Bringing Light and Consolation in These Dark and Confusing Times
Ireland Needs Fatima Campaign Update
2008 was our most active year to date, with more than 850,000 flyers on the Rosary distributed throughout the country. That is about half the households of Ireland. Our book: The Rosary, Great Weapon of the 21st Century has already reached a circulation of 15,000, with over 40,000 of the booklet version distributed in the past two years.
Meanwhile there is renewed interest in the Message of Fatima as many of the events foretold by Our Lady in 1917 seem to be unfolding before our eyes. She said: “Russia will spread its errors throughout the world, promoting wars and persecutions of the Church. The good will be martyred; the Holy Father will have much to suffer and many nations will be annihilated.” 18,500 copies of our book on Fatima have been distributed, bringing light and consolation to many people in these dark and confusing times.
The Lisbon Treaty, with its European Charter of Fundamental Rights, forced us to act in order to defend our country from the further moral decline that would be imposed on us if the treaty had been accepted.
We were pleasantly surprised to find that our 2009 calendar was so popular that we had to get two print re-runs to satisfy demand. A total of 25,000 copies were printed.
Please pray that this year will be even more productive in the cause of Our Lady.
Reflections on the Resurrection
By Plinio Corrêa de Oliveira
Upon entering Jerusalem, we recall that here rested Our Lord Jesus Christ in a closed sepulchre, penetrated by neither air nor light, His Sacred Body disfigured by wounds.Wrapped in the Holy Shroud, Our Lord lies in utter darkness, reduced to isolated inertia and death. In the seeming hopelessness of the sepulchre, the triumph of the synagogue appears complete.
After two days, a ray of light penetrates the darkness, and then another, and yet another, as the angels manifested their presence. The heavy stone that guards the sepulchre cannot keep these pure spirits from entering. The angelic choir gathers and fills the empty silence with heaven’s songs.
Suddenly, the sacred body stirs, as Our Lord raises Himself from the slab on which He lies and from death itself. He had been in limbo, where He consoled the just with the Good News that the hour of their redemption was at hand. We may well imagine their joy and adoration as they welcomed their Redeemer!
As His Divine soul reanimates His mortal body, each wound shines with the sun’s brilliance. Christ’s crown of thorns is now a crown of light.
Our Lord commands thestone to depart, and the sun streams in, dispelling the tomb’s darkness as the Son vanquishes the despair of death in His eternal triumph.
*****
Someone approaches. She is running. It is Mary Magdalen, and she is still weeping. Finding the sepulchre open with its stone rolled away and not a Roman guard in sight, she does not know what to think.
Seeing a man whom she mistakes for a gardener, she asks, “Where is Jesus?” He answers with a single word: “Mary.” The scales fall from her eyes, and she responds, “Rabboni!” which means “Master.”
However, Our Lord, whose glorious body can move faster than any rocket, is no longer there. He is in the Cenacle, where Mary Most Holy has retired to weep for her Son in the semi-darkness.
Suddenly, Christ enters radiantly. She is not mistaken as Mary Magdalen was for she is His mother after all.
Let us recall Jesus’ last gaze at His Mother from the Cross’ infinite height. She is the last person He sees before He closes His eyes in death. It is a look of love that the world has never known – the love of God for His Holy Mother.
Imagine then the first glance exchanged between Mother and Son after the Resurrection, as the deepest sadness becomes the greatest joy!
In an instant, He returns to Mary Magdalen, for glorified, He is no longer limited to time and space.
*****
He appears here and there, speaking first with this disciple, then with that disciple. Only at the Final Judgment will we know all those to whom Christ spoke, giving courage and counsel, as He prepared His Church for the battles to come.
The hour of Ascension is at hand. Jesus walks to the Mount of Olives accompanied by His mother and the Apostles. Theirs is not a simple farewell. They hang on each word of His teaching with rapt attention.
If Our Lord’s Transfiguration on Mount Tabor had left the Apostles awestruck, we can imagine how He must appear at the moment of His Ascension. As Jesus speaks, His body gradually begins to rise. He knows that He is rising to Heaven, but it is so natural, so proper and so normal for Him to ascend that at first, His Apostles might see it as simply another example of His glorification. However, at a certain moment, He is so high that they realize, “He is leaving us now!” And thus, the Risen Lord ascends into the glory of Heaven.
The Lisbon Treaty revisited
In the wake of last year’s referendum on the Treaty of Lisbon, the whole world, and especially the Europhile academia tried to figure out why this nation of superstitious peasants couldn’t just do what we were told and vote “Yes.” Our media and the opposition parties blamed the government, as if the government could have done any more to force people to vote yes. Meanwhile the government blamed the lack of education of the voters on the subject. But in reality the failure of the “Yes” side can be traced to the treaty itself.
The treaty was much too complex and obscure; open to too many possible interpretations; and contained too many unrelated factors to be approved with a single vote. One could entirely agree with some parts of the treaty and totally disagree with other parts of it. In this case what is one to do? The obvious thing is to vote No if any part of the treaty is completely unacceptable.
Notwithstanding the many promises that Ireland’s position would be secure on such issues as abortion, people were not convinced that the European Court of Justice would always interpret the treaty in accordance with such promises.
Furthermore, including the European Charter of Fundamental Rights is neither necessary nor desirable in a treaty that “is just about making Europe more efficient” – as we were so often told was the purpose of Lisbon. The charter does nothing to further the efficiency of Europe, while it gives cause for concern, and even suspicion, given the social agenda that is more and more clearly promoted by EU institutions. Therefore including the charter is an invitation to a much greater public to vote No.
Many voters were dissatisfied that no other country in Europe held a referendum. This fact could not but convince the people that the Lisbon Treaty was undemocratic. After all, isn’t it a contradiction to suggest that the EU could impose enhanced democracy with an iron fist? If our No vote could be seen as a protest vote, it was a protest against the other 26 governments of Europe who did not consult their electorates on the issue. It is certain that the No vote was influenced by the lack of referendums elsewhere in Europe.
Finally, the real Achilles heel of the Treaty of Lisbon was its failure to acknowledge God and the Christian roots of Europe. This omission alienated a large block of voters in Ireland, as dedicated and educated Catholics can now be expected to vote in accordance with their faith and conscience rather than taking the cue from their political, or even their religious, leaders.
And now we are going to be offered another chance to vote Yes. Nothing essential will be changed – maybe a little bit of window dressing here and there – but the treaty will still be the same, and the Charter of Fundamental rights will still be the same.
One of the great things about voting No is that, if we so decide, we can be sure that we will get a chance to change our minds again in the future – as happened with the Nice Treaty, and is now happening with the Lisbon Treaty.
On the other hand, if we vote Yes, be sure that we won’t be given an option to change our minds about that in the future. Remember the Single European Act, the Maastricht Treaty and the Amsterdam Treaty? Did we get a chance to change our minds? Voting No is keeping our options open – a wise thing to do in these uncertain times.
Most Irish people are proud to be European. The Europe that inspires us with such pride is one made up of Christian nations living in harmony and mutual cooperation, each with its own distinct culture and customs, and united by our Christian Faith. Europe has a rich heritage inseparable from Christian civilisation. It is this same Christian Europe that attracts millions of non-European visitors every year and that has the admiration of most of the world. As long as the EU fears to acknowledge its Christian roots – which are the very foundations of Europe, and without which Europe is nothing – it is doomed to failure.
Divine Providence never goes bankrupt
Extracts from an article by Prof. Roberto de Mattei, written to cast light on the current international economic crisis, published in Radici Cristiani. (www.radicicristiani.it)
The wave of the American financial crisis sweeps over Europe and is the basis of discussions on the future of the worldwide economy. Some see in it the failure of the ideology of the market and the fulfilment of the prophecies of the end of capitalism. Others, confiding in the capacity of the market to regulate itself, consider it as a physiological crisis which will bring about a natural readjustment of prices.
The solutions to the crisis, according to either viewpoint, will come from within the existing economic system, based on an economic philosophy that oscillates between the two models of pure libertarianism and state interventionism. And since neither the individual nor the State, nor the private sector nor the public sector, have the capacity to save the situation, in order to compensate for the inadequacy of the two systems a “third way” is being suggested, characterised by the presence among the elements – State and market – the idea that only the dosage of the ingredients needs to change.
The idea of overcoming the crisis through an appropriate balance between public and private economy, between economic regulation and individual liberty, is illusory insofar as it doesn’t go to the root of the problem. We attempt to hold on to a system vitiated to its roots, when we should leave the mechanism and understand the necessity of founding the economy on a factor that is separate from the economy itself.
The economy, in fact, like politics or any other human science, cannot be considered as autonomous and self-regulating. Man does not have a lurality of ends and society, which is for the service of the common good of mankind, cannot have a multiplicity of separate “sciences” without a common end. Man and society, in all their expressions, have a unique supernatural end, God Himself, on which depends not only our eternal and absolute happiness in Heaven, but also our relative and imperfect happiness on Earth. (…)
In reality, if freedom is not absolute, the limit should be understood as a positive factor, which facilitates development and perfection. Thus the limit is not an obstacle, but the means to attain the goal. However, in the economic field, it is not the State that should impose rules and limits, but Divine and natural law with their precepts which regulate every field of human activity. The true moral freedom of man, or the only limit to his sychological freedom, consists in not violating the Ten Commandments.
Economic science is not able, by itself, to solve economic problems, because it is founded upon an unrealistic conception of man, viewing him as a mere homo oeconomicus deprived of his supernatural end.
“The Word of God is the foundation of everything, it is the true reality,” affirmed Benedict XVI, October 5th, 2008, speaking at the opening of the Synod of Bishops, “and to be realistic” added the Pope, “we must rely upon this reality. (…)
The return to reality, both natural and supernatural, is the first step to getting out of the present crisis. This crisis is not only economic: it is political, cultural, moral, and in the end, essentially religious. To understand that and to act accordingly is the only way to prevent the present storm from soon becoming a devastating hurricane.
God remains the foundation of every reality. The big banks may collapse, but Divine Providence, as St. Giuseppe Cottolengo affirmed, never goes bankrupt.
Ambiences, Customs and Civilisations
Is the Guardian Angel Less Intelligent than the Demon?
By Plinio Corrêa de Oliveira
The Church teaches that God created angels vastly superior to man. Pure spirits possessing a most lucid intelligence and great power, they surpass by nature even the most gifted of men. As a consequence of their revolt, the fallen angels lost their virtue, but not their intelligence or power. In accord with His Divine Providence, God restrains their activity. However, they remain far superior to man, by nature.
Accordingly, the Church always approved artists’ depictions of the demon as an intelligent, shrewd, astute and powerful being, although full of malice in all his designs. She even sanctions his portrayal as a creature with captivating charms, reflecting the qualities that the spirit of darkness exploits to disguise himself so that he may seduce men.
Our first picture is an example of such a representation of the demon. Diabolical and shrewd, astute with a penetrating psychology and full of guile, the demon suggests, in a beguiling manner, thoughts of perdition to slumbering Dr. Faust. This is the classical depiction of the devil. We can hardly imagine him otherwise.
However, how are faithful angels portrayed today?
They are shown as well-intentioned, happy and innocent beings. This is in conformance with their eminent sanctity, blessedness, and purity.
Nevertheless, such depictions lack proper balance by emphasizing the goodness and purity of the faithful angels, while failing to convey their admirable intelligence, strength and majesty. Instead, they are often painted as weak creatures with no hint of courage.
Our second picture shows a child crossing a wobbly bridge. A guardian angel is protecting her.
Naturally, the idea of a child continuing her carefree walk lovingly guarded by a celestial Prince is quite touching. Still, if we pay closer attention to this prince, especially his countenance, does he not lack the strength, intelligence, acuteness, and agility proper to angelic nature, as present in every portrayal of the Prince of Darkness?
Examine the body of the good angel in the painting. Observe the soft, unintelligent and slackened attitude. Compare it to the lithe agility and alertness of the demon.
Could the contrast be any sharper?
Does it make sense?
By insistently representing the demon as intelligent, lively and capable; and the good angel as soft, expressionless and almost foolish, what impression is conveyed to the public? One impression is that the practice of virtue results in creatures lacking in backbone and sense, while, on the contrary, vice is the practice of powerful and intelligent beings.
Thus we see yet another example of the deception which romanticism continues to exercise profoundly over many religious ambiences.
(Catolicismo, no 41, May 1954)
Our Readers Write
- Your book on the Rosary is beyond comparison. The pictures are lovely, inspiring, holy.
LQ, Co. Derry - This (calendar) was a beautiful Surprise. I cried when I opened the envelope. I never received anything so nice. I love the Blessed Virgin.
BK, Co. Tipperary - I love getting your calendar. The pictures are so beautiful that I can’t throw them out at the end of the year. I still have your calendar from 2007.
CW, Co Tipperary - You don’t even have to open the calendar. The photo of Our Lady of Fatima on the front tells it all. Just look at her face. It tells us how much she loves us and how much she cares. Look at those eyes. How could you not love this Mother?
PL, Co. Antrim - I feel very confident that societies like Irish Society for Christian Civilisation will bring back the Faith and Morals of our country.
SB, Co. Roscommon - The beautiful pictures and meditations (in the Rosary book) are reflective and inspiring. It really is excellent material for praying and meditating the Rosary. My mother and I use it every day.
AF, Co. Galway
Forgotten Truths
Love Crosses, Not With an Emotional Love, but With Rational and Supernatural Love
God does not ask you to love the Cross with the will of the flesh. Since the flesh is the subject of evil and corruption, all that proceeds from it is evil and it cannot, of itself, submit to the will of God and His crucifying law. It was this aspect of His human nature which Our Lord referred to when He cried out in the Garden of Olives, “Father, . . . notMy will but Thine be done” (Luke 22:42). If the lower powers of Our Lord’s human nature, though holy, could not love the Cross without interruption, then, with still greater reason will our human nature, which is very much vitiated, repel it. At times, like many of the saints, we too may experience a feeling of even sensible joy in our sufferings, but that joy does not come from the flesh though it is in the flesh. It flows from our superior powers, so completely filled with the divine joy of the Holy Ghost, that it spreads to our lower powers. Thus a person who is undergoing the most unbearable torture is able to say, “My heart and my flesh have rejoiced in the living God” (Ps. 83:3).
An excerpt from Saint Louis de Montfort, Friends of the Cross (Bay Shore, New York: Monfort Publications, 1995).
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