The Decline of the Christian West I
n his encyclical, Immortale Dei, Pope Leo XIII affirmed: “There was a time when the philosophy of the Gospel governed the states. In that epoch, the influence of Christian wisdom and its divine virtue permeated the laws, institutions, and customs of the peoples, all categories and all relations of civil society. Then the religion instituted by Jesus Christ, solidly established in the degree of dignity due to it, flourished everywhere thanks to the favour of princes and the legitimate protection of magistrates. Then the Priesthood and the Empire were united in a happy concord and by the friendly interchange of good offices. So organised, civil society gave fruits superior to all expectations, whose memory subsists and will subsist, registered as it is in innumerable documents that no artifice of the adversaries can destroy or obscure.”
Yes, such a society really did exist. In that epoch many countries were ruled by saint kings, such as St. Louis IX, king of France, and his cousin St. Ferdinand, king of Spain.
July 2019
rested and expelled from their work, just for reaffirming the moral teachings of the Church. The medieval period was an epoch in which every aspect of life benefitted from the influence of the Holy Catholic Church. Nowadays the teaching of the Church is cast aside, despised, ignored and opposed at every level of society. How did we get from that glorious epoch described by Pope Leo XIII to the state of decay and stagnation of our days? The height of Christian civilisation in the Middle Ages was a time of great vitality for the Church and for society. The arts and sciences flourished. Above all,
But in our own time most countries in the West are governed by people without character or principles – certainly not by saints. In the time referred to by Pope Leo XIII rights were respected in accordance with Divine and natural law. Natural rights, in our own days, are trampled underfoot. Everywhere we turn we see people harassed, ar-
Pope Leo XIII
the Faith flourished. And under the watchful eye of the Church the whole of Christendom prospered.
sensuality are the causes of the spirit of revolt that propels man along the path of the Revolution.
How far we have fallen from those lofty heights! The former zeal to defend the Church and to spread the Gospel has all but disappeared. The state has become omnipotent – a quasi religion in itself.
Revolution and Counter-revolution takes the reader through the various stages and episodes of the revolutionary process, exposing the mechanisms by which the enemies of Christendom were able to lead the whole world in the opposite direction from that indicated by the Church.
How have we fallen so far? How did we reach this point? If you want to understand the process by which Christian civilisation was undermined, dismantled and replaced with the secular, atheistic and neo-pagan society of today, we strongly recommend that you read Revolution and Counter-revolution, by Plinio Corrêa de Oliveira. This book provides a succinct analysis of the crisis of modern man, tracing its origins to an explosion of pride and sensuality at the end of the Middle Ages. Pride and
But this book is not merely an overview or a denunciation of the errors of our times. Revolution and Counter-revolution clearly indicates a way forward for all who aspire to reversing the process of decline and to restoring the Church and Christian civilisation to their former glory. To order a copy of Revolution and Counter-revolution see the details in the box below.
“...nothing can defeat a people that is virtuous and truly loves God.”
Plinio Corrêa de Oliveira
Revolution and Counter-Revolution
S
ince its first publication in the Brazilian cultural journal Catolicismo in 1959, Revolution and Counter-Revolution has gone through a number of editions. This is the first edition to be published in Ireland. It includes commentaries on Revolution and Counter-Revolution’s third part, which was added by the author in 1976. Revolution and Counter-Revolution, the basic book and inspiration of Irish Society for Christian Civilisation and like organisations, contains principles of wisdom that can efficaciously stop the disintegration of civilisation in the world today.
ORDER YOUR COPY
Revolution and Counter-Revolution (206 Pages, Paperback)by:
(a) Website: www.isfcc.org/RCRNL (b) Phone: 01-842-9640 (c) Post: Irish Society for Christian Civilisation, P.O Box 9701, Swords, Co. Dublin (When ordered via your Newsletter Reply Form or website above)
Normal price €15.00 (Incl. P&P) SPECIAL OFFER for Newsletter subscribers €12.00 (incl. P&P) 2
Events A Cultural Day for Catholic Ladies
O
n 3 June, twenty-five ladies participated in the Ireland Needs Fatima annual Catholic Ladies Day, which took place at to the Central Catholic Library. The day began with a lecture, From Modernity to Tradition through Home Schooling, which was followed with a lively question and answer session. A buffet lunch was provided, benefitting from the time and effort of several ladies who prepared delicious salads and other dishes. After lunch a volunteer of Ireland Needs Fatima gave a presentation on the Maid of Orleans. St. Joan of Arc’s seemingly impossible mission – to free France from the English and crown the French king in Reims – resonated with the audience who, as faithful Catholics, have a similarly impossible task today – to stop the Revolution and rebuild Christian Civilisation. The final presentation was a brief summary of activities – our Fatima Home Visitation programme, annual summer camp for young men, and the Public Square Rosary Rally initiative. The day concluded with a High Tea and the recitation of the Holy Rosary in front of the statue of Our Lady of Fatima.
Call to Chivalry Summer Camp
F
or a week in July, 22 young men will gather at Glencomeragh House, Co. Waterford to attend the Ireland Needs Fatima Call to Chivalry summer camp. Those who have attended before know what to expect – a Treasure Hunt, All Night Vigil in front of the Blessed Sacrament, an uplifting and Catholic ambiance to nurture their Faith and inspiring talks on Catholic heroes and saints. Many look forward to the public expression of their Faith when they travel to Dungarvan to pray a public Rosary, accompanied by bagpipes and hymns. The bagpipes will also serve as an alarm clock. Each morning at seven, our piper will march down the hallway playing Reveille. Once awake the young men will line up outside their bedrooms to pray together: three Hail Marys for a good death and for purity. Please pray for the success of this year’s summer camp. Young men today need to realise the important role they can play in rebuilding Christian civilisation.
Ireland Needs Fatima Rosary Rallies: Bringing the Faith into the Public Square
S
ince 2013, Ireland Needs Fatima has promoted the Public Square Rosary Rally initiative. It began with one rally in O’Connell Street, Dublin. Shortly afterwards, a friend began his own rally in Navan. Now, Rosary Rallies are regularly organised throughout the country. In May of last year, eighty-seven Rosary Rally Captains held rallies in their respective towns to commemorate the 1st apparition of Our Lady in Fatima. Many continue to hold regular Rosary Rallies in Dungarvan, Nenagh, Limerick, Navan and Dublin to name just a few. 3
Militant Catholics Oppose Sacrilegious Play
O
n 12th May, 41 faithful and militant Catholics gathered under the red standard of Tradition, Family & Property – TFP to manifest their opposition to the sacrilegious play Makin a Holy Show of Yerself being played at The Reg Restaurant. Volunteers of Ireland Needs Fatima - INF, the largest campaign of Irish Society for Christian Civilisation, led the protesters in the Rosary and in the Litany of Loreto. Reigning over the entire street was a statue of Our Lady of Fatima, carried on the shoulders of four men. Participants of the protest held signs with messages such as “We will not be silent against blasphemy” and “Defamation is not Free Speech!” Facing the car traffic, two other men held an eight foot banner which read “Enough is Enough! Stop Blaspheming Our Lord Jesus Christ!” Many locals from Waterford attended the rally, horrified that in their city, such an offensive play would be allowed. Despite the gravity of the sacrilege, there was a palpable sense of joy among the protesters; a joy which comes from doing what is right, whatever the sacrifices. Many in fact, had travelled from as far as West Cork and Cavan to attend.
Repercussions from the Public Several occupants of cars driving by the protest showed their support with thumbs up or a honk. Others, not so happy that Catholics were reacting to the anti-Catholic play, shook their heads or uttered profanities. Every so often, passers-by heard over the loudspeaker; “We are doing this Rally to make reparation for a sacrilegious play happening across the street in the Reg Restaurant”. Even the waitresses of the Reg came to witness the protest though they did not to cross the street. In Ireland, as this protest makes evident, a growing number of Catholics are willing to react against evil. With the grace of God and the maternal help of His Mother, this reaction will continue to grow.
4
European TFPs Unite to Protect Notre Dame
F
rom 2nd to 6th May, the French TFP and TFP representatives from Europe, Ireland, Brazil and the United States, carried out a series of campaigns in Paris, obtaining signatures to have Notre Dame Cathedral faithfully restored. Campaigns were held at main crossroads, squares and avenues of the city: Place de l’Opera, Saint-Lazare train station, Petit-Pont, Bon Marché, Place du Palais Royal, Place Victor Hugo. 8 out of every 10 passerby accepted the flyer. Giving beauty and panache to the whole campaign were three grand standards, a banner, several small signs, two trumpets, a trombone, bagpipes, and four small standards. Responses from Parisians A gentleman of about 65, a Catholic and traditionalist, said: This is the first intelligent demonstration I have seen in Paris!” At the Palais Royal, a French lady, looking at the campaign, exclaimed “Oh, this is very elegant, very elegant!” Another Frenchman said “very beautiful, very beautiful!” A French lady commented: “The cathedral is a symbol not only of France, and as a French woman I want to thank the foreigners on this campaign.” At same time, someone opposed shouted: “Fascists!” After learning many foreigners were here for the campaign, a French youth riding a bike shouted: “you are superb!””Bravo! You are true patriots! I totally agree with you!” The Royalists Have Arrived! As we arrived at the St Lazare train station, a man was standing next to a newspaper kiosk. When he saw the standard poles with the fleur-de-lys, he said in a very French and picturesque way: “Fleur-de-lys, the king’s flower, the royalists arrive. I am a royalist too!”
5
Campaign Update Fatima:
Past or Future
23,500
7 Reason to Reject Abortion
(Ready for distribution during our Summer Street Campaign)
26,000
Rosary:
Great Weapon of the Twenty First Century
104,540
Stop The Lies
Exposing the Evils of Abortion to the Next Generation
Coming soon.
The Miraculous Medal
A Gift from Heaven
18,940 Sacred Heart Book
Salvation of Families and Society
6,350 Little Nellie Booklet An Irish Treasure
8,460
Norman Fulkerson
Little Nellie An Irish Treasure
Little Nellie Booklet Cover Draft.indd 2
04-09-18 12:36:15 PM
The Seven Sorrows of Our Lady
8,790
Revolution and Counter-Revolution Available to Purchase. See Advert on page 2.
The afformentioned campaigns are only a proportion of the campaigns presently being undertaken by Irish Society for Christion Civilisation. The above are approximate figures based on information available when printing error and omissions excepted
6
Idol or Image
*
Ambiences, Customs and Civilisations
By Professor Plinio Corrêa de Oliveira Catolicismo, No. 08 – August 1951 irgin” by Jacques Lipchitz. The author describes it with these words: “From the beak of the dove hang three fragments of the starry Heaven that come together, forming a heart turned upside down, from which emerges the Virgin with her arms open to the world. The whole is carried by Angels in full flight. “ The extravagance of the general idea and of the details is shocking. The shape of the image, its gesture, nothing reveals the purity and unequaled dignity of the Mother of God. The image does not instruct, does not form, does not attract. The Christian spiritual note is so alien to it that if the sculptor wanted to sell it as if it were an idol he would not have to do any touch-up: it would suffice to change the name given by him to the statue.
“V
Who could say the same of the other painting, which represents Our Lady of Sorrows, the work of Simon Marmion, a painter of the fifteenth century? Without wishing to make an artistic commentary, we analyse the contrast between the mentalities expressed in one image and another, in order to make readers feel the aspirations from which are born, and the paths taken by, modern art to distort and deform true Christian piety. * This article was not revised by the author before publication
ry
a nu
Our Campaigns so far this Year
19
20
Ja
te ca
n, tio Every month, volun isa teers bring a beaut of Our Lady of iful statue vil Fatima to home s all over the count Highlights includ Ci as a ry. e a video on the n Message of Fatim and, of course, ia u the Rosary. Dema a ist e yo nd for these visits r great. Our goal h is is is to have one team C n for Irelan each d. province of for cog Publ y e ic t Rosary Rallies cie to r o Rosar y Rallie S d Catholic Faith and s are public manifestations of sh se our of n, tering today’s secula our devotion to Our Lady Coun Iri ea r ig r, neo-pagan and f pl Be pa s, these rallies give immoral culture, ar m s o re eM hope nd ca ful Catholics. Irelan and encouragement to other or , a a faithale d Needs Fatima ct ort or M C e m hundred rallies i ir p last year. The goal organised over a at : tima lic and D sup act o now F Rosar is to have regula y Rallies in all s, s 18 a r the major towns p ath of us ef ed 20 ds F m r C tion and cities in Ireall land. i ca o rd ro en ge Stree Ne in ee er f the dev sa t Campaigns oa ene B m nd ble nd N es m e o ay eB g ny Street Campaigns ela si la rm Su tic urd enable us to conta th our Ir pos r Ire ha , witho he rectly ry rac Sat p e ct l f peopl g i ut y depen e u e diding on media. o in th ad h o iva he p irst Ep distributed thous Our volunteers br rs for t g have ands of leaflets in F Ch he Irelan . to in the street n u m rou be ful d promoting the to t in ry, ft 18 a, sacredness of unbor s throughout tio yo th m 20 all por osa to em ate life-long marriage; n life; natural, ati as pa at ure ay d C sup e R and devotion to Fe e m gr fF M Our ici h lt ma.
tifi
tor
c efa
r Ce
ION SAT ILI CIV MP hiv IAN ER CA T S to C is a RI MM Call lry inU CH the hiva OR LRY S ded t. C es. It se A YF tten abou ne liv oppo tIET CHIV a s C d ll a SO TO o h y is a hich o rch an uprigh c wh SH ALL an hivalr by w Chu nour, atholi IRI C c ly e C o gm
ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES OF IRISH SOC
IETY for ion FOR CHRISTI t ty AN CIVILISATIO cie lisa Irish Society for N Christian Civili So ivi sation and its camp C constantly seek sh aigns to spread devot Iri tian ion to Our Lady Fatima Home is r through: Visits Ch
en
B
u
th
a o rt w c c th s 9 dy 15 ces eed h a pa e is oli 01 La ,2 ur er ath s; eld ren n n suc ur ry yo h ng C ation ies h onfe ple i ns, fO ua l c eo io gh eo ati lic al s, ot Jan tu ou ag pub ry R ing of p dev h a t r t p t 6 h s ro er ls sa ee ds
Th
n
f
o
T
u p th m an ifu io d Ro ut an nd o lic ugh ous al p ea g in rs a Pub thro f th tion ab s o adi tte 90 te ith sle an tola ten g tr ; sw w e h o a n s t t di im om Ne re apo ut h o ea at o M uth ing spr f F of o s Yo ach by ge red ; a Re th – ess und ntry i fa e M to h cou ore… h s t sit he m t h Vi ver uc m o d An nd
fe
De
y lle Fo or ul ct Pa Dire
Lady of FatiRecen y tly Ireland Needs Fatim a organised a Rally ph of Repar ur ation in Waterford again st a play attacking Holy M the n Mass. lee or th ect Ka Dir ry
-
a
M
M
5P
2:1
9
1-1
-0
09
1:2
o d t h oun s wha ral co the H with a truly ho yy An know a mo efend live with nw e d me p is, ct, s to ng pose th ocam condu ness to ires u --that y p you s lr g a e of illin for ally o y and insp piety re y d a w ic il lr ly o a a c n m ps ero st hiv ma des cam to h the fa mu clu vil. C and alry illing ngers e ty We nts us iv t. h n w a all , puri ere wa amp s to C o are h end nes it. C ndiff God hic Call wh be i s that ivalry t spir The m and orals w o f nn Ch is roe ls o ero ss of m e ca the he all to eh ode n w C lov eral lo gm me ecome of the . ady olic ndin gen . ath e to b oals ur L s utsta ciety As C e grac main g to O e trend to o . n o in th e ers purity devoti pose th for e thre g a y pra e. Th teen anly tion in d to op m ng a n to b you lly in found up a : are o form specia solid stand 1. T irtue, e them a them to . d v e e rl g iv o g coura ern wo T . n 2 oe od 3. T f our m o
I
The D Chr ecline o istia n Wef the st
July 2019 n his en firmed cyclical , Imm : ortale “T Dei, of th here was Pope e Leo epoc Gospel a time w XIII h, th hen gove afthe ph e in and rested flu rned its institu divine ence of the states ilosophy the m and expe . lle oral catego tions, an virtue pe Christian In that teachi d from d rmea thei ngs of Then ries and custom ted th wisdom Th s the C r work, ju aspe e medieva solid the relig all relatio of the pe e laws, hurc st for ct io ly h. op reaffi Catho of life be l period due to establis n institu ns of civi les, all rmin w lic C nefit te he l g ted fr as an ep hurc favo it, flouris d in th d by Jesu society. h. oc om th ur of hed ev e degr N s C ow e influ h in whi tion prince ad ee of hrist, eryw desp ch of ence ised, ays the the E magistr s and th here than dignity te of th every at ig aching nore every ates. e legi mpire e Hol ks to d Th and y How level of and oppo of the C by th were un en the timate pr the hurc Pr that gl did we society. sed ot e fices h is . So friendly ited in a iesthood ecge or ca io t desc orga happ st as supe interc and ribed us epoch from ni ide, y ri Leo by Po subs or to all sed, civi hange of concord X l is expe of de III to the pe ctatio society ga good ofinnu ts and w ca ill m ns, w ve fr gnatio y and st state the ad erable do subsist, an of regi hose m uits versar cu ou The Yes, ies ca ments th stered as emory height r days? such C at n it hr destro is in is no ar a soci of In y or in th tian civilis ety re obsc tifice of e ally di king that epoc ure.” a tim Middle A ation s, d exis h e sin St such as St many t. for th of great ges was co . Ferd . e vi inand, Louis IX untries w societ Church tality , ki ere ru an king But scienc y. The arts d for led by of Sp ng of Fr gove in our ow ance ain. es flo an rn sain , and urishe d certa ed by pe n time his co t m inly d. Abo unot by ople with ost coun ve al l, out ch tries in saints In . aracte th respec the time r or e West ar ted in referred princi e acco ples rdan to by Po Natur – ce w pe Le al rig foot. ith D hts, Ever ivine o XIII rig ywhe in our and na ht ow re w tural s were e turn n days, law. we se are tra e peop mpled New unde sletter le ha July r2019.in ra ssed, dd 1 ar-
Pope
Leo
XIII
02-07-
19 10:5 2:07
rt
ce or
efat
ben
n
Ja
19
20
d
nd
i).i
(v
1
AM
7
Our Readers Write “I read your Booklet this evening and prayed to Little Nellie about my problem. Miraculously things were sorted at 7pm. This is not the first time she has sorted my problems. Thank you and keep up the good work.” RH, Co Cork “Many thanks for posting on to me the ‘Paradigm Shift’… It was one of the best books that I have read re: same subject. I wish to order more…” TR, Co Dublin “Many thanks for the Beautiful Certificate. I know that your mission will flourish and I feel privileged to be a small part of it.” GD, Co. Donegal
“Ireland today is at a cross roads… Your crusade is like an oasis of hope in a desert of despair. May Mary lead us with Jesus to partake of its healing waters and may Ireland once more reflect the inheritance of our dearly departed loved ones who passed on the faith of their fathers to us.” SJ, Co Offaly
“Very many thanks for the beautiful statue of St. Anthony with the child Jesus… I’m really delighted with the quality of the statue… it is a lovely size and can be slipped into a handbag… also suitable to take into hospital when one is not well. Thank you once again for this lovely gift.” EMcM, Co. Clare
“Just a note to express my gratitude… you have sent me some beautiful gifts such as Rosary beads, Calendars, an exquisite sterling silver medal of Our Lady… More recently you sent me a bronze medallion of Our Lady of Fatima. Thank you so much for what will now become a family heirloom. Continued success with the crusade.” MS, Co Cork “Since I started praying to Our Lady on a daily basis my life has turned around and I feel much stronger in every way. My anxiety has improved no end. Thank you for all your support....” KS, Co. Kerry
Obituary Please remember in your prayers José Luis Baptista (1960 – 2018), who died on 20th December, 2018. For almost 40 years he worked tirelessly in defence of the Faith and of Christian civilisation, in South Africa, Australia, India, Portugal, Brazil and Germany. And since Irish Society for Christian Civilisation was founded in 2004 Mr Baptista generously gave his time to help with the preparation of our publications, the organisation of our activities, and with every aspect of our apostolate. We benefitted enormously from his wide ranging experience, and we are ever grateful for his help. Eternal Rest grant to him, O Lord, and may Perpetual Light shine upon him. May he rest in peace.
Amen. Ireland Needs Fatima Newsletter is published by Irish Society for Christian Civilisation Talbot Hall, P.O. Box 9701, Swords, Co. Dublin Tel/Fax: 01-842 9640 – www.isfcc.org The Ireland Needs Fatima Newsletter is free of charge, although any donations sent to help defray the cost of producing it will be welcome. Ireland Needs Fatima is a special project of Irish Society for Christian Civilisation, which is a charity registered as a company limited by guarantee. Registration Number 381474. Directors: P.Folley, M. Murphy. Secretary: R. M. O’Hanlon. Charity Number: CHY 20680. Registered Charity Number: CRA 20082277
8