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THE ATHANASIAN A publication of Traditional Catholics of America + Editor: Fr. Francis E. Fenton, STL + Volume XIII, No. 8 + 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 Tr the previous issue of this newsletter (October 15, 1992), eminent American Lodge scholar from the last century, writes of it this way in his Encyclopedia of Freemasonry: two key elements in the national decline were ex- amined: the official policy of religious indifferentism and “Its interest to the Masonic student arises from the fact that 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 the “Synagogue of Satan,” it is the international conspi interesting analogies with the Masonic system.” (No doubt!) racy 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; In the July 15, 1992 issue of The Athanasian app to the Hindu brother, it points to Krishna; to the Moslem, it eared an article, “Freemasonry: The Forgotten Enemy,” that docu- Points to Mahomet (Mohammed).” But it was a Methodist ments how a great deal of what is happening in politics minister and opponent of secret societies, Reverend C. and society today is in perfect harmony with the agendas Penny-Hunt, who may have summed it up best: pro- Posed by the Lodge decades ago. It may be used, theref “Freemasonry is simply Theosophy. It is the Perpetuation of ore, to cross-reference this article, particularly its third section the worship of the old pagan gods of ancient Egypt, Greece, which covers the connection between Masonry’s declared India, etc. …” objectives for the transformation of society and curren t 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 Freema : sonic “Is the devil the head of secret societies?” He begins intrigue is really necessary; however, as will be sho by wn citing the brazen plan proposed at a meeting of the Ital directly, the role of the Lodge in this Paganizing pro ian cess is Alta Vendita, governing center of European Masonry (the not at all a peripheral one but is at the very blackened hea se rt 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 have considerable control anymore is naive, to say the leas XVI); t. As befits a group bom and sustained in secrecy, the Lodge is “Our final end,” wrote one of the high dignit content to remain in the shadows while “Masons wit aries of hout that gloomy empire in 1819, “our final end is tha aprons” (those who carry out its aims without t of being Voltaire and the French Revolution, the annihilation members) are mistakenly seen as the instigators, ins tead of of Catholicity, and even of the Christian idea, foreve merely secondary agents of the movement, r.” This, then, is their object. Another will give a ske tch of In Masonry is to be found the cradle of modem their proceedings: “It is decided in our counci religious ls that indifferentism. Masons are free to believe in one god, ma we want no more Christians. Let us make no mar ny tyrs, gods, all gods, or no gods. While all religions, it tea but make vice popular among the masses. ches, are Let them valid expressions, it claims to have the ultimate breathe it through the five senses, Make hearts truth, vicious, Hence, while a Protestant version of the Bible is found and you will have no more Catholics.” If tha in t be not USS. lodges, those in India would be equipped with the diabolical language, what is? Veda, while Egyptian lodges carry the Koran. Christ is reduced to Diabolical indeed. What honest reader, survey the status of merely a teacher, no different from Kri ing the ruins shna or of society all about, can conclude otherwise Mohammed. It is revealing to read what the than that this Masons them- plot to “make vice popular” has been master fully carried out they in the present day? And it is well worth noting that this youth… it is upon the corruption of youth that was part of a two-pronged attack, the other part being the place all their hopes [italics added]. internal subversion of the Roman Catholic Church. ’s children Elsewhere in those foul papers can be found the Lodge’s Given the debased state of so many of the nation ths @ yearning for “‘a Pope according to our wants.” This will and teenagers, the fact that America’s future is in its you is hardly a pleasing thought. come about, “brother” Masons are instructed, by the son corruption of young seminarians, who will later have Pope Leo XIII spoke out often against “the deadly poi ated Positions of authority in the Church, and, when “You will circulating in the veins of human society.” In his celebr 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 its 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 raceful 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 the 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 firmly 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 formed, has been constituted by God, the unfortunate who must send their children to a the Author of nature… therefore it is clear that those Masonically-inspired public school, with its attendant who would absolve society from all religious duty paganizing influences: act not only unjustly but also with ignorance and folly. All those who endeavor to throw into confusion both Similarly, Pope Leo XIII writes that Freema religious and social affairs, to destroy the good order sonry seeks “the utter overthrow of that religious order of the of society, and to annihilate all Divine and human world which Christian teaching has Produced, and th rights, have always exerted all their criminal schemes, e substitution ofa new state of things according to their attention, and efforts upon the manner in which they own ideas, based on the principles and laws of pure Naturali might, above all, deprave and delude unthinking sm.” In the same let- ter, Pope Leo exposes the Masons’ desire to remove the

THE ATHANASIAN 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 close 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 But the Naturalists and Freemasons deny that our first devilish evil. This has led them to form dangerous alliances 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, felling 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 r 2) Anti-Christian Movement: legalizing abortion. Would that a new Saint Patrick emerge It is clear 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 brilliantly — if which accompany or result from the Christian regime shockingly — spelled out in a sentence from his 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 evils 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 (4) a reality in modern America? What is particularly upon earth.”

THE ATHANASIAN DECEMBER 1, 1992 no t tr iu mp h ov er Hi s Ch ur ch . Ye t, when the More and more over the years this statement has taken on of hell” would es en t si tu at io n is co ns id er ed , it ha s direct relevance, an almost prophetic dimension, as has been amply shown in pr mu ch as th os e wh o ho ld fas t to Ca th ol ic tradition have the preceding pages. The Athanasian has maintained a inso d to a re mn an t. He al so gi ve s as a sign “the policy consistent with the Church’s admonition that been reduce n of de so la ti on . .. st an di ng in th e ho ly place.” Catholics, ignoring the rash opinions of heretical sects, abominatio at t. 24 :1 5) Tw o ce nt ur ie s be fo re th e In carnation, a Syrian should exercise great prudence when considering the Last (M e worship of! idols Days. Such denominations as the Jehovah’s Witnesses and king profaned the Temple by introducing th ok place during the Seventh-Day Adventists have manifestly fulfilled Christ’s there. In 1986, a striking parallel to this to in Assisi when a prophetic description of “false prophets,” (Matt. 24:24-26) “Pope” John Paul II’s interfaith meeting 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 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 ll cry Finally, Saint Paul speaks of a time when the nations sha been written here about the Parousia (or Second Coming) “peace and security; then shall sudden destruction come and its attendant events. 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 stanto d 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 of globalism. 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, pride 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 affirmative 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) + ¢ THE ATHANASIAN DECEMBER 1, 1992 Sin: The Ultimate Evil

come 42 years ago Pope Pius XII made the observation Regrettably, some do not. One example would be the that a 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 of 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, ina 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 DECEMBER 1, 1992 His moral law. One cannot commit a sin by accident. difference. If we look upon it and react to it from the the Nor can a person be guilty of sin after the fact, that perspective of the spiritual and the supernatural and 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 immorality, There is, of course, no such thing as resentfully, endured), then it is a curse. Uy society being guilty of sin. Just as lifeless guns don’t “God made us to know Him, to love Him and to serve Him kill people but rather people kill people; so also in this world and thereby to be happy with Him forever in abstract society doesn’t commit sin but rather people Heaven.” In that one sentence from the Baltimore commit sin. Catechism there is stated the entire purpose of life. From 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 Suffering is one of the consequences of original sin. compared with the glory to come…” (Rom. 8:18) + 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 contrary, if one has a supernatural, truly Christian, Christ- is due for renewal. At the proper time, a subscription like attitude toward it, suffering is a positive good for by it envelope will be enclosed with the newsletter. One may we atone for sin, we merit divine grace, we please God. Ina enter a new subscription at any time, of course, and word, it is one’s attitude toward suffering that makes all the will then receive the eight following newsletter issues,

THE ATHANASIAN Published by Traditional Catholics of America Eight issues a year: (Jan. 15, Mar.1, Apr.15, June, July15, Sept.1, Oct. 15, Dec.1) Subscriptions: $12 per year (via Fist Clas Mai) forthe USA, Canada and Mexico; $16 per year (via Air Ma) forall other countries. Additional Copies: Single copy – $1.50; 10 copies- $12.00; 40 or more to same address – $1.00 each Mailing Address: P.0.Box 38335, Colorado Springs, CO. 80937 Telephone: (7 19) 636-1575 Articles appearing in this newsletter may be reproduced providing no changes of any kind are made in those articlesandadequate ‘The Athanasian for them. The adequate credit preferred would be the inclusion credit is given to with the articles ‘reproduced ofthe infformation contained in this box. How Ought We To Pray? Fr. Oswald Baker (England)

n Newman’s classic definition of a gentleman, one re- He was explicit and emphatic. “Ask and you shall receive.” I quirement is that “he seldom speaks of himself 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 about other people. Conversation is an art Correctly understood, the attitude is lawful. Correctly which has to be learned. It is not learned overnight. We intended, it is praiseworthy. “Not my will but thine be must be willing 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 Sathering 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 the Apostle, “Lord, teach us how to pray,” Our Lord gave elevation of mind. She will keep us yearning for God and them the Our Father, a prayer of requests all through. the delights of Heaven. +

THE ATHANASIAN DECEMBER 1, 1992 CAPSULE COMMENTS 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, thatis— in relation to the Fatima message. are more or less conservative, quasi-traditional publications aligned with the Conciliar Church and tote Sitch fit tt hath tity tei recognizing John Paul Il 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 TOP Ret aie tet ate te tate tet Tete t pei 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 Il. 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 Tadentiote tiatpiaitoshe tect ater taut Stitt othehecen copies of the current issue of The Athanasian, I don’t expect that these observations will accomplish much — but who knows?) And then there is that fellow who ran ina primary for the U.S. House of Representatives in one of the congressional Staite: cman ete tia testectestety te tactes tanticctiats 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, tt ttt tT to patetht tt tetot topes 1992) to John Paul Il, Father Gruner invited “His Holiness” to attend. “We know,” he wrote, “that your This issue of The Athanasian marks the completion of 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 hon or and not know what transpired at the Conference but I am very glory of God and for the preservation and Pro motion of sure that nothing much will result. It’s simply not our precious Faith, He alone knows. We hav e 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 todoso. +

THE ATHANASIAN: DECEMBER 1, 1992