THE Pope of the prophecies…
Habeamus Papam!
Many devout Catholics are familiar with the prophecy of St. John Bosco, as well as the revealed portion of the Third Secret of Fatima, so I won’t go into these matters here. Except to say, I think Pope Benedict XVI might well be The Pope envisioned in these prophecies.
Reading the various reactions to the release of Benedict XVI’s Motu Proprio, Summorum Pontificum, concerning the liturgy, as well as the latest clarification from the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, regarding the primacy of the Catholic Church, leads me to this conclusion.
“I have come, not for peace, but for division.” Luke 12: 51
Early in his pontificate, the Holy Father caused an outcry because of his speech concerning issues regarding Islam. Now, dissident/progressivist elements in the Catholic Church, along with not a few Protestant brethren, seem to be outraged by his most recent documents. What better sign do we have that there really is a counter-reform underway in the Church - the so-called the ‘reform of the reform’ - dedicated to restoring authentic worship, faith and morals, than the objection of those not in communion with the Magisterium? With the reign of Benedict XVI we are now beginning to see the enemies of the Church, coming out of their closets, to establish their division lines against authentic Catholic teaching. It’s a good thing.
Bosco’s dream.
In the vision of Don Bosco, little ships come to the embattled Pope’s aid. Recently a small, sedevacantist group of nuns came back into communion with the Roman Catholic Church because they recognized in Benedict XVI the true Pope. Orthodox Catholics have been the only group to praise the recent Vatican document clarifying the status of “churches” in relationship to Rome. Perhaps these overtures can be recognised as the little ships coming to support the Roman Pontiff in Don Bosco’s vision?
(Note on Don Bosco’s dream; Some analysts assert that two Popes fell before the third successor Pope, who subsequently ”docks” the ship, that is the Church, between the two columns representing the Eucharist and Our Lady.)
I’m not Michael Brown - and this isn’t Spirit Daily, but the idea intrigues me.
(Photo: Benedict XVI arriving in Cologne upon the prow of a ship. Painting: The vision of Don Bosco.)