Abbey-Roads2

Is there such a place?

News today is that the Holy Father has made no pronouncement of any new understanding of limbo, the place, or state, unbaptised infants go to. Here is the traditional teaching on it:

“Persons, such as infants, who have not committed actual sin and who, through no fault of theirs, die without baptism, cannot enter heaven; but it is the common belief they will go to some place similar to Limbo, where they will be free from suffering, though deprived of the happiness of heaven.” - Baltimore Catechism

The Catholic Church’s official catechism, issued in 1992 after decades of work, dropped the concept of limbo and says: “As regards children who have died without Baptism, the Church can only entrust them to the mercy of God … ” CCC

It has never been a defined dogma of the Church, albeit the traditional belief. The concept of limbo was one I was taught in school. Some saints held that it is actually a place on the “outskirts” of hell, while others have described it as a paradise separate from the beatific vision. An uber-Catholic I work with seems to prefer the place in hell concept, which fits in well with his fire and brimstone spirituality.

In the part of the creed wherein we profess “He descended into hell” it is commonly believed that it refers to Christ’s descent into limbo to free our first parents and the saints of the old testament. Some theologians, such as Hans Urs Von Balthazar believe Christ really did descend into actual hell - I can’t remember in which of his writings wherein he discusses that. I believe many Orthodox Catholics accept the same belief, as did the early Christians - although I could be mistaken. Nevertheless, it remains a matter of speculation to some degree.

Press reports claim that the Commission studying the subject, as well as the Holy Father will abolish the belief. I doubt that. You just don’t undo tradition to assuage the modern human sentiment that everyone must be saved, do you? Then what does, “He descended into hell” really mean? Of course some Orthodox legends have it that in the end, the Blessed Virgin will obtain the release of all the souls in hell as well, such mystical fantasies have never been taught in the Latin Church and are contrary to the faith.

As Cardinal Ratzinger, the Pope has said he believed the concept of limbo could possibly be set aside because it is “only a theological concept” and “never a defined truth of faith.” Nevertheless, this is a vastly different statement than saying it does not exist.

One ought not to depend upon the media for papal teachings.

Update: Gerald has a post from Asia News on the same subject.

What do you think when it comes to this feast? That it occurs in the “Month of the Holy Rosary” and that is why October is dedicated as such? It is a feast in thanksgiving for the victory of Christianity against the Turks at the Battle of Lepanto.

I have always found it significant that the last apparition at Fatima happened in October with the great miracle of the sun. The name ‘Fatima’ being the same as Mohammed’s daughter, hearkens back to the days when a large part of the Iberian peninsula was under the control of the Moors. I cannot help but think the purpose of Heaven has been to alert us to what is happening in our own day, with the conflict between Islam and the Christian West. It may be good to muse about these things and give the prayers of the Rosary greater place in our spiritual lives.

Presented here is an excellent homily for today’s feast from an English priest:

[snip] “On 7 October 1571 the forces of Christendom, under the command of Don Juan, defeated the Turks at Lepanto. The famous sea victory was attributed to the intercession of the Blessed Virgin because the Rosary had been recited both by the soldiers before battle and by many of the faithful in Rome. St Pius V instituted the Feast of Our Lady of Victories and, shortly afterwards, Gregory XIII changed this to Our Lady of the Rosary. In the early eighteenth century, following some further victories against the Turks, the Feast was extended throughout the Church. And so October became known as the month of the Holy Rosary.” [snip] -Roman Miscellany

“Pray the Rosary every day.” - Our Lady of the Rosary of Fatima

Pictured, a recent classic YSL design.

News today that Paris fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent, aged 70, collapsed today outside his Paris boutique during Fashion Week. (It is not known what his condition is at this time.) Gucci owns his label and I was surprised he was still active in design - not following the business since I’m no longer connected with ready-to-wear.

YSL was very hot in the late ’60’s and much of the ’70’s. Having started out at Dior, he developed his own line, known for elegance and beauty. He was the epitome of French design and elegance for a time, rivalling Coco Chanel’s innovative success. As Paris fashion declined in prominence, his designs retained a steady clientele and enduring reputation. He loved nightclubbing with various fashionistas of the jet set, and often dealt with problems associated with alcohol and drug abuse.

Here is something he noted concerning his retirement in 2002 regarding the fashion industry:

[snip] “He announced his retirement from the fashion industry after 40 years in 2002.
He revealed that his decision was based on a disgust with an industry that had become ruled more by commercial gain than art.

“I have nothing in common with this new world of fashion, which has been reduced to mere window-dressing,” he said.

“Elegance and beauty have been banished.” [snip]

Interesting comment, huh?

Painting, “Elizabeth II”

A few days ago I commented on Mrs. Bogle’s blog, with sincere questions, hoping to get a response in answer to my questions. (She could have told me to read a book on history.) Without ever insulting my intelligence, she very graciously and succinctly explained why the monarchy is valued in Britain. Thank you Mrs. Bogle! I copied and pasted her friendly response:

Joanna Bogle said…
Well, here goes….I’m terribly sorry that you were offended that I didn’t publish your comments or reply to you….but the system of comments on my blog doesn’t provide for my being able to send you a direct personal reply. I had to track down your blog via Google, so here I am!!

I have made clear on my blog that I honestly can’t get involved in lengthy discussions except on specific issues largely related to Catholicism…..The blog’s essentially a diary with Catholicism as its chief ideolgical component rather than any political issues. I like to steer the thing along those lines, and don’t want to get side-tracked into debates with Americans - however delightful and friendly! - who quite obviously will have a different approach on Monarchy and our Royal Family.

However, for what it’s worth, my comment goes like this:

America is a great and splendid nation, and one which has proved a blessing to many. It’s a joyful place to visit, too - there is a sense of purpose and of welcome which lifts the heart. But it certainly has its own version of an hereditary tradition within its political system: please don’t try to say that the Bushes and the Kennedys and so on don’t have hereditary power! The difference is just that: there is real power wielded by great families, rather as Britain had in its days of imperial authority. George Washington imposed his family’s coat of arms as the nation’s flag - no harm in that, and the flag has stood for prosperity and a decent way of life for millions, including those who arrived poor and hungry fleeing from real oppression and injustice.

In Britain, we have found - not without some travail, including a bitter civil war between monarchists and their opponents - that a Monarchy and Parliamentary democracy work extremely well. We have adapted to massive social change without the struggles that this entailed in America (the “civil rights” movement, etc) and the sense of community and family that is engendered by our monarchy and its associated heritage has served us admirably. We look with pity on those European nations - France as perhaps the supreme example, currently in its 5th Republic with probably more to follow - that lack the blessings of stability bestowed on us.

We don’t specially expect Americans to value our monarchy as we do, and we recognise the value of their own tradition: there are many among us who despise and reject the crude anti-Americanism that frequently sweeps Europe, and we are not unmindful of the poignant graves of young American soldiers and airmen who lie with honour in our Cambridgeshire countryside, and of the sacrifice of life they gave with generous hearts in a war that preserved our freedom.

When we speak our Queen, we don’t, actually, mostly think in soap-opera terms - which is why we have been distressed by Royal events of recent years - but of the ideal of nationhood embodied in an anointed monarch consecrated to public service in a tradition stretching back through millenia. It’s not an absurd idea, and we think it carries a quiet resonance at least as noble as anything that a larger republic can offer. What is likely to destroy it, tragically, is the loss of our nation’s Christian identity: we admire Americans for their stalwart adherence to a Faith that many in Britain now denounce or deny.

God Bless America!
And, in this small island with a large history: God save the Queen!
With warmest good wishes
Joanna Bogle

I’m such a brat, having coerced a response from this wonderful woman. Yet I’m delighted and impressed to have heard from her…and just a tad embarrassed that I betrayed my lack of intelligence regarding Monarchy.

From now on, when you may disagree with me, maybe take a lesson from Joanna Bogle on civility when commenting.

I like the Bogle’s!