The Holy Father will have much to suffer…
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.)
June 1st, 2007 at 11:01 pm
What many don’t understand is that Pope Pius XII DID try in an open manner to aid the Jews and defy Nazi policy. The country chosen was Holland, who with the support of Pope Pius XII sent out a letter to the Bishops in defiance of the Nazi’s. The man chosen to deliver these letters was Bl. Titus Brandsma who was arrested and killed by the Nazi’s.
Here is an extract that the Pope wrote to Bishop Konrad von Preysing concerning the actions taken in Holland.
“We leave it to the [local] bishops to weigh the circumstances in deciding whether or not to exercise restraint, ad maiora mala vitanda [to avoid greater evil]. This would be advisable if the danger of retaliatory and coercive measures would be imminent in cases of public statements of the bishop. Here lies one of the reasons We Ourselves restrict Our public statements. The experience We had in 1942 with documents which We released for distribution to the faithful gives justification, as far as We can see, for Our attitude.”
Pope Pius XII could have made some wonderful grandstanding moments but of what cost and who would pay the price? Instead the Holy Father retaliated against the Nazi regime in a more subtle way. We have to remember that the Pope was NOT concerned with his ‘image’ as are most politicans of today…In the end Pope Pius XII remained silent as his conscience was CLEAR before God.
Dont mean to blabber on but this is close to my heart…Sorry Terry:)
God bless you,
Marie
June 1st, 2007 at 11:19 pm
Pope Pius XII was a holy, heroic and thoroughly lovable man who was responsible for saving the lives of tens of thousands of Jews. Plus, he was a Third Order Dominican, which enhances his coolness quotient by a factor of at least ten.
Here is some more recommended reading on (soon-to-be-declared Venerable) Pius XII:
Crown of Glory: The Life of Pius XII, by Alden Hatch. An extremely sympathetic portrayal by a Protestant author, written during the Pope’s lifetime.
The Myth of Hitler’s Pope, by Rabbi David Dalin. First, Rabbi Dalin examines the ages-old tradition of papal protection of the Jews; then, he demolishes the myth that Pius XII had any truck whatsoever with Hitler or his minions.
June 2nd, 2007 at 8:22 am
One of my regular readers (Humboldt) noticed Msgr. Montini (prominent bald head) (later Paul VI) in background.
June 2nd, 2007 at 9:37 am
Thanks for your good and very informative comments ladies and gentleman!