30 Comments

Well THAT was a much needed blast of fresh air. I didn’t lose any sleep last night, and I woke up this morning feeling very cheerful. And you brilliantly described here so much better than anything I could scrawl as to why. Thank you!

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This is the most helpful thing I have read in ages. I cannot thank you enough for putting so well into words thoughts that have been jumbled in my mind. On one level, I have been quite angry and disturbed by this latest document, but I also had some odd sense of relief. I've felt that way a few times on different levels over different occurrences this past year, actually. It feels like a mighty shift is occurring, and, because everything is so horribly bad right now, the correction is going to be a doozy. Even so, it's got to happen. We'll never get out of this without it. I know that's true, even if, humanly speaking, it freaks me out.

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This post was for me the written form of the Godfather "You can act like a man!" scene. I had been down today, and I think this post is what I needed to get moving. Thank you.

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I have a slightly different take. Bergolio could barely hide his contempt for Christ in his document… and finally some bishops like the VP of the French conference of bishops who politely said Bergolio sounds extremely mean.

What if a conference of bishops (Hong Kong would be ideal first domino because it would undermine the deal negotiated by McCarrick and Parolin with the CCP in the most populous part of the world) announced that they’re reverting back to TLM full-time because they can’t figure out a standard expression of the Novus Ordo amid such a global patchwork. Should they celebrate mass like the dancing priest in NYC or bishop Tuco Fernandez in Argentina or Cardinal Marx in Munich and where does Patchamama fit in all this?

Bishops need to start documenting, juxtaposing and sharing on social media irreverent Novus Ordo clowns (dancing, baptizing babies with water guns, leaving church on a scooter, etc.) amid empty pews with reverent TLM priests in packed churches.

Bergolio wants a decentralized church to empower bishops. Fine. Now they must stiffen their spine, put on the armour of faith and join us in battle.

https://youtu.be/ShJ5KD0pjng

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Oh, how I want this to be my own attitude! yet, "where Peter is, there is the Church." I can't leave Peter, no matter how absolutely mistaken he is or how cruel or misguided I think he is. I agree that now things are more real. One has only to get familiar with the Old Mass (and by extension the Old Faith) to see how very, very different and how very bleached and amputated the New Mass is -- they aren't really two forms of one thing; they're two different things. Recognizing this is good. But if we firmly believe in following Jesus, then we have to follow the shepherd His church gives us, even if we appear to be going farther away from the water of life. It's a complete puzzle, and one I am praying to navigate properly.

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I am pleased to share your joy in having clarity forced upon us. Being 73 I have waited a long time for this and I see it as a sign that the BVM is starting to make her move. With heaven now providing a clear choice we must realize that a great deal of suffering is coming . The side we must align ourselves with has been made clear so that we can hold fast and get through with confidence. We will know why we are suffering and to be able to participate in the sufferings of our Savior should fill us with fervor .

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I think you're profoundly wrong, Hilary. The abyss between pre- and post-Vatican II that you are carving out and deepening will only make Pope Francis and like-minded bishops double down and say "I told you so - about these rebellious and divisive rad trads!" I and many others continue to adhere to what you call the "comforting, sweet, soothing lies", and the "nonsensical . . . meaningless, heretical gibberish of 'hermeneutic of continuity.'" Indeed, from now on, more than ever, that will be the only realistic way forward. Fr. Brian Harrison, O.S.

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The only way out is through.

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Such a provocative post, Hilary. These past days I've been mulling over the Ascension when blessed prophets and holy people accompanied Christ , and wondering what ccomposed their "Christian" life - just in case it comes to that, as you spelled out, i.e. living without the Mass perhaps for the best part of a year. It may not be right now but likely we are heading that way. We are part of the Mystical Body of Christ and while we can say we are part of every Mass that takes place, we by looks of it, cannot content ourselves with spiritually assisting at Masses where we are not present. History is full of Catholics living without Mass for years on end. Being part of a group still seems essential. Why wouldnt the sspx be the next best option? louise

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