Abbey-Roads2

In the apparitions of 1917, Our Lady of Fatima foretold that the Holy Father would have much to suffer.  Jacinta had a vision (apart from the apparitions) wherein she saw the Holy Father suffering and praying at a table with thousands of suffering people behind him - Lucia cautioned Jacinta not to speak of it because it related to the Third Secret.

After the release of the Third Secret, many understood that the Bishop dressed in white was in reference to John Paul II, yet the Vatican indicated that it also referred to all of the Popes of the 20th century - who had much to suffer - perhaps few suffered as Pius XII - even posthumously.

Today a book has come out, describing a plot by Hitler to kidnap Pius XII - which, by the way, should help put an end to the lies, originating from the former Soviet Union, that he was Hitler’s Pope.  Catholic News Service has the story, an excerpt here:

“An SS general close to Adolf Hitler foiled a plot to kidnap Pope Pius XII during World War II and to put the Vatican and its treasures under Nazi control, according to a new book.

The book, “A Special Mission” by Dan Kurzman, refutes arguments that Pope Pius XII maintained a public silence about Nazi actions during World War II because he was anti-Semitic or because he was sympathetic toward Hitler.” - Catholic News Service

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 (Photo credit: Hallowed Ground Blog.  These photos remind me of Bl. Jacinta’s vision, as the prie dieu resembles a small table.)

Sgt. Pepper was released!  Gosh!  40 years ago today. 

Before the release of this album, I pretty much began to lose interest in the Beatles, figuring they were more or less a “girls” band because of the hysteria their concerts generated.  Their movie, “A Hard Days Night” seemed a bit slick - too manufactured and silly for me.  Then Sgt. Pepper came out.  Just in time for the summer of love!  It changed everything.  The Beatles were beyond cool again - nothing like this had ever been done before - they had revolutionized rock. 

(S)he’s leaving home.

The song, “She’s leaving home” pretty much resonated wth me, because I had left home that year - mid-senior year to be exact.  (Yes, it is 40 years since I graduated from high school as well.)  It was also the last time I went to confession (not to return until 1972), after a priest told me I would go to hell if I continued the way I was going.  I walked out. 

Ah!  So many memories.

When you are found out.

When you’re down and they’re counting
When your secrets all found out
When your troubles take to mounting
When the map you have leads you to doubt
When there’s no information
And the compass turns to nowhere that you know well - Sting

Have you ever been embarrassed at being caught in a lie?  Or worse, someone witnessed you committing a sin?  While the one who witnessed it - or found out about it, told others?  Or if you may have led a sinful life in the past, yet repented and now try to live a devout life, have you ever felt bad that people don’t realize you are really a good person?  Sometimes, especially if your reputation precedes you, people may be stand-offish, or continue to mistrust you, or continue to discuss your past - anything but esteem you.

That happened to St. Margaret of Cortona.  She was mistrusted and had to wait about three years before the Franciscan Fathers would even consider admitting her to the Third Order of St. Francis.  (Her own family and friends never did accept her back.)  Later she was accused of falling back into a sinful life, though she hadn’t.  Many saints were accused of sins they didn’t commit.  On the other hand, saints like Angela of Foligno wanted everyone to know about her sins.

Pride and prejudice.

Nevertheless, pride sometimes inclines us to seek just a little bit of honor and praise for our turning from sin to grace.  Or at least, it inclines us to desire that we receive the same respect and esteem as anyone else is due.  We can’t bear to have people misunderstand us, we want to be liked and appreciated - it is in our nature to desire this acceptance, and not simply pride.

Most of us have heard that others have criticised us at one time or another, some of us may have been the object of calumny, gossip, and even scorn and contempt.  Our nature bristles against it - we immediately desire to defend ourselves and demand the respect we deserve.  It is extremely difficult to bear criticism or gossip without feeling hurt and angry, along with the desire to rehabilitate our sullied reputation.

Reasons for humility.

I was reading Tanquerey again, this time on humility, he writes:

“I am a sinner, and as such I merit contempt, all the contempt it may please God to heap upon me.  To convince ourselves of this, it suffices to recall what we have said about mortal and venial sins:

If I have committed but a single mortal sin, I have merited eternal humiliation, since I have merited hell.  True, I entertain the hope that God has pardoned me, yet it remains none the less true that I have criminally assailed the majesty of God, that I have attempted a species of deicide, perpetrated a sort of spiritual suicide, and that in order to atone to the Divine Majesty for that offence, I must be ready to accept, nay, even to wish for every possible humiliation, every slander, every calumny, every injury, every insult.  All of this is far below the just deserts of him who has offended a single time the infinite majesty of God.  And if I have offended against it a great many times, what must be my resignation, nay, my joy, when the occasion offers to expiate my sins by enduring a shame but lasts for a short time.” - The Spiritual Life

After Communion, I looked over my life, the times I’ve sinned - and I mean seriously sinned, as well as the times I pissed people off - times so numerous I can’t begin to tell.  And yet I rebel and grow angry with those who gossip and scorn me, and call me a hypocrite, a scoundrel, or whatever some may have said. 

Wow! 

I’m off the rest of the day, First Friday you know…attempting to make reparation for my sins.

Bill Donohue posted a news release documenting another Catholic Bashing on “The View” yesterday.  I actually saw the show and heard what was said, and Mr. Donohue recounts it accurately.

It was in regard to a news report concerning a woman who was dismissed from a position as choir director because she wouldn’t give up her job selling sex toys.  Being non-Catholic and irreligious, the ladies on The View misunderstood the actions of the priest.  They felt nothing was wrong with the woman’s side job, etc.  They said some pretty dumb stuff.  They don’t “get” the Catholic Church, and they don’t “like” the Church. 

It became an occasion for them to get their digs in about the Catholic Church.  It is no secret Whoopie Goldberg does not like the Catholic Church - she hates the ban on contraception and abortion thing, as well as the condom ban stuff.  Joy Behar is like many people our age, raised Catholic, living with someone, she rails against the Church’s disciplines.  She doesn’t accept the teachings of the Church, stopped going to Church years agao, and pretty much has some anger issues stemming from her Italian-Catholic experience.

Rosie was considered the key bigot on staff, Donohue more or less says it has been orchestrated by Barbara Walters all along.  Not really.  Most women in media disagree with what the Church teaches and considers the Church the enemy of women.  It is just how it is.  Donohue said:

“It has only been a matter of days since ‘The View’s’ leading bigot, Rosie O’Donnell, left the show.  Yet the assault goes on.  The co-hosts will use any excuse to rip into the Church, even if they have to play fast and loose with the facts to do so.  Thus we see that the true culprit isn’t Rosie, it is co-owner and co-producer Barbara Walters.  She’s the captain of this anti-Catholic ship.” - Bill Donhue

Truth is, they bash everyone they don’t like, the President, the war, Guilianni, and so on.  They are women and they have an agenda and the show is called “The View” - what are you going to do?