly – spelled out in a sentence from very first
would give way to social conditions akin to those of encyclical, E Suprema Apostolatus: "So extreme is the
pre-Christian Rome. general perversion that there is room to fear that we are
experiencing the foretaste and beginnings of the 1;vils which
Can any discerning reader help but come to the conclusion are to come at the end of time, and that the Son of
that the picture painted by Father Cahill largely has become Perdition, of whom the Apostle speaks, has already arrived
a reality in modern America? What is particularly upon earth."
THEA THANAS/AN 3 DECEMBER 1, 1992
More and more over the years this statement has taken on of hell" would not triumph over His Church. Yet, when the
an almost prophetic dimension, as has been amply shown in present situation is considered, it has direct relevance,
the preceding pages. The Athanasian has maintained a insomuch as those who hold fast to Catholic tradition have
policy consistent with the Church's admonition that been reduced to a remnant He also gives as a sign "the
Catholics, ignoring the rash opinions of heretical sects, abomination of desolation … standing in the holy place."
should exercise great prudence when considering the Last (Matt 24:15) Tuo centuries before the Incarnation, a Syrian
Days. Such denominations as the Jehovah's Witnesses and king profaned the Temple by introducing the worship of idols
the Seventh-Day Adventists have manifestly fulfilled Christ's there. In 1986, a striking parallel to this took place during
prophetic description of "false prophets," (Matt. 24:24-26) "Pope" John Paul II's interfaith meeting in Assisi when a
defying Him with their claims to be able to pinpoint the very statue of Buddha was set by its adorers atop the altar of a
day of His return – claiming, that is, to know that which He once Catholic church.
declared "no one knoweth." (Matt. 24:36) Hence, little has
been written here about the Parousia (or Second Coming) Finally, Saint Paul speaks of a time when the nations shall cry
and its attendant events. "peace and security; then shall sudden destruction come
upon them." (I Thess. 5:3-4) Since the Communist "reform"
Given the topic at hand, however, a brief consideration is in is .almost universally accepted as authentic, and the New
order. While we are forbidden to ascribe a day to the Lord's World Order is closer to a reality, "peace and security" are
coming, He Himself tells us that we can determine, in the geopolitical buzz words of the day. This is now –
general, when He is about to return; in fact, the signs will officially – a "safer world." So Americans were told by
signal it as clearly as the appearance of foliage on a fig tree President George Bush during his campaign for reelection.
foretells the start of summer. (Matt. 24:32-33) When the Far too many have been lulled into a false sense of security by
Scripture descriptions of the Last Days are placed side-by- such propaganda. The destruction to come wil assuredly be
side with the breakdown of society (much more ruined now deserved if the nations look to a one world government, and
than in Saint Pius' day) and the Vatican II subversion, it is not to God, for salvation. And the peoples who stand to suffer
difficult to conclude that this is anything but the final act in the most are those in nations that once accepted Christ, only
the play called History or, at the very least, a full dress to forsake Him for the false god ofglobalism.
rehearsal of the same.
The paganism into which America has fallen is an abyss of
Consider the following examples: Our Lord declares that darkness that has engulfed the globe. To paraphrase Saint
"the consummation" will only occur after the Gospel has
Athanasius: the world groaned to find itself pagan. Now, it
been preached in all nations. (Matt 24: 14) This condition would seem, the world has come full circle and renewed vigor
has clearly been met He further states that "false Christs is given to Saint John's inspired description of the
and false prophets" must appear. (Matt. 24:24) Today, false Incarnation: "In Him was life, and the life was the light of
Christs, precursors of the Anti-Christ, abound (for example, men. And the light shineth in the darkness, and the darkness
Sun Myung Moon, Jim Jones, Meher Baba, Maharaj Ji, did not comprehend it … That was the true light, which
Menachem Schneerson, Yahweh ben Yahweh). "Men will enlighteneth every man that cometh into this world. He was
become lovers of self… ," writes Saint Paul, "blasphemers, in the world, and the world was made by Him, and the world
disobedient to parents, … without kindness, lovers of knew Him not" (John 1:4-5, 9-10) And even the reflected
pleasure more than of God." (2 Tim. 3:2-5) Is any light of the Savior, which is the Church, shines ever so dimly
illustration needed here? Saint Peter reveals that "deceitful since the betrayal by those sworn to lead her. It seems that on
scoffers, walking after their own lusts," will ridicule the all sides Satan has triumphed but, eventually, as in his
Second Coming." (2 Peter 3:3-4) Not only is this heard but rebellion before the earth was formed, will be his
even taught by some Conciliar "theologians," who have downfall. In the end, the Sacred and Immaculate Hearts will
revived the Modernist error that this and other miracles of prevail. While patiently awaiting that glorious day, traditional
Christ are only symbolic manifestations of the believer's Catholics must, as the forces of evil are now ascendant, be
inner religious experience. more assertive as part of the Church Militant. "Put you on the
Again, Christ asks His Apostles if they believe when He armour of God, that you may be able to stand against the
returns "shall He find … faith on earth?" (Luke 18:8) This is deceits of the devil. For our wrestling is not against flesh and
an extraordinary question when it is compared to such blood; but against principalities and powers, against the
affinnative statements as those prophesying that the Gospel rulers of this world of darkness, against the spirits of
would be preached throughout the world and that "the gates wickedness in the high places." (Eph. 6: 11-12) t
THE ATHANASIAN 4 DECEMBER 1, 1992
Sin: The Ultimate Evil
ome 42 years ago Pope Pius XII made the observation Regrettably, some do not One example would be the
that~ great tragedy of his day was that the world conditions necessary for the commission of mortal sin.
had lost its sense of venial sin. A great tragedy indeed, that Because mortal sin is a serious offense against God or
man was no longer sensitive to or even perhaps conscious a grave violation of the law of God, it is essential that
of his less serious violations of the moral law of God. But we know what those conditions are. There are,
the moral climate that prevailed in that era to which Pope objectively speaking, enough mortal sins without our
Pius XII was referring was of high quality compared to that creating our own through ignorance of the moral
of our present time. Today multitudes of people have lost teaching of the Church. And yet, how many there are
their sense all sin, mortal as well as venial. And that is who, because they are not rightly informed, think this
not merely "a great tragedy" but it may well be the or that is a grave sin when, in fact, the Church says
supreme tragedy of our day. otherwise – or they suppose a particular matter is a
venial or less serious sin which, given the three
But why is this so extreme a misfortune, the loss on the conditions for such, is actually a mortal sin. While we
part of countless individuals of their sense of sin? Because are obliged to follow the dictates of our conscience, we
sin is the ultimate evil and, in the final analysis, the only have a prior obligation to form a correct conscience,
real evil because it alone offends God and has eternal that is, one in harmony with the moral doctrine of the
consequences. This is God's world and, if we are to play Church. If a person does not know that doctrine, then
our proper part in it, then we must humbly acknowledge his conscience will be a distorted or erroneous one in
His supreme dominion over us and live our lives in its moral judgments. Every Roman Catholic, then, has
accordance with His will. If we do not, if we ignore Him the serious duty to form and to have a correct
and flout His moral law, if we live as though He did not conscience on moral matters.
exist and as though there were no Heaven or hell – if, in a
word, God is a more or less nonentity for us and man is the 2. While venial sin is a less serious offense against
measure of all things (secular humanism) – then it is the God, it is an offense against God, an infraction of His
height of foolishness on our part to expect that the law, a violation of His will. If a person, while
Almighty will not one day demand retribution for our concerned about avoiding mortal sin, commits venial
defiance of Him. God is all-merciful, yes, but He is likewise sins habitually and with abandon, that individual will
all-just and, while it is beyond our finite minds fully to eventually fall into mortal sin. If one completely
reconcile these two concepts, we seriously err in disregards less serious offenses against God in his
concentrating on God's infinite mercy to the virtual daily life, his sense or consciousness of the nature of
exclusion of His perfect justice, and vice versa. sin is gradually dulled so that, little by little, he is ever
more disposed to rationalize and compromise with
God created all men for Heaven and Christ died for the grave sin. Nor can a person advance in virtue nor
salvation of all. Almighty God condemns no one to hell .. No make any real progress in the spiritual life who does
one is eternally lost unless it be through his own not have a vivid awareness of the immorality of venial
unrepented grave fault. Such is the teaching of the Roman sin which is, after all, the second greatest evil in the
Catholic Church. As Saint Augustine put it, "God made us world. Surely there is not a saint in Heaven who took
without us but He will not save us without us." venial sin lightly throughout his earthly sojourn. And
we are all called to be saints, are we not? In fact, no
Since the doctrine of the Church on sin is found in detail one attains Heaven unless and until he becomes one.
in any advanced traditional catechism, there is no need to
present that material here. However, a few points might 3. Sin is an entirely personal and subjective thing in
well be noted: the sense that only an individual can commit or be
guilty of it It involves the mind and the will and so an
1. Every Roman Catholic has the obligation to individual is guilty of sin only when, in some fashion,
know his religion and that includes the subject of sin. he knowingly and willingly offends God or violates
THE ATHANASIAN 5 DECEMBER 1, 1992
moral law. One cannot commit a sin by accident. difference. If we look upon it react to it from the
Nor can a person be guilty of sin after fact, perspective of spiritual and the supernatural and the
is, a person is not held accountable before God for eternal, suffering is a blessing. If we view it as an evil (to be
sin if, at the time of its occurrence, that person was avoided, if possible; otherwise, to be reluctantly, perhaps
in total good faith and completely unaware of any resentfully, endured), then it is a curse.
immorality. There is, of course, no such thing as
"God made us to know Him, to love Him and to serve Him
society being guilty of sin. Just as lifeless guns don't
in this world and thereby to be happy with Him forever in
kill people but rather people kill people; so also
Heaven." In that one sentence from the Baltimore
abstract society doesn't commit sin but rather people
Catechism there is stated the entire purpose of life. From
commit sin.
this it follows that moral evil or sin is the only real evil in
Because, then, it is a serious offense against God, because the world for sin alone is offensive to God and sin alone
it is a grave violation of the law of God, because it destroys can prevent us from attaining the end for which God
the life of divine grace in the soul, because a person who created us: the eternal and perfect happiness of Heaven
dies in unrepented mortal sin is destined to suffer for all where "eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither hath it
eternity both the loss of the Beatific Vision of God entered into the heart of man, what things God hath
(Heaven) and the indescribable torment of hell – for such prepared for them that love Him."(I Cor. 2:9) "… the
reasons mortal sin is the greatest evil in the world. sufferings of the present time are not worthy to be
compared with the glory to come …" (Rom. 8: 18) t
Suffering is one of the consequences of original sin.
Because the desire to be happy is a part of human nature,
because no one in his right mind seeks unhappiness for its
own sake, suffering of one kind or another – that is, the
absence of happiness – is described as evil and is so
considered by the generality of mankind. Yet suffering, Pray the Rosary Daily
although it may become an occasion of evil or sin
(resentment, despair, self-pity, etc.) is not in itself an evil.
If it were, would Christ have preached the necessity of
suffering for those who would be followers of Him? Would The enclosed white envelope is for the convenience of those
He have endured the excruciating agony of Calvary if who may wish to send a donation to the TCA. If a blue envelope
suffering were evil? Did not the saints and martyrs actually is also enclosed, that is to be used for subscription renewal.
seek pain and trials and tribulations? In fact, Holy
Scripture tells us that the disciples rejoiced "that they were
accounted worthy to suffer reproach for the name of
Jesus." (Acts 5:41) SUBSCRIPTON RENEWALS
Suffering, then, of whatever kind and however intense and The date on the envelope address label indicates the
prolonged it may be, is not, in or of itself, an evil. On the month and year in which the recipient's subscription
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envelope will be enclosed with the newsletter. One may
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enter a new subscription at any time, of course, and
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word, it is one's attitude toward suffering that makes all the
THE ATHANASIAN
Published by Traditional Catholics of America
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Articles appearing in this newsletter may be reproduced providing no changes of any kind are made in those articles and adequate credit is given to
The Athanasian for them. The adequate credit preferred would be the inclusion with the articles reproduced of the infonnation contained in this box.
ught We To Pray?
Fr. Oswald Baker (England)
I n Newman's classic definition of a gentleman, one re-
quirement is that "he seldom speaks of himself
He was explicit and emphatic. "Ask and you shall receive."
He told parables which encouraged prayer of asking. Then
except when compelled." Speaking too much of self is the what about souls who decline to make any specific
second worst fault in conversation. The worst is talking requests, and leave all decisions to God's good pleasure?
too much other people. Conversation is an art Correctly understood, the attitude is lawful. Correctly
which has to learned, It is not learned overnight We intended, it is praiseworthy. "Not my will but thine be
must be to take initiative but try to be a good done" is the conclusion of the most intense prayer
listener, not to monopolize conversation and know when recorded in the life of Christ Such complete trust in God
it is time to change the subject. We must not be boring, and entire submission of our will to His is assuredly
prattling on at the mental level of a child of six. We must commendable. Correctly formed, such a disposition will be
keep our stories tolerably brief. Being an accomplished the outcome of an intimate union between a soul and God.
conversationalist is a valuable form of charity and can give But it has its dangers. It could be a kind of protective
much joy. We have not learned to converse merely by apparatus – never ask for anything and you will never be
having learned to talk. Proficiency in each is acquired by disappointed. Or it could be an occasion of conceit, in the
practice, by perseverance and by imitation. feeling that one is superior to those who bother God with
their petty requests.
Prayer is talking with God, an art with its rules and to be
likewise learned by practice, perseverance and imitation. The closer our union with Our Lord, the better and more
This is one of the many benefits of reading the lives of the effective our prayer. The effective value of any prayer lies
saints. A spirit and habit of prayer were common to all not in the help of consolation it brings but in the degree of
the saints. Saint Alphonsus Ligouri, "Doctor of prayer" love it contains. Deep love needs few words, and they will
and patron of moral theologians and confessors, wrote: be spontaneous. Pray: Jesus, Light of the World, be my
"Those who are saved are saved because they prayed. light. Let Thy Heart inflame my heart May Thy Passion
Those who are lost are lost because they did not pray." strengthen and console me. Let Thy words saturate my
Real prayer and sin are totally incompatible. Our Lord mind. May Thy grace always guide me, Thy will ever rule
insists that we must pray, and pray unceasingly. Everyone me, Thy wisdom teach me, Thy holiness form me, Thy
having the use of reason must pray. Simply to "say humility perfect me, Thy generosity inspire me, Thy mercy
prayers" can have a merely tranquilizing effect, and this encourage me, Thy peace remain always in me.
falls far short of the real purpose of prayer. Prayer is
gathering ourselves up inwardly to God. The essence of All prayer should be rooted in affection for Our Lord. We
prayer is being with God, living close to God, occasionally should try to say the Litany of the Holy Name, for
raising heart and mind to God, referring to God whatever example, or the Litany of the Sacred Heart, as our
we are doing. God is the perfect listener. Blessed Mother would say them. No heart ever belonged
to God more ardently than the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
Is it better to make particular requests to God, to ask for She should be the constant companion of our prayer. If
objects of our good desires, or should we refrain from we live in union with Mary, she will draw our whole being
petitions, in the conviction that God knows best and that towards God, detach and withdraw us from the world,
the decision on what He sends is therefore best left to His form in us a love of chastity and a spirit of poverty,
Wisdom and Goodness? When replying to the request of ensure our interior serenity, peace of conscience and
"Lord, teach us how to pray," Our gave elevation of mind. She will keep us yearning for God and
Father, a prayer of requests through. delights of Heaven. t
7 DECEMBER 1, 1992
CAPSU TS
Fr. Francis E. Fenton
Of the numerous periodicals of national circulation with anywhere else, can possibly accomplish anything – for
which I am familiar, there are some seven or eight which good, that is – in relation to the Fatima message.
are more or less conservative, quasi-traditional
publications aligned with the Conciliar Church and t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t
recognizing John Paul II as a valid Pontiff. However well-
intentioned their editors and writers may be, all of them, As militant godlessness and moral decadence become
I contend, do incalculable harm in varying degrees to ever more prevalent on the American scene, what was in
authentic traditional Catholicism, which is today large part formerly concealed is now becoming more and
sedevacantism. Were I to single out any one of them as more a very obvious reality – and that is an intense
being the prime culprit in this category of publications to hatred for the Roman Catholic Church. Examples of this
which I refer, I would say that it is The Fatima Crusader abound at the present time. Which prompts the question:
of Father Nicholas Gruner. Despite the manifestly Is martyrdom a distinct possibility down the road for
conclusive evidence that John Paul II is a bogus Pope (to traditional Roman Catholics? I think it is. (Imagine
say nothing of the key part he is playing in the formation anyone making the supreme sacrifice of his life in
of the One World "Religion"), The Fatima Crusader testimony to the Conciliar Church!)
goes on and on about "our Holy Father" and "His
Holiness" and its fidelity to him. Since John Paul II is no t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t
more the Vicar of Christ than I am, the result is that
multitudes of people are being misled by Father Gruner There are presently some 320,000 Soviet military in East
in what is one of the most (if not the most) vital matters Germany, some 120,000 in Latvia and tens of thousands
of our day, namely, the stark truth about John Paul II. in Poland, Lithuania, Estonia and elsewhere. So much for
(Since one-half million copies of the latest issue of The the alleged demise of Communism.
Fatima Crusader were printed as compared to a thousand
t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t
copies of the current issue of The Athanasian, I don't
expect that these observations will accomplish much –
And then there is thatfellow who ran in a primary for the U.S.
but who knows?)
House of Representatives in one of the congressional
t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t districts in Minnesota. He did no campaigning and he had no
campaign fund. Despite this, he garnered some 22 percent of
In line with the above item, a World Bishops' Peace the vote. So? Well, you see, during the time that the primary
Conference sponsored by The Fatima Crusader was held was in progress the candidate was a prison inmate!
at Fatima, October 8-12. A significant number of bishops
were expected to be present In a letter (dated August 13, t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t
1992) to John Paul II, Father Gruner invited "His
Holiness" to attend. "We know," he wrote, "that your This issue of The Athanasian marks ;the completion 13
Paternal heart desires nothing so much as peace for all years of its publication. How much we may have
mankind." Really! As of this writing (November 10), I do accomplished over that span of time for the . honor and
not know what transpired at the Conference but I am very glory of God and for the preservation and promotion of
sure that nothing much will result. It's simply not our precious Faith, He alone knows. We have tried to do
conceivable to me that a gathering of heretical bishops of our best though and, by the grace of God, we will continue
the non-Catholic Conciliar Church, at Fatima or to do so. t
THE ATHANASIAN 8 DECEMBER 1, 1992