Crusade Magazine 1997 by Nestor

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«--^ishops compliment Jacinta's Story "Let me congratulate you on the publication of 'Jacinta's Story.' This fine book seems to me to be very helpful to teaching young children the beauti ful Story of Our Lady of Fatima..." Most Rev. Thomas V. Daily, D.D. Bishop of Brooklyn "I leafed through the book and believe that it is a good approach for children to become familiar with the apparition at Fatima." Most Rev. J. Kendrick Williams

Bishop ofLexington

"Thank you for your kindness in presenting us with a copy of Jacinta's Story. It is a wonderful lit tle book for the Lord's little ones. As I paged through out, I couldn't help but think how wonder fully I would have accepted a book like this when I was a kid. The illustrations that go along with the

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J,1 11 hi-Li-lll

February 10, 1997

Kr. Aoberc S. Ritchio Sxccutivc Director AJinricd Needs PatiBO P.O. BOX 1868

York, PA

story do make it very attractive. I'm sure many

will find this most appealing. The message of Our Lady will certainly come to them through Jacinta's

1740S

Dear Kt. Ritchie:

L write to «jcknowlcd<jc receipt of the recently published book, Jacintu's Story. Please be assured that I ooi deeply grateful. I pray that this book wtll hove a wide circulation and that it will influence Cor good the youth of our country. Koy our young

Story." Most Rev. A. Edward Pevec

people sou jn the children of Patina role bo<Ic1& for thenselves, so that, as they grow upi and

to Nis Qlcsscd

they will drow closer

Auxiliary Bishop of Cleveland

to Jcsuo Oirist

Mother.

Asking an occasional sry best wish, 1 remain

remembrance

your

prayer

and

ercfy in Christ,

with

Thank you sincerely for the copy of Jacinta's Story, published by America Needs Fatima. The

book is very appealing and I'm sure will be wel comed by many. Most Rev. Nicholas J. Samra

Auxiliary Bishop of Newton Protosyncellus

The book should prove to be a fine resource for

children, especially as it encourages their prayerful devotion to our Blessed Mother, a practice that is greatly needed in the Church and the world today. Most Rev. Thomas J. Tobin Bishop of Yoiingstown

"May God bless your efforts to spread the message of Fatima, which will continue to be a source of

inspiration for young people. Most Rev. Edwin F. O'Brien

Auxiliary Bishop of New York Robert Ritchie, director of

To request a copy oj Jacinta Iv Story, please write to or cc

American Needs Fatima, makes sure our Bishops are

not left out in receiving i

copy of Jacinta'a StorS

America Needs Fatima P.O. Box 1868, York,PA 17405 (717) 225-7147

Cover: Facing the January-Febniary, 1997 In Brief

drama of life with

^ _PREj»ARING

virtue or drugs

1,^ ETERNITY,

^ yVING FOR A ■ The American TFP in Action 1^

The Anti-Aboriion Struggle in 1997

Cathedrals and Castles—A Tour Around the Country

❖ Is the Light of Reason Fading?

Ambiences, Customs and Civilizations The Windstorm of Egalitarianism Leads to Materialism

Plinio Correa de Oliveira on the inherent risks in a virtue

Cover Article Drugs; A Mystical Communion with the Devil

❖ Saint Ther^se of the Child Jesus and the Holy Face

❖ A Letter to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

Commentar Tolerunec. a Dangerous Viriiie

Prophets^ Martyrs, Saints and Heroes Maria Drosle zii Visehering

Forgotten Truths Drugs: Instruments of happiness or death? Parents who fail to educate their children

well are more cruel than pairicitles

, .. ,

Basic History Course of Western Civilization World Empires Prepare the Way lor the Word of (Jod

Family Series Brother Wolf

Crusade Magazine is a publication of the American Society for the Defense of Tradition, Family and Property (TFP). Subscriptions in the United States and Canada, $24.00.

Foreign subscriptions, $30.00. List of other TFP publications

A life—and the

available upon request. Direct all subscription requests and

world—consecrated to the Sacred Heart

Permission is granted to reproduce, in whole or in part, any arti cle of this magazine with credit given to Crusade Magazine.

of Jesus

Crusade Magazine

Editor: C. Preston Noell III

How Far WiU It Go?

Associate Editors:

Earl Appleby Jack Bumham

After the explosion of the cultural revolution in the 1960s and its vari ous aftershocks, there seemed to come a lull in which nothing really radi cal happened. The major steps had been made. By the end of the seventies, a conservative reaction had set in throughout much of the world. The

Eugenia Guzman Gary Isbell Thomas J. McKenna Photography: Todd E Kamuf

hoards of youngsters rioting in universities disappeared, hair got shorter again, rock got softer, and the population of the hippie commune dwindled

Circulation:

to a residue of die-hard drop-outs.

Foreign Correspondents:

Steven A. Herrera

Drugs, the subject of our cover article, became the object of increasing legislative restriction and public outrage. From the perspective of the

BRAZIL: Orlando Lyra

1970s, it would have been surprising that drug legalization in the 1990s

CANADA: John Misek

AUSTRALIA: John S. Tucker

would be the subject of an agonizing national debate. Surprising, that is, for

CHILE: Nelson Farias Blanco

someone unfamiliar with the revolutionary process affecting society.

FRANCE: Mario Beccar Varela

Surprising, too, for those who believed that events like those of the sixties

GERMANY: Beno Hofschulte

were mere isolated anomalies in the course of history. It would not have

PHILIPPINES: Allen Bandril

been surprising for those who were aware that the trends in modem society have a direction and are part of a process. As a student of this process, the late Prof. Plinio Correa de Oliveira

PORTUGAL: Mauriclo Sucena

noted in his seminal work, Revolution and Counter-Revolution, that the

SPAIN: Juan Barandiaran

ROME: Juan M. Monies SOUTH AFRICA: Richard Urban

revolutionary movement does not turn back. This movement, always alive, has at times feigned death. This is

The American TFP

one of its most interesting metamorphoses. On the surface, the situ ation of a certain country looks entirely tranquil. The counter-revo

The American Society for the

lutionary reaction slackens and dozes. But in the depths of the reli gious, cultural, social, or economic life, the revolutionary ferment is continuously spreading. Then, at the end of this apparent interval,

Defense of Tradition, Family and

Property (TFP) was founded in 1973 to confront the profound crisis shaking the modem world. It is a civic, cultural and nonpartisan orga

there is an unexpected upheaval, often more severe than the previous With the possible advent of legalized marijuana on the horizon after the approval of Proposition 215 by Califomians, we may be witnessing a new wave of cultural decadence. We need, therefore to look more deeply into

the mentality behind the dmg movement. The liberal media have their mes sage prepared. It boils down to "Well, its not so bad after all" and "You should tell your children to make up their own minds." If our own reply is

nization which, inspired by the tra ditional teachings of the Supreme Magisterium of the Roman Catholic Church, works in a legal and peace ful manner in the realm of ideas to

defend and promote liie prii ' of private ownership, famil)

that it might possibly harm their hedth, then perhaps we are skating on thin

perennial Christian values with then-

ice.

twofold function: individual and social. The TFP's words and efforts

The dmg issue is bouncing back with a vengeance. Like the other crises affecting our society, it has a profoundly religious dimension. Understanding this dimension, proving its importance, and explaining the misconceptions which lead people to accept it helps remove the appeal of

have always been faithfully at the service of Christian civilization. The first TFP was founded in

dmgs. While an understanding of the dmg mentality helps, it raises anoth

Brazil by the famous intellectual

er question: How far will they go this time? If there is little or no reaction, it will be worse than the 1960s, the human toll will be greaterâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;and we will

and Catholic leader Prof. Plinio Correa de Oliveira in 1960. His

probably not even notice.

â&#x2013;

work has inspired the formation of other autonomous TFPs in 26 coun

tries across the globe, thus consti tuting the world's largest anticommunist and antisocialist network.

IN BRIEF 0 A glimmer of the light of reason

convention attracted 1000 people and 70

Procedures to Legally Implement the

vendors.

Eradication of Illegal Activities of the

the surprise both of pro-lifers

Catholic parents cite a variety of reasons

and those who favor the culture of

for educating their children at home: lack of

^ death, a federal judge, in a January

space in local parochial schools; inadequate academic standards and discipline; doctri

Underground Catholic Church." Characteristic of this persecution, last

stated that no crime was committed when

nal, spiritual, and moral deficiencies in cur

April and May 5000 soldiers with armored cars and helicopters sealed off the tiny vil lage of Dong Lu in Hebei, the site of a

two pro-life protesters blocked access to a

rent religious education.

national

decision termed "novel" by the press,

Westchester County, New York, abortion

Whatever the reasons, perhaps all par

mill. The two, a retired auxiliary bishop and

ents would agree that, all things considered,

a Franciscan friar, could have been held in

they want a stronger moral and spiritual

criminal contempt of an order given them

Catholic foundation in their children's

by the U.S. District Court in Manhattan to

upbringing, which they can belter guide at

abide by a 1994 law that "protects" the

home than if their children are away from

entrances of abortion mills.

them six or seven hours a day.

However, invoking a 1970 Supreme Court decision in favor of a conscientious

0 Persecution of the Catholic

objector to the Vietnam War, Judge John Sprizzo stated that the two pro-life champi

Church in Red China intensifies

ons acted on "sincere, genuine, objectively

Dating from the 1950's, when Mao Zedong's Communists cast out the last

based" religious convictions.

While this glimmer of logic is an encou

Marian

shrine

which

almost

100,000 underground Catholics visited in

1995. The soldiers destroyed the shrine and confiscated the statues of the Blessed Virgin Mary. They arrested two bishops and many priests and laymen. One of the bishops. Bishop Su Zhimin of Baoding, has since then disappeared. Mr. Kung criticizes Western govern ments for their policy of separating human rights and trade: This "sends a clear but wrong message to China that the West will tolerate human rights abuses for the sake of

profit and trade. Inasmuch as religious free

papal representatives and set up the puppet

dom is the most basic form of human rights,

ragement to pro-lifers, it has advocates of

Catholic Patriotic Associationâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;more a tool

the murder of unborn children in a tizzy.

of oppression than anything elseâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;the per

Vowing to appeal if the law permits, they appear even more upset that the ruling came

secution of the faithful Chinese children of

the current administration of many Western governments, including the United States, must bear great responsibility for this ongo ing religious persecution in China."

shortly after a recent bombing near an abor-

ty-

tuary in Atlanta and so near the anniversary of the slaying of abortion-mill workers in

Joseph Kung, president of the Cardinal Kung Foundation based in Stamford,

Brookline, Massachusetts.

Connecticut, comments

In their fury they fail to see the logic of such a decision and its timing. Those who rightfully oppose the murder of unborn chil

press release on a docu-

vide for items made

ment of the Chinese

dren would and could never advocate mur

Communist Party for

der of any kind. That would be hypocrisy. May this glimmer of the light of reason

labor, including, ironically, nativity sets

Jiangxi Province: "The

become a blinding light nationwide!

document proves that

Holy Mother Church is growing in intensi

American

consumers share in

dollar trade deficit in China's favor is due in

part to the enormous

retail market we pro-

the Fuzhou District in

^ w

Church by the Chinese Government is not regional or an isolated

fending for themselves The number of Catholic

families

choosing to home-

I ' '

of the Roman Catholic

case of abuse of power by a certain govern fully planned strategy by the central gov ernment to destroy the Roman Catholic

is on the rise nation-

Church."

cult to estimate preci.sely, an idea of the

The document claims that the growing number of faithful is due to the "intensified

figures of the many

infiltration of overseas religious enemy and opposition forces" and accuses religious believers of having "used religion to com mit criminal activities, seriously disturbing

networks and suppliers of home-schoolers. The Seton Home Study School, for exam ple, enrolls more than 9000 children in its

the social order and affecting political sta bility." The communists specify destruction of "the organization of the Catholic under

numbers can be ob

tained by noting the

slave

and other Christmas statues sold in reli-

t'^1':^

gious goods stores.

0 Young adultsâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;More religious and conservative?

ment official. On the contrary, it is a care

school their children wide. Though diffi

Chinese

decorations as well as

the ongoing persecution Catholic families in America

this

responsibility. Our estimated $39 billion

With the myriad deviations of tb - nnst three decades perhaps having reached uration point, there is a growing trend among young adults towards religion and conservative conduct.

Some

statistics

reported

the

Washington Times (Jan. 18, 1997) indicate

that over one quarter of those bom from

1963 to 1976 have a great deal of confi dence in organized religion. Forty-seven percent hold that church teachings are important in making personal decisions.

Catholic home-study program and provides

ground forces" and "the Church's illegal

Forty percent say it is important to attend

material for an

assembly place" as the goal of their efforts.

additional 7000. The

Educators drew 300 people to its first con

ship in Jiangxi Province, the document is

church regularly. As a nation's youth are its future, let us hope that this indicates some merciful

vention several years ago, while its 1996

based on a national document titled "The

designs of Providence for our nation,

National Association of Catholic Home

JANUARY-FEBRUARY, 1997

Though specifically addressing a town

The American TFP in Action

which, sadly, has done so much to merit God's punishment.

I 0 Battle heats up over homosex ual "marriage"

The eyes of concerned Americans are

by Orlando Lyra

on the state of Hawaii as the battle escalates

between those who define marriage in accordance with natural law and Christian

tradition and the activist minority who

Never were the challenges so great. Never h;

would pervert marriage to include unions between two men or two women. Although

the Hawaii Supreme Court ruled in 1993 that denying a marriage license to a homo sexual "couple" violates the state constitu

Although it was in the middle of win

bombs. It seemed as if we were in the streets

ter, the day dawned spring-like in

of Jerusalem or Belfast. What could be hap

tion's equal protection clause, on January

Washington on January 22. The

pening?

23 of this year the Hawaii House approved a proposed amendment to ban same-sex

glacial wind that had blasted the city for

"marriages." With a 44-7 vote, the House sent the measure to the State Senate, where

it is expected to have similar support. Rev. Marc R. Alexander, of the Hawaii

Catholic Conference offices, said that pub lic opinion polls show that Hawaiians over

whelmingly agree that marriage should be

Television and radio noisily reported that a "bomb" had exploded in front of a

more than a week suddenly changed direc tion, causing the temperature to rise. With

Planned Parenthood abortion clinic.

the changing temperature, the habitual tranquility of the city also changed abruptly.

A poor attempt at a show

On all sides, police cars with sirens blar ing raced through the streets. Seemingly in minutes, the police cordoned off whole

lyptic setting, in the Grand Ballroom of the

blocks of the downtown area. FBI and

BATF agents searched the area with bombsniffing dogs, checking trash cans for

A short distance away from this apoca prestigious Mayflower Hotel, Vice President A1 Gore and First Lady Hillary Clinton were taking part in a luncheon pro

moted by the National Abortion and Reproductive Rights Action League in com memoration of the 24th anniversary of the

defined as the union of one man and one

woman. In last fall's election, a majority of Hawaiian voters authorized a constitutional convention

to amend the

constitution

accordingly should the Senate refuse the

proposed amendment, If such "marriages" are legalized in Hawaii, homosexuals from around the

country have vowed to travel there to "wed," then to return to their home states to

begin legal battles to have their union rec ognized. Eighteen states have already enacted

laws banning recognition of same-sex "marriages" from out of state, and another 18 states are expected to consider such action this year. Last fall Congress passed and the

President signed the "Defense of Marriage Act" to safeguard the traditional definition of marriage, but this battle is sure to be a

prolonged one in the states and courts.

i ■■ ''.'la The American TFP in Action

ithusiasm for the anti-abortion cause attracted so many young peopie.

^ If Supreme Court's infamous Roe v. Wade deci sion.

LI-

who had picked it up after seeing it protrud ing from a pile of trash at a bus stop.

Since the day of that 1973 ruling, which

The easy access to publicity in the

legalized violence against the unborn, a

media led the abortionists to denounce this

baby has been legally executed in the

insignificant fact as "yet another terrorist

Partial-birth abortion

A multitude had gathered around a plat form on the Ellipse, where religious and political leaders took turns at the micro phone to denounce one of the great calami

United States every 20 seconds.

bomb." The absurdity of the allegation

In order to distract the attention of pub lic opinion from this harsh fact, the abor

became even more evident when, hours

ties of modem times: the killing of innocent

afterwards, official word from the police

children.

tionists vainly sought to take advantage of the small incident that had taken place that

clarified that it was a firecracker fuse, not a

The memory of President Clinton's veto of the bill prohibiting partial-birth abortion

morning in Washington: A firecracker-like

of abortion.

device accidentally went off in the hand of Mayflower Hotel worker Wilber Torcios,

bomb,and entirely unrelated to the question

was still vivid in the minds of the 125,000

Thus, like the supposed bomb, the show

people who had come from the four comers

concocted around the incident failed. With

of the country for the 24th annual March for

this, the public's attention turned to the

Life.

great and pacific event which was about to take place.

Bernard Qimlnal Law

Pro-Llf

atlve Caucus

£ t ■■■* V 1^

<|^fs sought TFP le

The American TFP in Action Assisted suicide and euthanasia

This unspeakable act on Clinton's part provoked such a wave of indignation that even

Questioned on what would be the

former abortionists switched to the ranks of

principal challenges faced in the battle of

the anti-abortion movement. As Bishop

abortion this year, Bernard Cardinal Law of Boston responded: "The challenge of abortion always remains with us. But I

William G. Curlin of Charlotte pointed out, "Clinton's support for partial-birth abortion has really brought people together like noth ing else. And now there is talk about killing the sick and aged. A death philosophy is tak ing over the country and frightening people."

believe that this year there will be a par

ticular focus as well on physician-assisted suicide and euthanasia. Two circuit court

cases are being reviewed by the U.S. Supreme Court. The oral arguments have already been presented. It is very impor tant that we continue to educate the pub

Do not be distracted

It is necessary to emphasize that every

lic about the fact that physician-assisted

form of abortion is detestable and immoral in

suicide is just a travesty of all that medi cine should be about and all that good

itself, independent of the method. According to

Howard

Phillips,

leader

the

Conservative Caucus,"It is important that we

morality has to say to us." Fr. Frank Pavone, Director, Priests for Life

not be distracted. All unborn children have a

The personhood of the

right to life. They shouldn't be killed,

unborn child

whether it is with a scissors at the back of

their neck, having their limbs dismembered,

Concerning the same question, Fr.

or by an RU486 pill. I think it is important

Frank Pavone, head of Priests for Life,

that we not let politicians get away with call

said: "For this coming year the challenge

ing themselves pro-life simply because they are against one method of abortion at one

is that there are many challenges, not any one in particular, except that it is very

time."

important that we continue to focus on the

Mr. Phillips further asserted:"We have to recognize that abortion is unconstitutional.

main issue, which is being focused on here today â&#x20AC;&#x201D; that unborn children itre persons. There are a lot of ways we can

The U.S. Constitution says no person may be

deprived of life without due process of law.

chip away at the abortion problem through regulations, through things like

We have to recognize that the Supreme Court has no authority to amend the Constitution.

the partial-birth abortion ban, and we support all those. However, the challenge is going to be not to lose sight of the pri

Its Roe u Wade decision is not law; it cannot

repeal the laws of God; it cannot overturn the Constitution. We have to set a standard for

politicians, tell them what we expect of them,

Rep. Christopher Smith, R-NJ

mary is.sue, which is that every unborn child has to be restored protection under

and then hold them to that standard."

the law."

Finding the "hidden money*'

Enthusiasm

Speaking of politicians. Congressman Christopher Smith (R-NJ) is ready to begin a thorough investigation in the Capitol, He

Balancing things out for the March on that day, William Cardinal Keeler of

intends to discover and denounce the "hidden

importance. One is that more an

money" which is financing abortion over seas."We are going to have a big fight in the House of Representatives in the next couple

people are realizing that it is the wunuin who suffers most of all. Not only is the

of weeks on whether or not we release

Baltimore said: "1 see two elements of

life of the infant lost, but woman them js

money. During the Reagan and Bush years, the United States did not promote abortion

selves are being victimized by the abor tion industry. The other is the enthusiasm

overseas. Bill Clinton has reversed that poli

of young people. You can see so many young people here today. It is very touch

cy: The U.S. is now promoting abortion over

ing."

seas. It has already been authorized to release

In fact, Cardinal Keeler was right. Never before had such youthful enthusi asm been seen in Washington, D.C. And

$400 million for population control overseas. I think that's cultural imperialism! We are going to try to attach conditions so that no foreign country can promote abortion with U.S. tax-payer dollars."

Bishop William G. Curlin of Charlotte

we may hope that this enthusiasm will

one day turn the tide against the slaughter of the innocents.

â&#x2013;

CRUSADE

Xb tli.e •ir>

4 —L

ht of Heasoji «>

The shocking nature of partial-birth abortion has inspired considerable

sense, of the natural balance of things— something that was once the patrimony of

indignation in sectors of public

every man.

opinion that remain silent about the horror of more common methods of abortion,

which claim more than 4,000 innocent

lives each day.

Abortion of any kind is sufficiently evil to demand our indignation. The very idea of a mother killing her own child, in her maternal cloister, should offend every

human being. Nevertheless, it was neces

sary to reach this infamous extreme for

The fading of the light of reason gives birth to a psychological state in which every contradiction, every inconsistency, and every absurdity is first tolerated, then accepted, and finally embraced. Countless examples could be given of this degradation: The toleration of abor tion as a "choice," the acceptance of homosexuality as a "lifestyle," and the embrace of euthanasia as "mercy" come to

some people to react. How can we

mind.

explain this? How can we explain the cyn icism that more people are upset by the sensationalism of the means (partial-birth abortion) than by the immorality of the end (a murdered baby)? This cynicism is the result of a twenti eth century phenomenon; the fading away of the light of reason. This lumen rationis is the light of natural reason, of common

Insensibility to clearly established truths and contempt for traditional values

are characteristic of a cynical mind. It is cynical, for example, to stand by and do nothing as the Nation's flag, our symbol of glory, is burned in the name of freedom of expression. Likewise, it is also cynical to accept such anti-natural acts as abor tion, euthanasia, and homosexuality as based on human riahts.

The principle of contradiction: foundation of the light of reason The acceptance by dominant sc ''ts of public opinion of these aberi, tions, repugnant to nature itself, indicate that we are witnessing the Thousands of copies of "Is the Light of

Reason Fading?" were distributed byTFP volunteers during the March for Life on

January 22

erosion of the foundation of the

light of reason: the principle of con tradiction. This principle was

regarded by Saint Thomas Aquinas as the foundation of all thinking. Without it we would not be able to

distinguish between truth and error,

good and evil. When the principle of contradiction dies, the light of reason is extinguished.

How can one lose the principle of con tradiction?

By not reacting to evil, one gets used to it. This prepares the person to accept a greater evil. Gradually, the person loses all notion of evil.

"The notion of good and evil can be revived in various ways, including: • Opportunely pointing out that God has the right to be obeyed and that,

accustomed to horror. When the last

Let's not lose sight of the horror of any abortion Many are reacting against the hideous nature of partial-birth abortion—even some who call themselves "pro-choice."

A growing number are increasingly uneasy with the radical demands of the

bright and the

abortionists who insist on an open sea son on unborn babies; something they would never tolerate for lesser endan

gered species.

principle of contradiction

sharp, we will defend all innocent victims

masterful book Revolution and Counter-

permissiveness, yes!" Then: "Abortion, no! Contraception, yes!" Afterwards:

stone of this barrier falls, everything is licit. Finally, they will shout: "Morality is dead; and, even, morality never exist ed!" Here we clearly see how the princi ple of contradiction is demolished.

reason

We also want to include precious insights on this point taken from the Revoliition, by the great Catholic thinker

yes!" In this way, stone by stone, the "barrier of horror" is dismantled in peo ple's minds. Gradually they become

the light of

develop a horror of each and every one of them.

In the beginning of the process, the person says: "Contraception, no! Sexual

"Partial-birth abortion, no! Abortion,

By keeping

horror towards evil. We ought to look back at every step of the process and

We hope that those who take a closer

look at abortion in the light of the hor rors of such "near infanticide" might .see the real evil of abortion, the murder of

innocent life that marks every abortion. But those whose revulsion to partialbirth abortion is simply squeamishness may well fall deeper under the spell of the Culture of Death. The grisly sight of scissors plunged into babies' skulls may blind their eyes to abortion's youngest

Professor Plinio Correa de Oliveira.

therefore. His commandments are tme

laws, which we ought to observe in the

spirit of obedience and not simply because they please us. • Emphasizing that the law of God is

intrinsically good and according to the order of the universe, in which the per fection of the Creator is mirrored. For

this reason, it should not only be obeyed, but loved; and evil should not only be shunned, but detested.

• Favoring social customs and laws in which uprightness is honored and

wickedness suffers public sanctions. • Insisting on the effects of Original Sin in man, his human frailty, the fmitfulness of the redemption by Our Lord Jesus Christ, and the need for grace, prayer, and vigilance in order for man to persevere."

The triumph of Faith If in the midst of the enveloping dark ness, we guard our light of reason by observing the fundamental principle of contradiction, we will hold firm to all

the truths established by God with the conviction that they are timeless. By keeping the light of reason i , ,lii and the principle of contradiction sharp, we will defend all innocent victims from

victims and close their ears to the

the crimes against God and man perpe

whirring of the suction machines at the comer abortion mill. When the light of

trated by the Culture of Death. The skeptics may smile, but the smile of skeptics has never been able to detain

reason dims, the light of truth often goes

the victorious advance of those who have Faith.

Reviving the principle of contradiction To restore the principle of contradic tion we must first revive the concept of good and evil, and rebuild the barrier of

January 22, 1997 The American TFP

CRUSADE

Ambiences, Customs and Civilizations

The Windstorm of

Egalitarianism

wmm

Leads to Materialism by Plinio Correa de Oliveira

The Marquis of Spmola, commander

graph presents only the centermosl part of

col has been suppressed on both sides.

of the valiant troops of Philip II, receives the keys of the city of Breda,

the painting which depicts armed troops on

Nothing here displays reciprocal esteem

both sides. Notwithstanding, the encounter

and confidence. The victors demand that

in the Netherlands, from the hands of Justin

of Nassau, who surrenders after intrepid

has a note of distinction and affability that evokes images of a greeting in a salon.

resistance. This is a famous painting by Velasquez.

Defeated, Justin of Nassau presents himself hat in hand and, bowing slightly, surrenders

The general ofthe Coolie King is arrayed in imposing armor, which is given a note of

the keys. Respecting the valor of the defeat ed, Spmola has also uncovered his head

than assassination. On both sides of this

the vanquished keep their hands raised, suspecting that they may resort to some treachery. The vanquished, also suspi cious, obey, thus hoping to make clear that

any attack on them would be nothing less

amenity with a lace collar and enhanced by

and, behind him, the nobles of his entourage

tragic encounter everything is reduced to

the grand sash proper to the supreme com

follow suit. Leaning slightly forward, the

mander. The marshal's staff is in his left

victorious leader checks the bow of the

the minimum required by the spirit of pragmatism. Not a single cultural or moral

hand. Justin of Nassau presents himself in

Flemish gentleman with his arm, his coun

value brightens the heavy and vulgar mood

rich apparel, also with lace collar and cuffs. The scene takes place in the countryside

tenance imbued with sympathy and consid eration. One senses that he is congratulating his adversary for his brilliant resistance, thus chivalrously assuaging the

that follows the immortal heroism of the

in a strictly martial ambience. Our photo-

S bit ernes that sur endering en

tails for the conquered. The discreet but eloquent details of this admirable painting

.mM' i

â&#x2013; '

ty of soul. Elevation of soul,

tutions of an aristocratic nature in a iiuc

derived from the Faith, and cour-

democracy. This is likewise true for the cus toms of a country. Society, from 1789 until now and at an alarming rate, has become ever more lev eled, heading for complete equality. At the

tesy, bom of charity, make ines-

timable spiritual values shine forth in an act that, like any sur-

Our second picture shows a corresponding scene from the

geous American defenders of

Corregidor in the Philippines sur-

^ \J

render to the Japanese,

W''

According to the pragmatic and

leveling style of our days, proto

JANUARY-FEBRUARY, 1997

between Americans and Japanese, but

express an entire doctrine of courtesy and a tradition of nobili

Second World War: The coura-

surrender. Scenes like this occur not only among other peoples as well. In his magnificent allocution to the Roman Patriciate and Nobility in 1^^4(1. Pope Pius XII said that there must be

render, is inevitably harsh and humiliating.

Vy/f

American resistance. The courtesy, the chivalry, the elevated concepts of bygone days are no longer manifested in the act of

same time, customs have become more vul

gar. Now, if we arrive at complete equality we will also arrive at complete vulgarity. And, since complete vulgarity is the reduc tion of things to their lowest expression and since matter is the lowest expression of

things, then it is toward complete material ism that the windstorm of egalitarianism is leading us.

â&#x2013;

1 ,

IHfHf

Cover Article

Drugs: A Mystical Conunion With the Devil by Thomas Becket

an apex, production in factories had become

The conventional wisdom on drugs tells us they harm our health, destroy our youth, and make the crime rate soar. But something much

fessional fulfillment. At the same time, a

more sinister lurks behind them.

it was accompanied by an extreme utilitari

Why has the conventional wisdom failed to convince young people not to poison themselves with

drugs? What do drugs offer? What need do they fulfill that our modem world fails to provide? "Just say no" may sound good as a slogan, but does it work? The last three years have seen a dou

depersonalized, resulting in a lack of pro wave of material prosperity broke over North America. This prosperity provided for man's animal needs as never before, but anism.

still forbids smoking marijuana for a headache, but as Michael Kinsley of Time put it regarding legalized marijuana: "Like

The school building where Johnny spent his youth surrounded him with bare walls and square class rooms, decorated at most

it or not, that seems to be where we're head

with a clock. Fluorescent tubes provided a

ed." Other drugs will undoubtedly follow in

cold light filtered at best through the alu minum brackets that protected the tubes

time.

Anti-drug activists argue statistics relat ed to health and society admirably. They

from the attacks of frustrated youngsters. The factory and office were little different. Cities increasingly alienated their

bling in marijuana use among eighth

leave little room for discussion on the bad

graders and a 38-percent increase among seniors. At the same time, attitudes of

effects of even mild drugs like marijuana. Attempts to present studies suggesting that

youngsters toward its use are changing. Far

drugs like LSD taken under the right condi

mechanized, massified, and inorganic. Even

fewer believe that soft drugs like marijuana

tions have no lasting bad effect are too eas ily confronted with everyday experience to convince anyone but the hard-core advo

if one could see the country, it was from a

four-lane highway at 60 mph.

much about drugs. When we did, it was inner-city crack gangs or Colombian drug

cate.

bination of the utilitarian environment and

cartels. Maybe we were just "in denial" about the drug crisis, but drugs have now

drugs, our explanations have to be a little

ter of the living room. A misguided reaction

better than rehashed prohibiiionism. They will have to address the appeal drugs have to him. The popularity of drugs cannot be explained by their mere availability. At the time when drugs became a major

to this situation followed.

are harmful or wrong. For about a decade we had not heard

returned

to our consciousness

with

vengeance. And it's not just an isolated seg ment of the population that is affected. The battle for legalized "pot" has advanced with the approval of California's Proposition 215. Federal law technically

JANUARY-FEBRUARY, 1997

To keep little Johnny from wanting

issue, the United States was the most indus

trialized country. Urbanization had reached

inhabitants from nature. In the countr\

the family farm gave way to agribusines.N

The world increasingly became a com the universe within the little box in the cen

A misguided reaction

In the sixties teenagers caught up in the counter-cultural movement experimented with hallucinogenic drugs and smoked mar-

Cover Article

adherents of various religionsâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;with one difference: Drugs would produce the effect immediately and effortlessly. For

Leary, life was a game; its purpose was to have fun, espe cially the chemically enhanced kind. Nothing was serious, including, ultimately, even death. Hinduism and cyberspace

After his expulsion from Harvard, Leary founded a psy chedelic research facility in Mexico, but the Mexicans also

later expelled him. He embraced Hinduism on a trip to India and founded the League for Spiritual Discovery (or, LSD). Leary became notorious once again in 1996 when he

Typical drug paraphernalia

ijuana. They thus rebelled against a staid generation of elders perceived to be hypocritically upholding an oppressive soci

ety and stifling their creativity. Peer groups supplanted the family, which they saw as dysfunctional. In the group, sexu al promiscuity and rock 'n' roll became synonymous with love. But there had to be a mystical experience. Religion and morality seemed platonic and irrelevant structures that pro vided a set of thou-shalt-nots and a number of rituals having no significance for their lives. The appearance of drugs seemed to satisfy the need for a

more direct experience of the "divinity." They were the "sacrament" through which, as Aldous Huxley put it in Doors of Perception, one might experience "what Catholic

theologians call 'a gratuitous grace.'" Drugs presented some thing new and exciting. They promised heaven on earth, and at first it was all so natural.

announced that he would die in a spectacular suicide on the Internet. He said: "In the 1960s we made the great discovery that the technology of organic chemistry can help change your mind. And now we're discovering that electrons and screens can make the changes rather than powders and smokeable substances"(Interview with Timothy Leary, April 4, 1996, High Times). The cyberspace experience would replace the drug experience. Leary never got to die in cyber space, for his cancer claimed him first, but he lives on in the Internet.

What happens on a trip?

The drug-induced experience that Leary and other drug advocates promise gives the user a pseudo-mystical flash that can last for hours. After a dose of LSD, the user begins to perceive things differently. Colors and forms take on greater vitality; sounds are seen, colors are heard. As the

aenvironme tandfromhimself.

drug takes over, like "an alien being, a demon, seizing pos session of oneself (Albert Hofmann, LSD, My Problem Child), the user is estranged from his At this point comes the essential experience common to the hallucino

Leary and Hofmann

gens. As the effect of the drug advances, the notion of self retreats. The will

The lure of marijuana was just the

fades. The distinction between one per

beginning. Soon the hallucinogens fol- ^4.^1

son and another deteriorates. Finally, the

distinction between the person and everything else disappears. The user

lowed. The two extremes of their use are

perhaps

best

typified

Albert

Hofmann, the father of LSD, and by HflH Timothy Leary, its apostle. Hofmann, the cold, analytical scientist, doggedly

commonly goes into a "philosophicalreligious" state where he has ms ,

about life, death, and nature. He v

pursued his scientific agenda. Leary, rebellious, easy going, and egocentric,

, say

things such as one artist said: "1 had Drug guru Timothy lothy Leary

rode the waves of the cultural-revolu

tion. Both men advocated LSD's use, Hofmann with reser

vations, Leary without. Both had first-hand experience with LSDâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;Hofmann by chance at first, then by design in "self experiments"; Leary for "research," which broke down into

orgies that quickly occasioned his dismissal as professor of psychiatry from Harvard and later landed him in jail. Raised a Catholic, Leary became a cadet at West Point

but left after being disciplined for possession of alcohol. He joined the military anyway and after World War II went into psychiatry. Central to his beliefs was the idea that drugs could provide the same mystical experiences recorded by the

experienced the grace of God. But how could it be possible that it was radiating

toward me, particularly out of a cheap lamp shade? Then the inner voice answered: God is everything" (Ibid.). Bad trip

Of course, the bad trip can always happen. But the pro moters of drugs are keen to point out that bad trips can have positive effects under controlled conditions. They even claim that hallucinogens could be taken on the deathbed where, "freed from pain in LSD ecstasy and reconciled to their fate,

they faced their earthly demise fearlessly and in peace"

CRUSADE

Cover Article

(Ibid.). One wonders from a Catholic point of view what

particular fate LSD reconciles the patient with.

Catholicism will not work either, although it helps. He needs something as radically good and powerful as Timothy Leary was evil.

Peyote Catholic Americans

Aldous Huxley also advocated drugs. He focused on the highly potent hallucinogen peyote and its active ingredient, mescalin. Unknown to many, the Native American Church, a group which claims to represent the religion of Native Americans, has full Constitutional

We Catholic Americans tend to have a minimalist

approach to our religion. Many aspects of our faith that are considered unessential are merely forgotten. We fall into the common secularist rhetoric when it comes to

protection to take peyote. This drug's effects on con sciousness are similar to those of LSD. Huxley likened his peyote trip to the realization that a Buddhist novice

great .spiritual battles they undertook and won are often

supposedly has when his master tells him that the

unknown.

"Dharma-Body," the void, the all and nothing of the

Johnny yearns for something more than the life of mere daily routine that schools prepare him for. He

Buddha, is the "hedge at the bottom of the garden."

many social and psychological issues. And we tend to

be ignorant of the examples of the great saints. The

Peyote reduces the blood sugars in the

brain, weakening the will. Self-awareness fades

with the will. This liberates the person from himself, thus creating the illusion that he is

Heroism provides the element without

some sort of substance continuous with every thing around him. Huxley believed that the " brain is an obstacle to the mind. This apparently contradictory statement can only be under stood by looking at what he thought about psychology needs an ideal. He does not care about health, comfort, and about religion, and where drugs could come in and old-age security. He is trying to satisfy the highest handy. Huxley and those like him think that man's rea impulses given him by God when he looks for a reli

which evil will seem more attractive.

son is a block that keeps him from contact with an allencompassing mind, that we need to liberate ourselves

gious experience. If he does not know where to look and

from this block.

party, should that surprise us?

Poisoning our brains with psycho-active drugs is

his friends offer him the ultimate fix at an all-night Against the demonic artifice of drugs, the usual

one way of achieving this. It is the fast-lane to wherev

thingsâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;catechism, abstinence, charity, good peers and,

er one goes with Buddhist meditation, shamanistic ritu

above all, the grace of God, without which nothing good is possible, are all essential. But heroism provides the

als and, now, New-Age religion. Under the influence of

drugs, "In the final stage of egolessness there is an

element without which evil will seem more attractive.

'obscure knowledge' that All is in all, that All is actual

This is why the Church proposes the example of the

ly each"(Huxley, Doors ofPerception).

lives of the saints to us. Holiness must be shown to be

attractive, and the saints make it so. Much of today's A wrong conception of life and religion

misery can be reduced to a lack of saintliness.

Against a promise of an intense religious experi ence, only real religious fulfillment can suffice. If drugs

we should remind ourselves that "We can do

all things in Him who strengthen

promise a direct experience of God, albeit a false

(cf. Phil. 4:13).

promise, a true understanding of God, His true religion, and the means of His Grace will deflate the promise of

Saint Joan of Arc, sculpture

immediate gratification offered by drugs. But, mere instruction does not go far enough. Words

at Chinon, France

Perhaps heroism is a great deal to ask, but

may move people, but examples draw them.

Advocates of drugs managed to project a happy-golucky, carefree image of themselves. When this could

not be sustained, the extreme revolt against nature, typ ified by the "artistic death" of a drug overdose, was the alternative. Even this had its appeal. Hedonism taken to its extreme of self-immolation by druginduced ecstasy leading to death has the ring of a mystical martyrdom.

The mere repetition of moral precepts and statis tics showing that drugs "fry your brain" will not con vince Johnny. He will continue to hang around with

friends likely to lead him to drugs. Mere Sunday

JANUARY-FEBRUARY, 1997

by Jules-Pierre Roulleau,

1997: Centenary o '1

i4boue;Therese Martin spent 11 of her 24 years in this house, known as "Les Buissonets."

by John Vidigal

It was at the end of the nineteenth century that the

daughters arrived in humble Lisieux, a place later to be

noble soul and customs of a French family of the lower bourgeois formed a great saint, Saint Therese of the Child Jesus and the Holy Face. Bom to Louis and Zelie Martin on January 2, 1873,

"Les Buissonets," where Therese would pass 11 of her 24 years. At that time, Paris boasted two million inhab

in Alengon of the province of Normandy, the child was

itants; Thomas Edison had just invented the phono

raised in virtuous surroundings, breathing from her

graph; the world delighted in the apogee of the Belle Epoqite. It was at "Les Buissonets," unknown to the

most tender years the goodness and sweetness of a truly

known around the world.

The family took up residence in a house known as

Catholic home. Possessed of a turbulent temperament,

world, where Therese, at nine years of age, received a

she later wrote in the first chapter of her autobiography.

great grace, which she called "her first conversion."

The Story of a Soul: "I realize that, with my nature

On Christmas night, she overheard her father say

such, had I been raised by parents lacking in virtue, I

that her eldest sister, Pauline, would soon leave for the

would have transformed myself into a very evil crea

Carmelite convent, so this would be her last Christmas

with the family. Stunned, Therese fled to her room

ture. I might even have fallen into etemal perdition.

in tears. Pauline had been a mother to her since

But Jesus watched over His little bride and in His

goodness managed all her defects which, jti^M

the death of Mme. Martin, so this was like

being orphaned again!

repressed in time, came to serve her in her

growth in perfection."

Notwithstanding her sorrow in this trial,

\ Therese felt that her actions were childish,

However, the little family paradise was / shaken when, on August 28. 1877, Therese, Therese Martin,

at just four years of age, witnessed the

*** 1 so she abruptly raised herself up, supHp

shown at age 15 (right), was born

departure of her devoted mother for

to Zelie and Louis

watchmaker, decided to move the family to \ HjcL the city of Lisieux, not far from Alen9on. On \

Martin (below)on January 2,1873

■ 1 pressed her tears and sadness, and W i returned to participate in the family festivities as if she knew nothing.

Heaven. Taken by sadness, her father, a

•\ .. ^

November 15 of that year, he and his five \

I Another fact of even greater importance / was to mark this innocent life. Always of / weak constitution and having endnfYi two , / successive trials since the beginning

school year in 1882, Therese fell very m on Easter Sunday of 1883. The family doctor. Dr.

Gayral, diagnosed that "the child is reacting through a nervous crisis to an affective frustration that has victimized her since the departure of her sister Pauline for Carmel." Day by day her condi

tion worsened. Then, on Pentecost, May 13, gaz-

•" t ^

• J.^

I I I

ing upon the image of Our Lady of the Smile that was near her bed, she received another great grace.

I I j I I

She tells us: "There was no help, it seemed, for poor Therese on earth; so I, too, had turned towards the statue, and all my heart went out into a prayer that my Mother in Heaven would have pity on me. All at once, she let me see her in her CRUSADE

Centenary "I feel as if I were called to be a war?i\

rior, a priest, an apostle, a doctor, a

martyr: as if I could never satisfy the needs of my nature without per-

forming, for Thy sake, every kind of heroic action at once. I feel as if I'd

got the courage to be a crusader, a

Pontifical Zouave, dying on the battle-

^ field in defense of the Church."—Saint Therese of the Child Jesus, Sept. 8, 1896

beauty, a beauty that surpassed all my experience—her face wore such a look of kindness and of pity as I can't describe;

Saddened but undaunted, our young heroine directed her request to enter the cloister to Bishop Flavien Hugonin of Bayeux, who granted her an appointment in the fall of that year. It not being permitted that a young lady of such a ten

but what pierced me to the heart was her smile, that entranc

ing smile of the Blessed Virgin's. With that, all my distress came to an end; two big tears started up from my eyes, and ran softly down my cheeks; but they were tears of joy, unadulterated joy. And I said to myself: 'To think that the

der age enter the religious life, the prelate pnidently avoided making a decision by promising to discuss the case with the priest responsible for the Carmel.

The rain that fell that fall day, October 31, aptly expressed the sadness in the soul of our young aspirant to the religious

Bles.sed Virgin should have smiled down at me! Oh, I'm so

happy! But I mustn't tell anybody about it; my happiness would disappear if I did.'"

life. She later wrote: "I see that in all the grave circum stances of my life, nature was the mirror of my soul. The sky

However, her sister Marie, who had witnessed everything kneeling by her bedside, thought to herself as she beheld her

used to weep with me on the days of tears; on the days ofjoy.

younger sister fix her gaze upon the statue, "Therese has

the sun used to send profuse and luminous beams, and the

recovered!"

blue sky was never obscured by any clouds."

Such heavenly assistance presaged a great soul. On May 29, 1887, Therese, then 14, request ed and obtained her father's permission to

Taking advantage of a pilgrimage of her parish to Rome, Therese contrived to ask the Pope himself for per mission to enter the Carmel. A Catholic journal of

follow in the footsteps of her sisters

the lime, L'Univers, reported on that Papal audi-

Pauline and Marie and enter the

ence of November 20, telling with but a few

Carmel. After having spoken with

lines of the execution of her plan: "Amongst the pilgrims there was a young lady of 15 years who asked the Holy Father permission to immediately enter the conbecome a religious." After exhoiting her to do "whatever her superiors might decide," the

her father, she had to confront her

relatives. At first they could not understand why so many sisters

should leave their already aged father and enter the convent,

but, by the grace of God, they

finally gave their consent.

H w

The first two hurdles

rese learned from her sister that

the

Holy Father, most sympathetic before such sweetness, consoled her,

A ^

having been cleared. ThePauline

■<

«||||k.'

Father

Superior of Carmel would

"WmB

not permit her to enter before she was twenty-one. So she went to speak with him direct-

• -"

f 5

ly. Though accompanied by Mr. Martin, who well championed her

case, the Father Superior flatly

jti iflW

desired differently. JANUARY-FEBRUARY, 1997

Young 14 , asks her father Young Therese, Therese,14 enter the Carmel of permission to ent Lisieux. Stefue Statue Lin the garden of Lisieux. "Les Buissonets"

Upon returning to Lisieux, she appealed again to Bi.shop Hugonin, hoping to be able to enter Carmel on

Christmas Day. But alas! Providence

would make Therese wait until January

1 for the much desired response. At last, on Tuesday, April 9, Marie-

denied permission. However,he admitted

that he was but the bishop's delegate and would have nothing to say if the bishop

saying, 'All is well, all is well; if

God wants you to enter, you will."

Frangoise Therese Martin crossed the ven erable threshold of the Carmel of Lisieux, there to pass the fi nal nine years of her life. ■ To he eontiiuied in our next i.ssue

The American TFP In Action

Cathedrals and Castles A cross-country tour with Mr. Nelson Fragelii 44

od established mysterious and marvelous relationships between certain

vjforms, appearances, and colors on the one hand, and certain states of soul on the other. Diverse ambiances may favor good or bad behavior." Mr. Nelson Fragelii, a director of the TFP Paris Bureau, made a cross-country

speaking tour during the month of January and the beginning of February. His "Cathedrals and Castles" slide

presentation focuses on how the Catholic Church shapes Christian civilization and m:

"mm

expresses her doctrine through architec

ture and art. In "Crusader of the

Twentieth Century," he discusses the life and work of Prof. Plinio Correa de

Oliveira based on the recently published Artesia, California

biographyby Prof. Roberto de Mattel.

The American TFP in Action Ii I* -a

1 m ",.LI

Lafayette, Louisiana

"Cathedrals and Castles"

• • • •

"Crusader of the Twentieth Century"

presented In:

presented In: Owensboro, Kentucky St. Louis, Missouri Hudson, Ohio Hazelton, Pennsylvania

• Lawrence, Kansas

• Washington, D.C. • St. Louis, Missouri • St. Mary's, Kansas • Anaheim, Bakersfield, & San Mateo,

California

• Alexandria & Lafayette, Louisiana • Artesia, Atascadero, Bakersfield, Monterey,

San Mateo, & Yuba City, California

TFP Washington Bureau

Lawrence, Kansas

JANUARY-FEBRUARY. 1997

Commentary

Tolerance, a Dangerous Virtue by Plinio Correa de Oliveira

In a previous article," we established

doctrinal study, let us imagine the situa

such a contingency ought first to make an examination of conscience in order to

sis, intolerance, cannot be thought of

tion of an officer who notes grave signs of agitation among his troops. He finds

as either intrinsically good or bad. In

himself faced with a dilemma: Should

own personal frame of mind may create.

that tolerance, as well as its antithe

guard himself against the snares that his

other words, there are cases in which

he punish those responsible with all the

I must say that I have witnessed the

tolerance is a duty and intolerance is an

rigor of justice, or should he treat them

greatest absurdities regarding this matter

evil. And there are other times in which tolerance is evil and intolerance is a

with tolerance? The second solution

throughout my life, almost all of them

begets a range of other questions: In

leading to excessive tolerance. The evils

duty.

what measure and manner should toler

of our epoch have their present alarming character because there is generalized sympathy in relation to them, a sympa

We return to the subject now not to

further develop the basic principles we have already expounded, but to show the

risks of tolerance as well as the precau tions necessary for its practice. Let us remember, before anything else, that all tolerance, as necessary and legitimate as it may be, has inherent

ance be practiced? By applying mild punishments? By not applying them, but summoning those responsible and gen tly advising them to change their atti tude? To feign ignorance of the situa tion? To begin perhaps with the most benign of these solutions and succes

thy that even those who combat them

frequently share.

For example, many people oppose divorce. But among these are found numerous people who, although against divorce, have an excessively sentimental

risks. In short, tolerance consists in per

sively apply the others in the measure that the more persuasive or mild solu

mitting one evil to exist so as to avoid a greater evil. Now, it follows that the

tions show themselves insufficient? What is the exact moment in which one

consider problems

unpunished existence of evil always cre ates danger, for evil tends necessarily to

should discard one procedure and adopt

tal situation among some friends, these

another more severe?

"anti-divorcists" judge it super-human,

These are questions that

J^^^^W^Hmay forcefully confront military officers, but they

^^ffHjjTJ^Bmay likewise confront anyone invested with a

K^^^^^^fposition of command or ■■■■■^^Iresponsibility in civil life ^^^^^^^fand clearly conscious of ^^^^^^^fhis obligations. What produce evil effects. Moreover, it is undeniably seductive. Thus, there is the risk that tolerance of itself bears even

greater evils than those one desires to

forestall by its practice. We must keep this aspect in mind, for our entire study rotates around it.

To avoid the aridity of an exclusively

spiritual makeup. Consequently, they born of "love"

romantically, In face of a difficult mari

not to say inhuman, to exact of this inno

cent and unhappy couple that they reject the possibility of "starting over" (which means killing their souls through Hypocritically, they will pi being "sorry about" what happened, but if one were to bring up the problem of tolerance, they will have a whole edifice

built up inside for justifying the most

father of a family, depart

extreme and abeirant concessions. Thus,

ment manager, company director, pro

they will comment on what took place

fessor, or leader has not faced these

with softness, will invite the "newly-

questions? How many evils did they avoid by resolving them with perspicac ity and vigor of soul? And how many

weds" over, visit them, and so forth.

That is, they will favor divorce by their example while condemning it by their

evils had they to grapple with for failing

words. Clearly, with such conduct on the

to apply judicious solutions in situations they encountered?

part of thousands or millions of oppo

In truth, one who finds himself in

nents of divorce, divorce has much more to gain than to lose.

CRUSADE

The evils of our epoch have their present alarming character because there is generalized sympathy in relation to them, a sympathy that

Commentary How did ihey come to the decision to tolerate such an evil as this gnawing can

cer of the family? Because deep down they had a pro-divorce mentality. Let us not stop here. Let us have the courage to say the whole truth. Modem

° even those who combat them

man abhors asceticism. He is averse to

anything that exacts of his will the effort of saying "no" to his sentiments. He finds the restraint of moral principles odious. The daily struggle against the passions seems to him a Chinese torture.

frequently share. Only after such an examination of conscience can a person confront the hard

Because of this, modem man, even

alternative of tolerance or intolerance.

when gifted with good principles, is exag geratedly complacent, and not only

certain of taking, in relation to himself,

Without such examination, one cannot be

Let us not lose sight of the fact that on

this point we, according to the primary impulses of our egoism, quite often find that God is a third party. Hence, we are much more inclined to pardon an offense

the necessary precautions to avoid sin ning through excessive tolerance. In general, there is some very fitting

committed against the Church than one

There are entire legions of parents and teachers who for this very reason are

excessively indulgent towards their chil

advice for those who find themselves

interests.

towards those who are divorced.

against ourselves, to endure a violation of God's rights than a violation of our own

dren and students. And the choms they

faced with such an alternative. Everyone

In general, this is the stale of spirit of

sing is always the same: "Poor so-and-

has particular bad tendencies that have

hyper-tolerant Catholics. Their language

so..." Poor so-and-so, indeed, for he is

lazy, takes ill the admonitions of his

taken root within him. This one is apathet ic, that one is violent, another is ambi

is imaginative, soft, and sentimental. They only know how to argue—if one can

elders, filches snacks, frequents bad com

tious, yet another is cynical, and so forth.

call this arguing—with their heart. In

pany, watches immoral films, and so on.

We need not have much fear of sinning

relation to the enemies of the Church,

And since he is "poor so-and-so," he

through excessive tolerance as long as this

rarely receives the benefit of a rigorous punishment. The fruits are there for all to

tolerance exacts victory over our most

deep-rooted bad tendency. But as long as

they are full of illusions, complaisance, courtesy, and expressions of affection. But they are terribly offended if a

see. There are thousands, millions, of

tolerance gratifies our bad inclinations, let

zealous Catholic causes them to see that

moral disasters occasioned by excessive tolerance. "He that spareth the rod hateth

us open our eyes, for the risk is grave. Thus, if we are apathetic, we will

they are sacrificing the rights of the Church. And, in place of arguing doctri-

his son: but he that loveth him correcteth

probably not sin through excessive toler

nally, they transpose the subject to the

him betimes," teach the Scriptures (Prov. 13:24). But in our days, who wants to

ance toward a friend who rouses us to

personal terrain. "Are you saying that I

action: There is nothing more sticky, nothing harder to catch, nothing more choleric than a lazy man contradicted in his lethargy. If we are irascible, we do not

am lukewarm? That I don't know perfect

hear it?

Now,the same takes place, mutatis mutandi, between certain kinds of managers and workers, since the managers, as paganized as their subordinates, feel that if they were

workers they would be rebellious too. And such examples continue to multi

ply in every field of life. Clearly this tolerance is founded upon

all kinds of pretexts—exaggerating the risk of using excessive force or the possi bility of things taking care of themselves, people closing their eyes to the dangers of impunity, and so on and so forth. In reality, all this would be avoided if the soul faced

with the decision of

ly well what I have to do? Are you doubt ing my wisdom? My courage?" The chest heaves, the face reddens, the eyes brim

run much risk of exaggerated tolerance

with tears, and the voice takes on a cer

toward those who harm us. If we are sen

tain tone. Watch out, for this hyper-toler

sual, it is improbable that we will show

ant soul is nearing the apex of a crisis of

ourselves excessively rigorous in the mat

intolerance.

ter of sleeves and low necklines. And if

we have a servile spirit as regards public

One can expect any violence, any injustice, and any one-sided thing from

opinion, only with difficulty will we over

such a soul. This, because his facade of

step ourselves in hurling invectives against the errors of our century.

secondary values—orthodoxy, purity ol

Likewise, it is advisable to have greater fear regarding our own weakness

on this point, particularly when the rights of third parties and not ours are in ques

tolerance exists only when insipid aiu the Faith, the rights of the Church—are in question. Everything changes when his little self enters the .scene. Behold him

disposed to cast into Hell those who pro voke him—even from afar—to indigna

Do 1 have unconfessed sympathies

tion, thus preventing ourselves from sin ning through excessive tolerance. We are habitually much more "under standing" regarding the plights of others.

towards this evil? Am I afraid of the

We more easily pardon the thief who

tolerance, in cases where it is just, ought

stmggle intolerance will bring? Am I too

robbed our neighbor than the one who

to be practiced.

lazy to make the effort that an attitude of intolerance would impose upon me? Do I seek personal advantages of any kind in an accommodating attitude?

broke into our own house. And we are

whether or not to use tolerance were

capable, out of humility, of being suspi cious of itself.

JANUARY-FEBRUARY, 1997

tion like that which Saint Michael had towards the devil: "Who is like unto me?"

We will see in a following article how ■

more disposed to recommend that injuries be forgotten than to practice this virtue ourselves.

* Crusade, November-December, 1996.

Maria's life had been ruled by ber p-eat.devotion to the

Sacred Heart, a precious inheritancefrom ber parents. /

She corresponded to this grace with ber

whole being and, before going to ber eternal reward. Our Lord

bad one more missionfor ber .on this earth, the consecration

ofthe world to His Sacred Heart

All photos courtesy ol CongregaUon of the Sisters of the Good Shepherd. MOnster

Prophets, Martyrs, Saints and Heroes

Maria Droste zu Vischering by Michelle Taylor

To make a painting "work" an artist

siastical associations and served in the

ones. He cannot be afraid of contrast.

silent forests and a profusion of flowers. Every so often, a great feudal castle above an aquamarine lake would greet our

If he wishes to set off a white rose, for

eyes and carry them onto numerous small

Center Party, which was then the only party

example, he will paint it amidst dark shad

cottages surrounded by grazing sheep and cattle. Again, a noble manor of imposing architecture would appear, then another and another. For Westphalia was home to the

for Catholics of conviction in Protestant

must use dark shades as well as light

ows. Looking at the finished painting, the viewer will perceive only the beauty of the rose, overlooking the shadows. The life of the Church and Christian civ

most illustrious and ancient families of

ilization seems composed of these great con trasts. It has always known how to bring "opposites" together, combining them in perfect Gothic arches that meet and soar upward,leaving us with a deep sense of awe. Thus, when we see charity amidst extreme indigence, we delight. When we

Germany,each having its ancient castle nes tled in that beautiful panorama and steeped in history. Our imaginary camera would then focus on Darfeld, a castle of truly majestic pro portions and princely splendor. Darfeld pos sessed among its beautiful rooms a precious

see justice extending a hand to mercy, we

chapel that housed the Lord of Heaven and

bow our heads in reverence. When we see

Earth as its Guest of Honor. This was the home of Count Clemens Droste zu Vische

nobility alongside poverty we exclaim, how beautiful! When we see purity ministering to dissolution, we wonder if an angel hasn't decided to tarry on this earth a while. This is the life of such an angel in

ring and his wife. Countess Helene von

Blessed Maria of the Divine Heart was

in temporal society Countess Maria Droste

zu Vischering. This is not only her story but the story of the family who gave this white

rose to God. Beautiful flowers spring from well prepared soils, and hers was a magnif icent flower bed.

The Droste zu Vischerings belonged to the oldest and finest nobility of Germany. Theirs was a name distinguished not only before men but also before God, for, throughout history, they were tireless and fearless defenders of the Faith.

Westphalia Were this article a movie, it would start

with an aerial view of the region of Westphalia in northeast Germany. We would look for a few delightful moments at a beautiful expanse of green meadows and

JANUARY-FEBRUARY, 1997

German Parliament as a member of the

Prussia. Count Droste had been one of the

founders of the movement, which offered

valiant opposition to Bismarck and his onslaught against the Catholic Church in

northern Germany. The Droste zu Vischering and von Galen families both numbered among their members many bish ops and archbishops who fought valiantly and indomitably for the interests of the Catholic Church throughout the history of northern Germany. At age five. Count Clemens had wit nessed with intense interest the storm

caused within his family by the arrest of his great-uncle, the Archbishop of Cologne,

Galen, and their five girls and two boys,

who would not bend to the government's

including Maria and her twin brother

pressure on religion. The Count records in

Maximilian.

human flesh, whose veins carried the bluest

blood of Europe and whose mission on earth was ministering to the most fallen of humanity.

He belonged to several public and eccle

Maria's father

Maria's first reference to her father in

her autobiography describes him as a man of "an extraordinary piety." What beautiful fortune for a family, one that attracts abun dant blessings and graces of religious con viction upon it. Count Clemens, a man at once serene,

strong-willed, and full of good humor, radi ated the calm that is allied with true peace. He enjoyed perfect health, the reward of a

strictly regulated and simple life that found him celebrating his ninetieth birthday with

his private notes that this experience pro foundly impressed him, stirring him to a wholehearted and lifelong struggle for the "rights and total freedom of the Church." Later, in 1870, when Bishop John Bernard Brinkmann of Munich was impris oned, the noble gentleman considered it a

point of honor to accompany the prelate from Munich to the prison in Warendorf. When the bishop was later released Count Clemens stood at the prison gate wi stive carriage for the return to Munich. His private life of piety included half an hour of daily meditation, unfailing atten dance every two years in the exercises of Saint Ignatius, and a most special devotion

youthful vigor. On August 5, 1858, he married Countess

to the Sacred Heart of our divine Savior.

Helene von Galen. After 60 years of mar

tells us in his memoirs: "It was a spectacle for men and angels to see the old Count immersed in prayer, the image of a perfect

riage, she said of him that he never ceased to be a perfect gentleman. She also related that he was not only a perfect husband and

father, with a keen interest in the upbringing of his children and the management of the

The chaplain of the castle of Darfeld

and intimate union with God. The people of Darfeld often saw their Count in this sub

family's properties, but also an outstanding

lime attitude, oblivious to all around him, in ecstasies, perfectly still for hours on end

public figure.

without a book or any other help."

Prophets, Martyrs, Saints and Heroes Such was Maria's father. If today the Church has declared the daughter Blessed, a

only did she conquer me to this devotion while we were courting, but she also intro

Yes, this noble lady had found the gold en key to the only way to happiness here on

this earth. She placed her entire family

glory to all Christendom, it is no wonder:

duced it in the chapel and house in Darfeld.

"Her foundations are in the holy moun tains"(cf. Ps. 86:1).

Later, she convinced the parish priest to

within the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Who,two

introduce it in town."

Maria's mother

Countess Helene was a grand dame. Greatly cultured, she could converse on any

centuries earlier, had given His divine word to Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque, a humble nun in France: "Wherever an image of my

Worthy of this father was his wife, a daughter of Count Mathias von Galen and

artistic. Hers was a clear intelligence and a

Sacred Heart is placed there will be harmo ny.... They will receive all necessary graces

vivacious, energetic temperament.

for their state in life."

Baroness Ana de Ketteler. The ecclesiastic

No believer in idleness, she taught her children that their nobility did not in any

was to offer one of her daughters to God.

subject, philosophical, social, religious, or

element predominated in this family: Two of her three brothers were priests, and one

One of Countess Helen's great desires

way exclude the obligation of hard work.

The king of Heaven could not resist such

was consecrated a bishop. Countess Helene spent the last year of

"Idleness," she taught, "is the great danger among us.... God asks of us something dif

good servants. Taking the hand of one of her daughters. He gave her His name: Maria of

her education with the sisters of the Sacred

ferent. We must also work. Dear children,

the Divine Heart.

Heart in Blumenthal. There she developed a

please write in your hearts that only those

I twins.Al their lves thes two, Maria's childhood

and youth

The good Countess and her husband had planned a pilgrimage to a shrine of Our Lady on September 8, 1863. The trip was never made, for on that very afternoon she gave birth to Maximilian and Maria, , were to

remain very close even though God's

Urti

Providence was to lead them differ

i:a

ent ways.

Pi;-

Maria's nanny described her as vivacious, joyful, and extremely

charming. She was always running, jumping, and playing like a small whirlwind. Everything about her was so gracious and enchanting that it worried her mother a little. Although sincere, loyal, and extremely affec

tionate, she also had her temper. At times, in fits of anger, she would scratch her brothers and sisters, and thus earned the nickname "kitten."

The Droste family home in Miinster

Later in life she would have to offer

many a battle to that temper.

strong and tender devotion to the Sacred

who work will be rewarded...."

Besides playing and sludyin;

Heart, which was to be the powerful beacon illuminating not only her path in life but

And she counseled her five daughters never to give in to the spirit of frivolity and

also, through her, that of her whole family. A few years after returning from

worldliness: "Every woman and Christian

also began to develop her beautiful, >en soul, for as she grew up. she readily absorbed the Faith that permeated her sur

daughter must carry the religious message

roundings.

the chapel of her parents' home. She had

by her influence. Yes, they must be the start ing point for good in their families.... God

won Count Clement over to a devotion to

grants marvelous blessings to the feminine

the Sacred Heart of Jesus prior to their wed ding. He writes of her regarding this: "The

with the Count and his entire family and household in attendance. And every June saw special preparations there for celebrat

which was engraved deeply in Helene's soul, was the means by which she sought to sanctify herself, her family, her household,

members of the family. If these are truly good, all of the household will be good; their beauty must reside in the .spirit as it was in the Virgin Mary. Everything must be illuminated by this interior light." Further,

she taught all of them, "May you always

and as far as her influence could reach in the

follow the truths of the Catechism over and

region. She made constant progress. Not

above all earthly human guidance!"

the altar, and an imposing, almost life-size statue of Our Lord pointing to His heart would be enshrined to preside over all the

Blumenthal, she married Count Clement in

devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus,

Darfeld's beautiful chapel contributed to the blessed atmosphere of the ca.stle. Every Sunday the Holy Mass was celebrated there,

ing the month dedicated to the Sacred Heart. A profusion of flowers would adorn

CRUSADE

h â&#x2013; v; ' â&#x2013;

I:- ' . .; *'

' Jrir'^r^.i >r/

;r The Droste family In 1877. Maria, right and standing with Max above, was then 14.

devotions. This always made a special

approached, she hoped with all her soul

impression on the small girl.

that He would grant her the grace of a reli gious vocation. But the day came and went

Living in the same house with the Blessed Sacrament, Maria learned to love that Divine Presence, and she could never

and, seemingly, nothing happened. About

separate the Sacred Heart from the Holy

ment of Confirmation, again hoping to hear

Eucharist. Gazing at the host in the mon

God's call. This time Our Lord did not dis

two months later, she received the sacra

strance, her mind's eye saw Him in the posi

appoint her. In her autobiography she

tion of that statue since He was truly present

relates: "Immediately after being con

there and His Divine Heart beat within Him.

firmed, I felt the grace of the vocation rising in me, and I never lost it. It grew with me little by little." Maria also speaks of the happiness she always felt in being a daughter of the Holy Catholic Church. She cites her father's trip

was also persecuted. All of these events increased in us our enthusiasm for Holy

to Rome for the Vatican Council as well as

honor of the Feast of the Presentation of

the Kulturkompf, the persecution launched by the government against Catholicism in northern Germany, as contributing "to

Mary in the temple, November 21, she felt

She also developed a deep and tender devo

tion to His most holy Mother, who guided her all her life.

Inklings of a religious vocation As a flower absorbs the sun, Maria,

under the warmth of that Sun, began to open

Church and her ministers." When Maria was about fiftec.

Lord began to prepare her to leave her lamily for the religious life. During a sermon in

communication with Him. This was later to

known and loved since I was very small

become more explicit, for she would actual

were expelled. The bishop was imprisoned amidst great demonstrations of veneration on the part of the faithful and then, in the

strongly that the priest, expounding on the word.s, "Love the Lord thy God with all thy heart," was addressing her. Hearing this, she felt that God wanted her heart entirely to Himself. "I must become a religious," she thought. Then she hesitated: "All these peo ple hear the same words, yet they do not feel compelled to enter a convent." But. she continues, "it was Impossible for me to

end, obliged to go into exile. Many parishes were left without their pastors. My father

resist the voice of God, and that day was decisive for me; that day Our Lord began to

her heart to Him. Somehow, she seemed to

have an extra ear for things divine. Slowly

increase my devotion for the Holy Church.

Our Lord began to manifest Himself to her in a mystical way by which she entered into

The priests of the Company of Jesus and the

ly "hear" His voice within her. Already at her First Communion with her brother Max in 1875, she wished to

belong solely to Our Lord. As the great day

JANUARY-FEBRUARY, 1997

greater part of the religious orders that I had

Prophets, Martyrs, Saints and Heroes attract me to Himself in a special manner,

them once could never forget them."

making me understand more and more that He wanted me solely for Himself, thus

So many natural and supernatural quali ties naturally attracted the attention of the young men of her society and she, quite

were overjoyed, having all their lives cher ished the hope of offering one of their daughters to God. But God's ways are not exactly our ways. Maria had still to wait a few years before entering a convent. Around the year

stealing away my heart." "Thenceforth, I began to work at detach ing myself from creatures, and I felt very

"walked" before her, and she never lost

happy in Our Lord's love. Once in a while grace would make itself felt more strongly

led her on. Thus she says:"It gave me a cer

1884, she obtained permission to make a vow of chastity. She now felt that she was

and that gentle battle would continue: Our

tain pleasure to notice how, at certain balls,

truly a spouse of her Lord, but she contin

Lord asking me for my heart; I trying to rec oncile my love for Him with my love for

some young men, especially one, were

creatures."

As all this was developing, no one else had the faintest clue of it. Our Lord carried

out His special work in her privileged soul, but outwardly she remained the ever-viva cious, game-loving girl. "No one ever had any suspicion about me because I was the same as before: a great friend of games,

jumping, singing, going for rides with my parents, brothers, and sisters on buggies pulled by donkeys or horses."

human, was pleased by it. But her vocation sight of the bright star of God's choice that

ued her life at home.

very attentive to me. I felt the temptation to give in and allow

Maria describes this life:"At

home, we led a very regular life. We had Mass everyday, and I received Com-

the fire that consumed my heart with the love of my

munion three times

Lord to cool. But He did not

abandon His bride and

â&#x201E;˘"

week. We had our medi-

gave me courage to over-

tation and reading with

come every temptation

our parents, a rosary in common and, during the day, we did house-

and to keep my heart free of all human affection.

May He be praised for

work. Mother demanded

that we learn everything necessary for the running

In 1878 her brothers were sent to the

Tyrol to study with the Jesuits. In 1879 Maria followed, sent to study with the Sisters of the Sacred Heart in Riedenburg.

Despite proving herself an excellent stu dent, she had difficulty in adapting to acad emic life and mingling with the other girls,

**You shall be My spouse."

of a house. We were all

very close and my parents

never interfered in our pious

When she was about 21, on the

|y Maria at 21

exercises and in our works of charity. The chapel was always our greatest joy. At that time I

day of the Sacred Heart, while pray ing before His statue and the exposed

owing to her strong attachment to her fami

Blessed Sacrament, she heard His voice

was music director, and it was a great con

ly and the land of her birth. She missed both enormously, but the .second year found her

solation for Father to listen to us in the

family. She also resumed her social life. It is

clearly within her for the first time: "You shall be My spouse." A little later, again on a November 21, she attended a ceremony of the taking of the habit and heard these words from the priest: "Hearken, O daughter, and see. and incline thy ear, and forget thy people and thy

fitting here to describe our young Countess to have an idea of how she impressed those

father's hou.se. And the king shall greatly desire thy beauty" (Ps. 44:11). At these

certainly the reason why Our Lord has

making a true effort to overcome the diffi culty.

After completing school, Maria returned home and resumed her beloved life with her

chapel. Those were truly happy years and much blessed by the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

"We knew nothing of the ways of the world and its evils. Not only my parents but also my two brothers watched over our innocence as true guardian angels. That is always blessed them so much.

"I watched my heart closely so as not to

"We knew nothing of the ways of the world and its evils. Not only my parents hut also my two brothers watched over our innocence as true guardian angels."

allow any human love to sneak in by which [love] I thought virginity was lost. As I loved this virtue above all, I wanted to keep

it always, for it was the means myself to my Divine Spouse."

unite

For some time the young Counie>> had

been suffering from poor health. This was an impediment to entering the religious life, so she resigned herself and let the Divine

Sculptor chisel away. But as she advanced, she felt the need for further recollection,

around her at this time. Her appearance, her absolutely winning cordiality, and her

words, she saw her life mapped out for her and had no more doubts. At the end of the

and finally obtained permission from her parents and her confessor to live a secluded

sparkling jollity endeared her to all. A per-

ceremony she spoke of these things for the

life in her own home. Her room became a

.son who knew her well de.scribes her: "Tall

first time

cell and she drew up a daily schedule of

and elegant, she irradiated a natural distinc

Immediately recognizing her vocation, he

prayer, meditation, and work.

tion and great charm. The supreme beauty of her fine face resided especially in her

encouraged her in it. About a year later, on the day of her par

Sisters of the Sacred Heart. This was hard

large, dark blue eyes. They had so much

ents' anniversary, she revealed to them her

for Maria, still suffering from bad health

expression and depth that anyone who saw

intention of becoming a religious. They

and unable to follow them. At the same

the

officiating

priest.

In 1887, two of her cousins joined the

CRUSADE

Prophets, Martyrs, Saints and Heroes time, she did not feel called to that institute. She

knew Our Lord did not want her to join a strictly contemplative order but one that would be both con templative and activeâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;but which?

final vows. To her immense joy and in obvious Divine confinnation of her vocation, she was given the name of Maria of the Divine Heart.

Her family was still able to visit her there. But when Max one day announced to her that he was to

Sister of the Good Shepherd

be married, she knew Our Lord would now complete the separation by sending her far from Germany.

The year 1888 found Maria's health improving. She was now 25 years old. One day, while on a visit

Max, until then still dependent on her company,

to the sick at the hospital of Darfeld, her future took

Lord had given him a replacement. She had

was her last link to the world, but now Our

a definite turn. While ministering to the infirm, she

wished for this consummation of her sac-

came upon a young girl who had given scandal by her conduct. Conquering her natural repugnance, Maria focused all her attention and care upon the unfortunate girl. This was her first effort at perform ing the task of a Sister of the Good Shepherd.

rifice, wanting to hold nothing back

This order had been founded a few decades

before by another angel in the flesh, a young French

girl who in the world had been Rose Virginia Pelletier, and in religion, Maria Euphrasia, later

raised to the altars as Saint Maria Euphrasia Pelletier. The order of the Good Shepherd had as its main goal the rehabilitation of fallen girls and women.

After that day at the hospital, the young Countess

from Him.

Her superiors had not failed to notice Maria's great capacity for gov-

^ '

emment and organization. As she had

foreseen, soon after Max's wedding she was sent to Portugal as assistant to the Mother Superior of the house in Lisbon. Only a few months later, the greatest and final cross of her life

was placed on her young shoulders: She

was appointed superior of the Good Shepherd community in Porto, in the north

of Portugal.

went to pray before the Bles.sed Sacrament in the

Hers was the mission to bring this agonizing

parochial church of Darfeld. Suddenly the thought crossed her mind like a clear ray of lightning: "You

community, almost closed because of destitution,

mustjoin the Good Shepherd." Her specific vocation

the blood of warriors and servants of the Church

had been defined.

now spoke loudly in her veins and she proved equal to it. Mother Maria proved herself so capable and worldly-wise that all classes of society in Porto soon sought her at the locutory of the Good Shepherd as

Maria entered the convent of the Good Shepherd in Munich in 1888, on another November 21.

Maria's family accompanied her to the convent. Her parents made the sacrifice joyfully, like Joachim and Anna, accepting it as the greatest honor God could

back to life. From the start it was no easy project, but

The mission cost her her health. Diagnosed with

an inflammation of the spine and partially para

feast of the Presentation, seems to have wanted to

lyzed, she was confined to bed. But from

emphasize this similarity. For Maria's affectionate nature the separation,

there continued to see to everything, neglecting nothing and no one. She was

especially from her twin brother, was a true martyr

a true, tender, firm, and loving mother to all those placed in her charge. One day she was visited by a priest, a Father Freitas. He, im-

strength and joy at finally reaching her goal. Her great love for God prevailed and her great wish to be totally united to His Sacred Heart made every sacri

how he was specially touched by

fice seem small.

and her total concern for him and

She knew that a true spouse of Christ must be crucified with Him and that she had been chosen to

her reluctance to speak of herself

his apostolate. At one point he mentioned how sorry he was to see her in

such a state of health and immobility

Church. And her desire for suffering increased with

and said he would ask Our Lord to cure

her love: "I always suffered for not being able to suf

her.

Regarding the penitent girls and women placed

pressed with her sanctity, recounts

suffer for the salvation of souls and the good of the

fer more."

%'MbB

"She answered me immediately with

of never having difficulties with them; and if I pre

such 'virile' resolution that it took me by sur prise. 'Don't ask," she said. "I beg you not to ask for this. 1 do not complain. I wish for nothing else but to

ferred any, they were always the most unhappy and

be as I am. Ask Him only that His Will be done.

repugnant."

Nothing more.'" Before taking Maria to her eternal reward, Our

in her care, she says: "Our Lord gave me the grace

She spent about four years in the convent in Munich, where she made her novitiate and took her

JANUARY-FEBRUARY, 1997

VIscherIng, Maria's father

a friend and counselor.

do them. And He, receiving their daughter on the

dom. She candidly writes in her autobiography that she missed Max so much that she cried each night for four years. Nevertheless, she felt an interior

Count Clemens Droste zu

Lord entrusted her with one more mission, conso-

Countess Helena von Galen, Maria's mother

Prophets, Martyrs, Saints and Heroes nant with her life-long devotion to His Sacred Heart. Three times He spoke to her,

instnicting her to write to Pope Leo XIII to ask him to formally consecrate the entire

J^or^otten

world to His Heart.

Her letter is a true masterpiece. We can

quote only a few brief passages. It may seem strange that the Savior wishes the consecration of

the whole world and not only that of

Parents who fail to educate their

the Catholic Church. Nevertheless,

so ardent is His desire to reign, to be loved and glorified, and to set all

children well are more cruel

hearts on fire with His love and

mercy, that He wishes Your Holi

than parricides

ness to bring Him the hearts of all those who belong to Him by holy

baptism, thus facilitating their

God punishes in this life the

daughters, but little for their con

who have not yet received the spiri

children whose parents neglected to educate them. In the

sciences. Rather than prohibiting vain and sensual reading, worldly

tual life through baptism, but for

life to come He punishes the par

adornments, dances, comedies,

whom He sacrificed life and blood, and who, therefore, are also called

ents for their children's crimes.

and immoderate conversations,

No other art may be compared to that of educating children. One needs rare virtues and extraordi

they stimulate them, sometimes to the point of compulsion. What are you doing with your

nary qualities to succeed at it.

family,if not laboring for the edu

entrance into the true Church. He also desires the hearts of all those

to become children of Holy Church, so that by this they may be reborn to the spiritual life.... [Our Lord] told me that He pro

longed the days of Your Holiness so as to grant yet this grace to you [of making this consecration]. After having accomplished this desire of His Heart, then Your Holiness

should prepare yourself...and He added, "In my Heart...he will find consolation...a

secure

haven

death and in judgment."

Parents must not only love their

cation of your children? This is

children, but love them above all

the one thing you are obliged to

things, giving God alone the pref

do. It is in this that God wants to

erence of their love.

Parents who do not take good care of their children's education

be served. For this He established

Christian marriage, and for this

will He ask an accounting.

are more cruel than parricides. The latter but separate the body from the soul; the former delivers

Saint Claude de le

both the body and the soul to the

Colombi^re

Leo XIII set a triduumâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;June 9-11,

devil. There are mothers who care

1899â&#x20AC;&#x201D;for this solemn ceremony, in which all the cathedrals and parish churches of

very well for the fame of their

(Ecrits Spirituels, Paris, 1962, pp. 317-321)

the world were to participate. And so it was done.

But the day before, June 8, at three in

the afternoon, after a long and most painful

She was just 36 years old. "In a short

sickness, Maria of the Divine Heart surren

life she accomplished a long career," for

dered her soul to her Beloved Spouse.

she gave her hand to Him Who promises, "I shall be your reward immensely great."

Two hours earlier, her confessor, not

thinking her end so imminent, had asked

her if she had ever wished to die on a par ticular day. She answered: "I had always the wish to die, and always asked it of Our Lord, either on a First Friday or on the feast of the Sacred Heart." "Rejoice then," answered her confessor,"perhaps you shall be heard and shall have the joy to attend this beautiful feast day in Heaven."

Epilogue Pope Leo XIII received Count Clement and Countess Helene in Rome in May of that year, less than a month before their daughter departed for eternity. The

very important that I know," he said, "so that I may have the certainty that Goi; municated with her." Her paums answered: "Yes, Holy Father, she was always so. The world never had a way in her heart." They told him more about her and the special graces she had received

throughout her life. The Holy Father told them what he had decided to do and how Maria had had a

most important role in it. "Write to her," he

Countess left an account of this.

said, "and tell her this. Tell her that 1 have taken this resolution because of what she

in Heaven and observed the whole world

The Pope already had Maria's letter in his possession, and, as they spoke, Leo XIII eagerly asked about their daughter,

being offered to the Divine Heart through

how she had been in her youth and if she

the hands of His Vicar on earth.

had always been "good and innocent." It is

send her my special blessing. I bless her with both of you at my feet." â&#x2013;

Maria was heard. She attended the feast

told me, and that I expect great graces for the world as a result.... And tell her that I

CRUSADE

History a reservoir of troops for the expanding army,instead of treating them as subjugated

Basic Histmy Course

people. Political unification was further promoted by a system of roads, and local customs gradually gave way to the Latin language and Roman law. Several Greek cities remained at the

southern end of the peninsula. But since

Weste

they disagreed among themselves, as usual,

iIVlLIZATION

they surrendered one by one to the Romans. Only two rivals remained: Rome and

Carthage. by Jeremias Wells

CHAPTER

SEVEN

World Empires Prepare the Way for the Word of God

The Republic, aristocracy, and the family

At the time when the wars with Carthage began during the middle of the third centu

ry B. C., Rome had reached the high-water mark of political morality and social order distinguished by the aristocracy and family. At the end of the wars, a decline set in that

reached degeneration by the time of Julius

Part II

Caesar. We should not ascribe to the Roman

Roman Aristocratic

republic our modem understanding of the term, for the real power lay with a core of

Republic

the leading families who ran the govern

We are arriving at

ment, commanded the armies, and staffed

Roman expansion in Italy

Rome and the Western world. The principle

the culmination of all ancient his

tory, which is the Incarnation

While the march of human development

officials of state were the two consuls who

progressed in the Near East and the eastern

served one year-terms under the guiding policy of the senate, which also controlled financial and foreign affairs.

and the last major element in

Mediterranean, Western Europe remained

the development of Western

an obscure, backward region. In fact, when

Civilization. The civilization

Athens, early in the fifth century B. C., was

that grew up on the banks of the Tigris and the Euphrates and moved along the Grecian

preparing for its great victories over the Persian Empire, Rome was reduced to little more than a group of agricultural villages

shores of the Eastern Mediterranean, will

now be enhanced by the Romans and

the senate, thus shaping the destiny of

What limited control the urban elec

torate had in its voting assemblies was

weighted heavily in favor of wealth, rank, and age, yet these were still outnumbered

Europe. At the time of this great cultural

and was in danger of losing its indepen dence altogether to its Latin neighbors. Three dominant powers, the Carthaginians,

transfer, Jesus Christ, the God-man, was

the Greeks, and the Etruscans, none of

born of the Virgin Mary in an obscure vil

whom were originally native to the area,

authority and the attitude of selfless sacri

fice to the needs of the community ^vcre based on respect for the family ai.

extended to the barbaric peoples of Western

by the small agricultural landowners. The property-less city masses counted for very little.

The natural Roman respect for lawful

lage in a remote section of the Roman

battled for the supremacy of the Western

Empire. The great climax of man's fall,

seas. Yet, nevertheless, the insignificant lit

God's loving covenant with the Patriarchs

tle city of Rome would emerge and conquer

paterfamilias. The latter, an affectioiuuo

and man's attempt at establishing the mate

all of its more civilized neighbors.

father and a husband with a strict moral

will find its

The Etruscans stumbled first, due, at

fruition in the "fullness of time" during the empire of Caesar Augu.stus.

rial means for civilization

least in part, to their enjoyment of the delights of luxury. By contrast, the Romans throughout the two-hundrcd-year struggle

The unification and internal pacification

code, made the decisions reserved today

only for civil authorities. This strong patri archal system allowed the powerful families

of the then-known civilized world under the

relied on their numerous and hardy peas

to maintain their influence which, in turn, protected the customs and values of civi

first Roman emperor will provide the back

antry led by a hard-bitten and tenacious aristocracy.

Greece.'

drop for the regeneration of the human race.

Looking at history from the viewpoint of Divine Providence, it is safe to say that only Divine power could bring forth the fruit of

Christian civilization from the disparate ele ments of Jewish prophetism, Roman law, and Greek philosophy.

JANUARY-FEBRUARY, 1997

Rome then absorbed her Latin neighbors through a combination of fierce battles and

adroit diplomacy. The advancing Romans, always gifted in the art of government, bestowed citizenship on the conquered tribes, thus making them valuable allies and

lization much longer in Rome than in Throughout the expansion of Rome an internal struggle took place between the

patricians of the older families and the ple beians who pressed for admittance to the

higher offices. This conflict is usually exag gerated by socialist-minded historians who

History enjoy seeing class warfare in all disputes,

Mediterranean. When the Phoenician cities

one last attack and finally defeated the

but, nevertheless, it had serious potential for

succumbed to the Assyrians, Carthage

equally exhausted Carthaginians. As a

gained its independence and built up a pow

result Rome extended her frontiers to

erful commercial empire. Trading, not fighting, occupied its time. The Cathaginians preferred to hire mercenaries

include Sicily, Corsica, and Sardinia, col

division.

Only a man with strong backing from the old families could succeed in political life because the citizens paid great respect

to the prestige of their elders and also to ancestral custom. However, without pro voking violent revolution, the old patrician

to do their fighting, a serious drawback in a closely contested battle. In contrast to the warrior-citizens of

classes gradually united with the new ple

Rome, the Carthaginians possessed a high

beian leaders to form a senatorial aristocra

er culture, but it was a materialistic culture of little creativeness. Moreover, they had

cy characterized by the term uobilitas. This internal strength provided a united front that

lected a large indemnity, and, most impor

tantly, destroyed her enemy's maritime supremacy, which was never restored. Hannibal, a soldier of genius Smarting under the territorial reductions

that hampered her trade, Carthage turned to

inherited from their Canaanite ancestors

Spain and its rich silver and iron deposits.

enabled the Romans to survive a grinding

one of the most revolting of all pagan reli

war with the great Carthaginian general Hannibal.

gions, featuring child sacrifice. Thousands upon thousands of infants were slaughtered

There Hamilcar Barca built a new, highly efficient army, largely Spanish, and trans

The Punic Wars (264-146 B.C.^

to appease their bloodthirsty deities.-^ The expected clash came when Carthage attempted to gain a foothold in eastern

formed the small Phoenician trading posts

into important ports. By the time his bril liant son Hannibal assumed power in 221 B.C., friction between the vengeful Carthaginians and the suspicious Romans

With the unification of the Italian

Sicily among the independent Greek cities.

Peninsula, Rome now looked beyond her

Since this threatened the free passage

had reached the point where neither side

land to the surrounding seas. She saw that

desired to avoid war.

the

through the straits between the island and the toe of Italy, the Romans crossed over and attacked. Early success spurred them on

Mediterranean coast of Spain, the islands of

to conquer the entire island, a hazardous

Scipio proceeded to Spain. While the latter was en route, Hannibal, one of the greatest

the dominant power, Carthage, controlled the

northern

coast

Africa,

In an effort to bottle up and neutralize Hannibal, the consul Publius Cornelius

military geniuses of all time, slipped around the Romans and boldly invaded Italy. A master of the unexpected, he had crossed

the treacherous Alps with an army of 20,000 infantry and 6,000 cavalry. The wily Carthaginian outwitted the

.A\

'"Ms

first Roman army sent against him, slaugh

tering 20,000 in the Po River Valley. A few months later, further south, he brilliantly maneuvered his troops to ambush and anni hilate another army. For several months the Romans avoided battle; with Hannibal's

superior cavalry and tactics, the danger was too great.

The latter's strategy had never been to

attack Rome, for he lacked the equipment for a siege, but to win over the Latin towns to his side. However, none defected.

A Roman warship has dropped a bridge onto the enemy's ship.

Although several barbarian tii ihe Gauls in the Po Valley)joined him. i, aie's Latin allies in central Italy remained faithful

with admirable firmness, which emphasizes Corsica and Sardinia, and the western part

of Sicily. Moreover, that mercantile empire claimed control of the Tyrrhenian Sea,

undertaking considering their almost total lack of warships, to say nothing of their inexperience in naval matters. Yet with

which washed the shores of western Italy,

characteristic determination, Rome built

Conflict was inevitable.

and manned a large fleet. However, victory eluded them when they carried the war to North Africa. With both sides suffering frequent failure and

In the ninth century, not long after King Hiram of Tyre furnished Solomon with the

craftsmen to build the Temple of Jerusalem, Phoenician

merchantmen established

colony on the magnificent harbor of Carthage only a hundred and thirty miles from Sicily at the narrowest point in tlie central

Rome's political skill.

Finally, with 'Roman patience giving out. they forced a pitched battle near the

town of Cannae clo.se to Italy's heel. Two inexperienced Roman generals arranged their much-larger force more compactly

than

usual and

rushed

headlong

Hannibal's center. The latter, who had

disaster on the perilous sea, the war raged inconclusively for over twenty grueling

placed his best troops on the wings, slowly pulled his center back. With perfect coordi

years. Close to exhaustion both physically

nation, the wings turned and faced the trapped Romans. The cavalry then rode

and financially, the rugged Italians mounted

CRUSADE

History around to envelope the rear. Slaughter ensued. Considered

Roman dominions

GAUL

Hm Carthaginian

one of the greatest tactical masterpieces in military his tory, the Battle of Cannae was

Corsic^

the bloodiest defeat Rome ever suffered.

Numantia

Rome

Lannaw

Sardinia!

Scipio Africanus, Hannibal's nemesis

After enduring so much

ineptitude in their leadership,

/ Rhegium

jiiiiii;: ^Syracuse

the Romans finally produced a bold, imaginative general of

Xarthage

their own: Scipio Africanus, the 26-year-old son of the above-named consul who by this time had been killed in

battle. Young Scipio invaded

Spain, which was Hannibal's

Map showing relationship of Carthage to Rome and Hannibal's route

base of operations, and with audacious ini

truth and moral law. One can but wonder

assimilated its culture but also became

tiative seized the Carthaginian capital and a large store of supplies. Hannibal's brother escaped with 10,000 troops but was inter cepted in northern Italy and killed with

what would have been produced if the result

attracted to its luxuries and refinements.

had been reversed and the selfish, mercan

When the wealth from the conquests began to flow into the governing class, family life tended to dissolve and the prosecution of

tile, Carthaginian spirit had combined with the soft, decaying side of Greek life.

most of his men. Hannibal learned of his

The Romans then went on to conquer

brother's fate when the Romans hurled his

the rest of the Mediterranean, including the

noble feuds became more vicious.

severed head into his camp. Realizing that

Greek lands controlled by the descendants

Last century of the Republic

his plans were shattered, Hannibal with

of Alexander's generals. But from that point

(146-27 B.C.)

drew into the mountains, where he stayed for the next four years.

on a terrible decline set in to corrupt the once great Roman character.

After conquering Spain, Scipio orga nized an army of 30,000 and with his usual bold energy transported them to North

Disorder and degeneracy

became perverted and egoism replaced

Africa where he was confronted by two

The achievements of the aristocratic

armie.s. In a masterful stroke one night, he completely routed both of them and burned

republic derived from the qualities of the

their camps. Hannibal was recalled after nearly fif teen years in Italy without ever losing a bat

spirit, devotion to duty, and the reputation

Roman nobility, especially the patriotic

brothers, revolutionaries who promoted

tenacity of the citizen-soldier-farmer. But

land reform, both of whom died during street violence; Marius and Sulla, whose

tle to face his match in a showdown which

the conquest of the eastern Mediterranean flooded Rome with riches and slaves that

Carthage, Because of the high caliber of the

changed the once moral nation into a preda tory state that lived by war and plunder. The

rival commanders, neither side was able to

straightforward, hard-fought battle, Scipio defeated his brilliant adversary, mainly due to the timely intervention of his cavalry and the unreliability of the Carthaginian merce naries.

virtue, a time of recurring civil wars and public disorder. Few periods have produced men of greater public distinction, and rarely have so many been so debased: the Gracci

of the family, coupled with the hardness and

took place at Zama, 75 miles from

employ any outflanking maneuvers. In a

The complicated last century of the

republic can only be described as a period of disaster: a time when moral principles

noble officers turned into military adventur ers; the citizen soldiers into professionals and, at retirement, into the vast urban prole tariat that survived on government handouts and the bribes of politicians.

Rome's

victories

were

frequently

hatred of each other provoked a civil war during which thousands were brutally mas sacred; Julius Caesar and Pompey. renewed the slaughter in another civil u... from which Caesar emerged triumphant. Of the illustrious men, only Marcus Tullius Cicero stands out as a man of noble character. Earlier we mentioned that Greek

thought passed through the Romans to Western Civilization, and certainly Cicero serves as a prime example of this, for his alert mind achieved a synthesis of Greco-

the ancient world ever witnessed" called

accompanied by atrocities, showing an impatience and arrogance. In 146 B.C., she completely obliterated Carthage, which

forth the "patriotic virtues of courage, devo

concluded the Third Punic War, and brutal

Roman thought. E. K. Rand points out in his

tion and self-sacrifice."-' Because of the vic

ly ravaged Corinth, the rich, commercial center of Greece. Nobody survived in the former case, and in the latter the survivors

Founders of the Middle Ages that Cicero's philosophic writings had great influence on

This tremendous struggle, which one historian called "the greatest probably that

tory, Western Civilization would be based on Greek culture modified by Roman tradi tion and superior organization, and, as we shall see, both were nurtured by Christian

JANUARY-FEBRUARY, 1997

were sold into slavery. As the republic

absorbed the Hellenic East, she not only

the Fathers of the Latin Church, including Saints Ambrose and Jerome."^ The great Roman orator, following Plato, repeatedly

'I Antony. The latter, in his implacable hatred,

bloodbath between the assassins, Mark

had Cicero beheaded, execution style, and

Antony and Caesar Augustus. When the

had his head publicly displayed in Rome. Julius Caesar comes through the pages

brilliance as Caesar. To his ever-

carnage ended, Augustus, formally Octavian, the great-nephew of Julius Caesar, held the reigns of power. This man of extraordinary political shrewdness real ized that the fractured republic was inca pable of ruling the vast and steadily increas ing Roman territories. With the image of his great uncle's failure before him, he bal

lasting credit, he brought the tra

anced the political necessities of the present

of history as a man whose qualities, both

good and bad, reached huge proportions. Few, if any, military commanders could

turn defeat into success by such ,

sheer determination, courage, and

Pf\ VB the barbaric peoples of Western 1

il' W'I ditions of Western Civilization to w r

Europe by extending the boundaries of the Roman Empire from

the Alps all the way up to the Rhine River. By uniting Gaul (modern France) to the Mediterranean world, Caesar illustrated once again that the

whole course of history can be transformed

with conservative traditions of the past. Moving with great dexterity, Augustus allowed the nobility to have the appearance of leadership, while he retained the sub stance of power that slowly evolved into the

hereditary office of emperor.^ This provided a long period of internal peace and stability, the so called pax Romana, into which Our â&#x2013;

Lord Jesus Christ was bom.

by the will of one individual.

Unfortunately, the great commander, in Marcus Tullius Cicero

indicated that the virtuous ends of govern ment must be won by constant effort and that the natural impulse towards this leads

men into public life. Cicero was the Roman interpreter and transmitter of the doctrine of natural law, which he regarded as the law

within us, the inborn notion of right and wrong.ÂŽ For these principles and those of the

aristocratic republic, Cicero vehemently opposed both Julius Caesar and Mark

his brutal rise to power, using bribery, cor ruption, and other ruinous deceptions, showed all the attributes of a modem gang ster. He ruthlessly shoved all opposition aside, gained control of the Roman govern ment, and inflicted fatal damage on the republic's political traditions. However, the old-line senatorial aristocrats refused to tol

erate his grasp for dictatorial control. Some two dozen of them struck their tormentor

down, stabbing him to death at the foot of Pompey's statue in the senate.

Caesar and his contemporaries had shat tered tradition when they sought glory and

Bibliographical Note

prestige to the detriment of the state. The republic was destroyed, not by an external enemy or some abstract, inexorable histori

One of the problems in recom

cal process, but by the lust for power by the very class that originally brought it great

mending books by nonCatholics is that many of them, although of otherwise scholarly value, take a cynical, rationalist view of the Old Testament and the Gospels. The rationalists deny outright and before

ness.^

hand any possibility of miraculous events and the supernatural in general. Instead of searching for the truth, they desire to undermine it. However, these

defects are less present in the follow ing general studies on ancient history.

Caesar's

murder

unleashed

another

Julius Caesar

Notes 1. This paragraph was adapted from Tenney Frank in his classic study A History

of Rome (New York, 1923; reprint 1964), pp. 53-56.

The

5. Cambridge, 1929. 6. See Heinrich A. Rommen, The

Natural Law (St. Louis, 1947), pp. 22,23. meaning

7. For a discussion of Rome's decline

Carthaginian, derives from the Greek word

from idealism to selfishness, see Donald

Albert A. Trever, History of Ancient Civilization (New York, 1938); and,

for Phoenician.

more up-to-date with a fine bibliogra

ogy on the extent of Carthaginian infanti

Earl, The Moral and Political Tradition of Rome (Ithaca, 1967), pp. 20-58. 8. In this opinion we have followed

phy, Chester G. Starr, History of the

cide are explored in David Soren et al., Carthage(New York, 1990), pp. 123-145. 4. A. E. R. Boak, A History ofRome to

Ancient World 3rd ed. (New York, 1983).

565 A.D. 4th ed.,(New York), p. 120.

term

Punic,

3. The conclusions of modem archaeol

Frank Burr Marsh, The Founding of the Roman Empire, 2nd ed. (Cambridge, 1927).

CRUSADE

Family Series

Brother Wolf /^y\. *

t the time when Saint Francis was living in the city of Gubbio, a large wolf

appeared in the neighborhood,so terfierce that he not only

devoured other animals but made

often approached the town, all the people were in great alarm and used to go about armed as if

going to battle. Notwithstanding these precautions, if any of the inhabitants ever met him alone, he was sure to be

devoured, as all defense was useless: and, through fear of the wolf, they dared not go beyond the city walls.

Saint Francis, feeling great compassion for the people of Gubbio, resolved to go and meet the wolf, though all advised him not to do so.

head, and, by the movements of his body, his tail, and his eyes, indicated that he agreed to what Saint Francis said. At this, Francis confirmed: "As thou art willing to make this peace, I promise thee that thou shalt be fed everyday

by the inhabitants of this land so long as thou shalt live among them; thou shalt no longer suffer hunger, as it is hunger which has made thee do so much evil; but if I obtain all this for thee, thou must promise, on thy side, never again to attack any animal or any human being. Dost thou make this promise?" Then the wolf, bowing his head, made a sign that he consented. Said Saint Francis again: "Brother wolf, wilt

thou pledge thy faith that I may trust in this thy promise?" Putting out his hand, he received the pledge of the wolf, for the latter lifted up his paw and

placed it familiarly in the hand of Francis,

Making the sign of the holy cross, and putting all his confidence in God, he went forth from the city, taking his brethren with him; but these fearing to go any farther, Saint

Francis alone turned his steps toward the spot where the wolf was known to be, while many people followed at a distance and witnessed the miracle.

The wolf, seeing all this multitude, ran towards the saint with his jaws wide open. As he approached, the saint, mak ing the sign of the cross, cried out: "Come hither, brother wolf; I command thee, in the name of Christ, neither to

harm me nor anybody else." Marvelous to tell, no sooner had Saint Francis made the sign of the cross than the terri ble wolf, closing his jaws, stopped running and, coming up to Saint Francis, lay down at his feet as meekly as a lamb. Then the saint addressed him thus: "Brother wolf, thou

hast done much evil in this land, destroying and killing the creatures of God without permission; yea, not animals only hast thou destroyed, but thou hast even dared to devour

men, made after the image of God; for which thing thou art worthy of being hanged like a robber and a murderer. All men cry out against thee, the dogs pursue thee, and all the inhabitants of this city are thy enemies; but I will make

peace between them and thee,0 brother wolf. If thou no more offend them, they shall forgive thee all thy past offenses, and neither men nor dogs shall pursue thee any more."

Having listened to these words, the wolf bowed his

JANUARY-FEBRUARY, 1997

Family Series

greater and more dangerous are the flames of hell, which last forever, than the rage of a wolf, which can kill the body only; and how much we ought to dread the jaws of hell if the jaws of so small an animal as a wolf can make a whole city tremble through fear.

The sermon being ended, Saint Francis added these words; "Listen, my brethren, the

miimt

wolf who is here before you has promised and pledged his faith that he consents to make peace with you all and no more offend you in aught, and

you must promise to give him each day his nec essary food; to which, if you consent, I promise

I â&#x2013; m

mmmM sfM

in his name that he will most faithfully observe the compact." Then all the people promised with one voice to feed the wolf to the end of his days; and Saint Francis, addressing the latter, said again: "And

thou, brother wolf, dost thou promise to keep the compact, and never again to offend either man or beast, or any other creature?" And the wolf knelt down, bowing his head, and, by the motions of his tail and ears, endeavored to show that he was

willing, as far as was in his power, to hold to the

compact. Francis continued: "Brother wolf, as thou

gavest me a pledge of this thy promise when we were outside the town, so now I will that thou

renew it in the sight of all this people and assure me that 1 have done well to promise in thy name;" and the wolf lifting up his paw placed it in Francis's hand..

Now this event caused great joy in all the people and a great devotion towards Saint Francis, both because of the novelty of the mira cle and because of the peace which had been con Then said Saint Francis, addressing him again: "Brother wolf, I command thee, in the name of Christ,

to follow me immediately, without hesitation or doubt ing, that we may go together to ratify this peace which

cluded with the wolf; and they lifted up their voices to heaven, praising and blessing God, who had sent them Saint Francis, through whose merits they had been delivered from such a savage beast.

we have concluded in the name of God." And the wolf,

obeying him, walked by his side as meekly as a lamb,

to the great astonishment of all the people. The wolf lived two years at Gu

went in a friendly manner from u. . â&#x2013; to Now, the news of this most wonderful miracle

spread quickly through the town, so all the inhabitants, both men and women, small

no dog barked at him as he went

and great, young and old, flocked to

about.

the market place to see Saint

Francis and the wolf. All the

At last, after two years, he

people being assembled, the saint got up to

door without harming anyone, and all the people received him courteously, feeding him with great pleasure, and

died of old age, and the

^ "

people of Gubbio mour-

\ ~

amongst other things, how for our sins God

permits such calamities, and how much

ned his loss greatly; for when they saw him going about so gently amongst them all, he reminded them

of the virtue and sanctity of Saint Francis.

â&#x2013;

CRUSADE

Now Proclaimed Venerable

Memoir of Pierre Toussaint by Hannah Sawyer Lee

with aforeword by

Memoir of Pierre Toussaint

Plinio Correa de Oliveira Pierre Toussaint, born a slave in Haiti in 1766,

moved to New York City with the family of his owner at the time of the French Revolution. When

his master died not long afterward, Pierre secretly supported the impoverished family for twenty years with his earnings as a hairdresser, all the while serving the family as a slave. Eventually freed, he had never sought his free dom even while saving to purchase the freedom of other slaves, including his future wife, and to give generously to charities. He helped neglected chil dren and seminarians, supported orphanages, schools, and churches. During yellow fever epi demics, he nursed many people back to health and helped others in their dying moments. Pierre attended Mass and received Communion

daily for sixty years. His saintliness was recognized by many in his lifetime, as evidenced in this enchanting biography, written shortly after his death in 1853.

Hannah Sawyer Lee ,. . with a foreword by Plinio Correa de Oliveira

Since the announcement of the opening of his cause for canonization in 1989, interest in the life

of this humble slave has been spreading across America and the world. On December 17, 1996, Rome declared Pierre Toussaint "Venerable," so we

may confidently hope that he will be canonized as Americas first black saint. There is much to be

learned from the example of this man who has been quaintly described as "God's image carved in ebony."

Paperback; 93 pages; illustrated; $11.25 ppd.

Order todayâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;Call(717) 225-7147

.C,January 22, 1997

f AMERICA fORIlltuu

NE^DS y UNO pijmi&tY fat VIA

The American TFP band played almost uninterruptedly during the March for Life.

Grignionde MontfoH

Academy

•.

'»

Our Lord Scourged

How much did He suffer fore

seeing horrors that would be perpetrated within His Church?

kt-

m it.

The American Society for the Defense of Tradition, Family and Property — TFP

The American TFP in Action Young TFP volun teers distribute

Fatima flyers in Manhattan, offering Antonio Borelli's best seller Our

Lady of Fatima: Prophecies of Tragedy or Hope?

The American TFP Is now on the WEB: WWW.TFP.ORG

Fr. Kevin Beaton speaks about the Church's tradition

of monasticism during an Aprii open house at the TFP

Washington Bureau.

iOi [Mi .

Exchanging ideas at the American TFP's display at the

VI? Conservative Political Washington, D.C.

The TFP's table at the Catholics United for the Faith (CUF) meeting Toledo, Ohio In Aprii.

Action Conference in

mn] .-t

T-

Participants at the TFP's

1997 annual Spring Program for boys, held in Herndon, Pennsylvania.

T U;'

March-April, 1997

Cover: Statue of

Our Lord Scourged. ❖ Silence Means Consent

❖ In Brief

❖ Therese's Entrance into Carmel

Inset:Bishop Matthew Clark embraces a 1

homosexual couple. I

Mo* rr

Cover Article Scandalous Mass for Sodomites

The Specter of Homoscxiialily Threatens Christian Civilization

Is Sodomy No Longer a Sin?

❖ Considerations Eighty Years After

❖ Are Your Investments "Morally Correct"?

A Nj|lan,at OUIoi; lf»bLin/Ci-v l\Mrr% Jtirt C^iholiclvm

Ambiences, Customs and Civilizations They Became Abominable. Like ilie Thiims Thev Lo\'ed . . .

feocfiingytcaching

Forgotten Truths They Are Certainly Much More Dangerous

Chmch

The 4"*National Symnosl„n,

Commentary

"We all have a great deal to leam from our gay

When Tolerance is Intolerable

and lesbian sisters and brothers". —Bishop Maithcw Clark

Education . . ''4

The reform of morality:

Family Series Pelusa

the great forgotten request ?6

Basic History Course of Western Civilization Jesus Christ: God. Savior, and King Tlie Center of History

.?0

❖ The Innocent Lesson of a Clock

Crusade Magazine is a publication of the American Society for the Defense of Tradition, Family and Property (TFP). Subscriptions in the United States and Canada, $24.00.

Foreign subscriptions, $30.00, List of other TFP publications available upon request. Direct all subscription requests and

Forming the minds

of the young

Silence Means Consent Founded on human reason illumined by faiih, the Church's traditional teaching on sexual ethics has res

McNeill, Margaret Farley, and Daniel Maguire, assuming the same, hold that homosexual persons are a vital part of the

olutely condemned homosexuality. Sacred Scripture

Creator's plan for humanity. Maguire rejected what he char

presents sodomy as a sin of grave depravity, and Tradition

acterized as the "be-but-don't-do" theology of the hierarchi

has always declared the homosexual act an "intrinsic moral

cal Magisterium, saying, "It is arbitrary, harmful, cruel, and

evil."

therefore sinful to exclude systematically an entire category

The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith dealt explicitly with homosexuality in three documents: "Persona

of people from genital intimacy" {The Morality of Homosexual Marriage, Ed. Crossroad, New York, 1983, p.

Humanae" (1975); "Homosexualitatis Problema" (1986);

120).

and the addendum, "Some Considerations Concerning the Response to Legislative Proposals on the Non-

Homosexual orientation: a disorder

Discrimination of Homosexual Persons"(1992). The declaration "Persona Humanae" was the first official Church document to note a distinction between the "homo

sexual condition" or tendency and the "homosexual acts." It described these acts as "intrinsically disordered," deprived of their essential and indispensable finality, and incapable of being approved in any circumstance.

The same document stressed the duty of trying to under

The confusion created and deliberately spread by homo sexual activists within the Church prompted the

Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith to issue a new document in 1986 to clarify those misunderstandings. Cardinal Ratzinger's letter "Homosexualitatis Problema" denounced the benign interpretation: "Although the particu

lar inclination of the homosexual person is not a sin, it is a

stand the "homosexual condition" and advised that culpabil

more or less strong tendency ordered toward an intrinsic

ity for homosexual acts should only be judged "with pru

moral evil; and thus the inclination itself must be seen as an

dence."

objective disorder."

"Benign interpretation"

The discussion that followed the publication of that doc ument gave an overly benign interpretation to the "homosex

ual condition" itself. The Washington State Catholic Conference, for instance, declared in 1983: "The Church

teaching does not morally condemn homosexual orientation,

The letter provoked strong reaction from theologians and homosexual communities. The November 1990 meeting of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops saw a major struggle over the value of the letter's description of the homosexual orientation as a "disorder." The American

Bishops' document "Human Sexuality: A Catholic Perspec tive for Educational Lifelong Learning," overwhelmingly approved in the meeting, stated; "Homosexuality is a perma

nor are homosexual persons to be blamed for not changing

nent, seemingly irreversible sexual orientation. The ii ' d

their orientation"("The Prejudice Against Homosexuals and

and behavioral sciences do not as yet know what cai,

the Ministry of the Church"). In that same year, a document of the Archdiocese of San

person to be homosexual. Such an orientation in itself,

because not freely chosen, is not sinful."

Franci.sco went so far as to say that homosexual orientation "is not a truncated sexual development. The Church's min

Human rightsâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;the turning point

istry must move in such a direction that homosexuality might be a building block rather than a stumbling block in the

ongoing search for unity and harmony" ("Ministry and Homosexuality in the Archdiocese of San Francisco").

This "benign" interpretation led homosexuals to believe that living out their orientation in homosexual activity is a morally acceptable option. Progressive theologians like John

Instead of clearing up the confusion caused by the "benign interpretation," the American Bishops repeated their 1976 demand for respect, justice, and friendship for homo sexuals:"We call on all Christians and citizens of good will to confront their own fears about homosexuality and to curb

the humor and discrimination that offend homosexual per-

CRUSADE

sons.... Homosexuals should not suffer prejudice against their basic human rights. They should have an active role in the Christian community." The focus of the debate on homosexuality thus shifted:

Discussion of the disorderly character of the homosexual orientation gave way to a discussion of "social justice and

human rights." The bishops of Washington State had already claimed in their 1983 document that "prejudice against

homosexuals is a greater infringement of the norm of Christian morality than is homosexual orientation or activi ty." Homosexual activists have availed themselves of this

new approach to label any reservation about homosexuals, their activity, or lifestyle as forms of unjust discrimination or even "Nazi hatred."

Striving to cope with this misinterpretation of social jus

tice and human rights, the Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith issued another document, "Some Considerations

i \

^ i

Concerning the Response to Legislative Proposals on the Non-Discrimination of Homosexual Persons."

Homosexuality is not a right

While condemning any violence against homosexuals, the document insisted that this condemnation should not be

used to deny that the homosexual condition is disordered.

"Sexual orientation," it affirms, "does not constitute a quali ty comparable to race, ethnic background, etc. in respect to non-discrimination. Unlike these, homosexual orientation is

an objective disorder and evokes moral concern."

The document clearly declared that "there is no right to homosexuality," refuting those within the Church who con

sider homosexuality a "positive source of human rights."

Undoubtedly, the Congregation's documents had a sig nificant impact on the fight against homosexuality within the Catholic Church. The time is now ripe not only for a new

Lord, strengthen us: We do not

document to prevent misinterpretations, but also for strong actions against the militant homosexual agenda in the

want to make pacts, to retreat,

Church.

to compromise, to dilute, to

The Mass for homosexuals in Rochester and the 4th New

Way Ministry Symposium in Pittsburgh, reported in this issue, pose a challenge to the Vatican and to the U.S. Bishops' Conference. As St. Louis University historian James Hitchcock said: "A line has been crossed. Up until now, there have been bishops who have implied they don't accept Church teaching in a vague and unspecific way. But

now we actually have two bishops who are repudiating Church teaching, and encouraging others to follow suit. This development puts the ball in the Vatican's court, and will

show whether the Vatican will tolerate two bishops repudiat ing the long-established moral teaching of the Church."

These events and declarations demand a response from our Shepherds. In the face of such outrageous dissent, silence means consent!

MARCH-APRIL, 1997

â&#x2013;

permit that they deface the

divine integrity of Thy doctrine|to||| on our lips. If a flood of unpoptdarity breaks upon us, may our prayer always be that from Sacred Scripture: "I have chosen to be an abject in the house of my God, rather than to dwell in the tabernacle of

sinners" (Ps. 83:11).

IN BRIEF Crusade Editor:

0 Partial-birth abortion: just

0 Spirit and matter

Magazine

part of the problem

are interrelated

(

How should one go about renovating

Having stated on national television la.st

aging church buildings and constructing

Associate Editors:

new ones to best inculcate the

November that partial-birth abortion was rare and performed only in

Earl Appleby

truths of our Faith into the

extreme circumstances of

Thomas Becket

Jack Bumham

minds of worshippers? Questions such as this were

or of fetal deformity, Ron

Eugenia Guzman Gary Isbell

recently discussed at a meeting

Fiizsimmons,

of architects, historians, artists,

director of the National

musicians, and liturgists from across the country gathered at the University of Notre Dame.

Coalition

C. Preston Nbell III

Thomas J. McKenna Photography:

danger to the mother's life

executive Abortion

Providers, recently admit

Msgr. Francis Mannion,

ted that he "lied through his teeth." Though still dis

rector of the Cathedral of the

agreeing with those who

AUSTRALIA: John S. Tucker

Madeleine in Salt Lake City, cited "considerable theological

cide in any form, he admit

Todd F. Kamuf Circulation: Steven A. Herrera Foreign Correspondents:

BRAZIL: Jose Carlos Sepulveda

disagreement" regarding the

CANADA: John Misek

nature and function of art and architecture

CHILE: Nelson Fanas Blanco FRANCE: Benoit Bemelmans

in Catholic worship as a cause of the deemphasis on the physical setting of the

GERMANY: Beno Hofschulte

liturgy and an erosion of traditional

PHILIPPINES: Allen Bandril

Catholic devotions.

PORTUGAL: Antonio C. de Azeredo

The faithful long for religious imagery

logically oppose infanti ted that opponents of this abominable procedure are correct in claim ing that it is common. His admission has added to the renewed

calls for a ban on the procedure. The House of Representatives has again approved such a ban, and the Senate will probably do like wise, but whether the expected Presidential

SOUTH AFRICA: Richard Urban

depicted in media common to the Catholic church: altar pieces, stained glass, and the

SPAIN: Juan Barandiaran

like."Humans need a sacred place, and they

Even if such a ban is established, com

have always had it," according to Father Giles Dimock, O.P., but, he said, the post-

batants against abortion should not be satis fied or complacent, for even in the worst

Vatican II emphasis on the congregation as sacred space does not suit the "human need

hypothesis this procedure accounts for just a small part of the massive slaughter of

for the sacred incarnated in holy places."

babies that continues day after day in

Not finding a sacred place in their own church, people will create their own, he

America, and it is by no means the only available procedure for late-term murder of

added.

infants.

ROME: Juan M. Monies

The American TFP

The American Society for the Defense of Tradition, Family and

veto could be ovemdden is doubtful.

Property (TFP) was founded in

The participants concluded that matters

Mr. Fitzsimmons himself states that

1973 to confront the profound crisis shaking the modem world. It is a civic, cultural and nonpartisan orga nization which, inspired by the tra

such as placement of the altar, tabernacle, and baptismal font need further discussion

women who enter aboriuaries do so to kill their unborn children: "It is a form of

and clarification.

killing. You're ending a life."

ditional teachings of the Supreme Magisterium of the Roman Catholic

Church, works in a legal and peace ful manner in the realm of ideas to

As Catholics, we know that in the uni

verse

God

established

relationships

That remains the stark truth at any stage of pregnancy.

between certain forms, shapes, colors, sounds, and aromas, and certain states of

defend and promote the principles of private ownership, family and perennial Christian values with their

spirit in man. What state of spirit is dis played or formed by the various architectur al styles, religious or secular, prevalent in

0 The good will be martyred

twofold function: individual and

our days?

ters in the Faith seem distant to most

The cries for help from brothers aik,

.social. The TFP's words and efforts

Americans, comfortably entrenched in their

have always been faithfully at the

homes and neighborhoods. For most, it would be shocking to learn that more

service of Christian civilization. The first TFP was founded in

Christians have been killed for their Faith in

Brazil by the famous intellectual

this century alone than in the previous nine

and Catholic leader Prof. Plinio

teen centuries combined. But tho.se who

Correa de Oliveira in 1960. His

closely follow the world situation and tho.se

work has in.spired the formation of

unfortunate enough to live in certain areas

other autonomous TFPs in 26 coun

of this chaotic world today know that this

tries across the globe, thus consti

persecution is still raging.

tuting the world's largest anticom-

According to In lite Lion's Den, a recent book by Nina Shea, more and more evi

munist and antisocialist network.

dence about persecution of Christians

CRUSADE

IN BRIEF around the world is surfacing every day. Her

mal sacrifice and initiations that can

book draws on eyewitness accounts from

cost hundreds or even thousands of dol

eleven countries in which extensive reli

lars. Once .seen as a religion of poor and

gious persecution is being waged against

uneducated souls, it now attracts people

Christians: Red China, Sudan, Pakistan,

from all walks of life, has invaded the

North Korea, Saudi Arabia, Vietnam, Egypt, Nigeria, Cuba, Laos, and Uzbekistan. Other countries are guilty of similar offenses, albeit in lesser degrees.

computer Web (nearly 1800 sites), and is having a growing influence in popu

One well-known example is the case of seven Trappist monks who were abducted

by the Armed Islamic Group in Algeria and later had their throats cut.

Now, one might ask what fuels such anti-Christian haired.

lar music.

Santeria joins a growing number of Satanic and demonic cults and practices present in today's society. In times past, when the climate of the stale of grace

was more prevalent, the spirit of revolt kept it.self well hidden. But to the mea sure that it feels comfortable and that

public opinion permits, it shows itself in the full light of day,even going so far as to take a place alongside the Catholic

LKIN^

faith.

Omnes dii gentium daemonium— The gods of the gentiles are devils (Ps. 95:5).

0 Which way is up? A/TOUa

IUn«rJm

('JvMifu

NINA SHEA

The New York Tunes of February 15 reported that shortly after the Russian Defense Ministry asked for more money to shore up the county's listing

armed forces, a private Russian research group, the Council for Foreign and Defense Policy, warned that the Russian military

According to the author, two ideologies that have traditionally opposed Christianity

Christianity," commented the New York Daily News. "The foulest-spoken biblical epic ever made," according to The New York

faced a collapse that could lead to a govern

Times. Such remarks described a film

ment overthrow or a civil war.

recently aired at least three times on the

are the promoters of this fierce persecution:

"The present state of the Russian Army

Communism and Islam. Both are to be

can be de.scribed only as a catastrophe," the

feared due to their great power and violent

council .stated.

Comedy Channel. It must have been unusu ally offensive to elicit such reviews from a

press that quite often does not balk at pub

lishing articles that insult or denigrate

character.

Several thoughts might occur to the

sacred things.

faithful Catholic in reflecting even briefly upon these facts. Perhaps among them would be what Scripture tells of the absence

The film in question is "The Life of Brian," played by the group Monty Python.

of any possibility of reconciliation between

Limitations of space and propriety pro hibit detailing the seemingly unending suc

the sons of the Virgin and the sons of the

cession of blasphemies in this film. For just

.serpent.

a few examples: The Holy Spirit.

How clear does the voice of Our Lady of Fatima resound in our ears: On July 13, 1917, she warned the young seers of

as a dove, is shot down while the civ.

NATO foreign ministers in Brussels, U.S.

Birth, a foul-mouthed caricature of Our

Fatima—and us, "The good will be mar

Secretary of Stale Madeleine Albright pro

Lady concedes that the father of her child is

tyred."

0 Omnes dii gentium daemoniiim Sanleria, a voodoo-like religion that

cloaks the cult rendered its deities in images

On February 18, at a meeting with

posed that NATO form a joint military

a Roman soldier who assaulted her, .seem

ingly without much resistance on her part.

ing operations in Europe.

The film is but one more in a sad pro gression of blasphemous productions,

One may rightfully ask what sort of cooperation can be expected from a virtual

ly incapacitated partner.

MARCH-APRIL. 1997

including "Hail Mary" and "The Last

Temptation of Christ." It is deplorable that such films are tolerated and find a market in

0 Sacrilege as entertainment

New York Times.

With its origins in the Caribbean, Santeria's religious practices include ani

iic

still rolling; in a mockery of the Virgin

brigade with Russia to conduct peacekeep

of Roman Catholic saints, is gaining in pop

ularity, according to a recent article in The

'od

"Frequently quite sacrilegious," said the New York Post. "An unnecessary ridicule of

a nation so supposedly Christian and sup

posedly so concerned about offending the sensibilities of any and every group except Christians.

Saint Zhircsc of the Chilci 1997: centenary of the death of one o Part II

Therese s Entrance into Carmel /fy John Vidigal

On Tuesday, April 9, 1888, Marie-Fran^oise Therese Martin ceased to exist, and Sister

Therese of the Child Jesus and the Holy Face

Facing away from the entrance, she knelt and asked her father's blessing. Also kneeling, the venera ble old man blessed her amidst his tears. She immedi

was bom. The Carmel celebrated the Feast of the

ately arose and, turning away from her beloved Papa,

Annunciation that day, having postponed the solemni

she crossed the threshold of the convent, only to hear

ty from its usual date, which fell in the middle of Lent that year. Happy to unite her own "yes" with the "fial" of Our Lady, Therese passed her last days in the world confronting public opinion and saying goodbye.

the door close behind her. There the arms of her new

sisters awaited her, those who from now on would

serve as her models. A great peace came over her and

persisted until her last moments. On entering her cell that afternoon, she did not cease repeating with pro

great authorities on Saint Therese, her precocious

found joy,"I will be here forever, forever!..." Finding "more thorns than roses" in the first steps

entrance into the convent raised a polemic in Lisieux. In his book Therese and Lisieux, this studious gentle

cessive acts of surrender that the "ascent of Mount

According to Fr. Pierre Descouvemont, one of the

man says that "Some felt that Therese had not known

the world long enough to be able to enter the convent; others, that it was nothing but a whim; still others said that true charity would be in remaining at home and

of religious life, she did not lose heart before the suc Carmel" imposed. Jesus in the Holy Eucharist made her understand that her life was the cross, and the

cross in isolation. "Ah, what surprise will be ours at

caring for her already aged father; finally, the more sympathetic said that it was a sublime act of generosi ty, admirable but inimitable." "Let nothing disturb you," Saint Teresa of Avila

said, and one could already admire the grandeur of the spirit of the Foundress in the

Jesus in the Holy Eucharist made her understand that

soul of the young postulant from Normandy. Saint Therese herself says: "On the morning of the great day, after casting a last glance

at Les Buissonets, that gracious retreat of my childhood, which I would never see again, I left isolation. in the arms of my beloved Papa, in order to ascend the mountain of Carmel.' Her giving of herself had been

her life was the cross, and the cross in

total, and the sad goodbyes of her relatives did not unsettle the joy of that innocent heart. "Everyone was

crying; I alone shed not a single tear. But I felt my heart beating violently when they gave me the sign to advance to the convent entrance. I asked my.self if I wouldn't die from the beating of my heart... Ah! What a moment that was! In order to know how it is, one

must pass through it."

The door through which Saint Therese entered the Cloister

CRUSADE

m that "my little queen has entered Carmel...and my heart overflows

with joy," was shaken even further. On June 23, 1888, he began a cal

vary of intermittent illnesses that would last for six years, until the Servant of God expired in the Chateau de la Musse in June of 1894.

Having wandered to La Havre, he was taken to an asylum in Caen. Later para

lyzed so that there was no danger of his

wandering, he returned to Lisieux in May of 1892, where he lived with his cousin, whom Saint Therese used to call "Uncle" Guerin. Celine, M.

Martin's daughter and Saint Therese's childhood companion, accompanied him

Relic of Saint

Therese's hair

throughout this long tribulation, even unto the last moments of his life.

Saint Therese accompanied all this with filial sorrow and grandeur of spirit. Her taking of the habit was post poned because of her father's illness. But it was with

great joy that on January 10, 1889, in the chapel of Carmel, she was finally vested in the austere habit of a Saint Therese of the Child Jesus as a novice

Carmelite with her beloved "Papa" in attendance. Her Stoiy of a Soul displays the expansion of her soul as regards this: "What a beautiful feast. Nothing was lack

the end of the world when we will know the story of

ing, not even snow.... I had always desired that on the day

souls! And how many will be surprised at discovering the

on which I would take the habit that nature would be like

way by which my soul was conducted!" Her confessor,

me, crowned in white. On the day before, I looked sadly

Fr. Pichon, at seeing her pray, found her fervor innocent

at the gray sky, the fine rain, and the agreeable tempera

and her manner very sweet. But upon hearing her general

ture. The following morning, the sky had changed and the

confession two months after she entered Carmel, the good

feast was enchanting. My beloved Papa was handsome

priest told her: "In the presence of the good God, the

and very dignified; he was the admi

Blessed Virgin, the Angels, and all the saints, I declare

ration of everyone, for he had given

thai you never committed a single mortal sin." And he

all of his children to the Good God."

added,"Thank the good God, for if He were to abandon

At the end of the ceremony the bish

you, you would transform yourself from an angel into a devil." The thought of "never having stained her baptismal

op, taken by the enthusiasm of the

attire" filled her with joy. She well felt her weakness, but to her the words of the priest seemed to come from the

though the priest reminded him that the hymn of thanksgiving was usual ly sung only on the day of profes

mouth of Our Lord Himself.

The "little flower transplanted to Mount Carmel" then received signal graces of love of the cross. She reflected

"Who is the mortal, as

moment, intoned the Te Dewn, even

sion."

Gazing for the last time in this

upon the profundities hidden in the Holy Face and con

life upon her beloved father. Saint

cluded that she had "a thirst for suffering and being for

Therese relumed to the cloister. The

gotten" since "the mercy of the way by which the good

first thing she saw was the image of

powerful as he i * "ht be, who can make

snow fall from the sky in order to please his beloved?"

God led me was such that He never refused me anything I

the Child Jesus among the flowers, and after this, the

desired, and His bitter chalice seemed sweet to me."

flakes of snow. At these, her beautiful exclamation of love

Outside the Carmel, however, things were not going so

for the King of kings came forth: "Who is the mortal, as

well. The precarious health of M. Martin, who during

powerful as he might be, who can make snow fall from

tho.se days of separation had written his friends saying

the sky in order to please his beloved?"

MARCH-APRIL, 1997

â&#x2013;

Cover Article

Scandalous

Bishop Matthew Clark gets ready to celebrate mass for

by Orlando Lyra

homosexuals In Sacred Heart Cathedral, Rochester NY.

In the entertainment section of the February 1997 issue of the radical homo

Scandalized, many of the faithful asked

themselves if, after this "gay Mass," Bishop

sidered to be a blasphemous Mass. David Morrison, one of the protesters, declared;

sexual activist newspaper The Empty Closet, amidst ads and notices for every

Clark wouldn't also celebrate a "special" Mass for pedophiles, sado-masochists, and

imaginable sort of sexual perversion, there appeared two advertisements for a "gay/les

other perverts.

bian Mass" to be celebrated in the Cathedral

Wonderful Gifts of God

During his ten-minute homily, which was punctuated by outbursts of wild applause.

Jazz music played as homosexual "cou ples," some dressed in their leathers and

Bishop Clark stated; "I hope we can say to

than 1200 homosexuals showed up for the

Mass, celebrated by Rochester's Bishop

chains, embracing and ki.ssing, climbed the

Matthew Clark. The news of this peculiar

stairs of the beautiful cathedral of Rochester

the degree that we do not enjoy the wonder ful gifts God gives you for the sake of the

drug dealers, or murderers."

of the Diocese of Rochester. These notices were successful: More

"Having a Mass specifically for homosexu als is like having a special Mass to appreci ate the gifts of adulterers, pomographers,

you with equal honesty that we are weaker to

event was given precedence and relayed with

hand in hand. Fifteen priests and nuns warm

community. We all have a great deal to learn

much fuss. Local television and radio sta

ly welcomed them at the entrance.

from our gay and lesbian sisters and broth

tions dedicated programs and public debates to the event. For weeks the city newspapers commented upon the controversial subject.

Outside the Church, attentively guarded by a strong police contingent, a group of faithful Catholics protested what they con

ers. Do we know the richness of their expe rience? May 1 ask you to forgive us for the times we have failed to honor you?" WWII]

[lI^Cl]

-V

View of the gay/lesbian audience during the mass celebrated by Bishop Matthew Clark.

Cover Article

Mass for Sodomites and promoting same-sex

Sacrilegious

unions, because of the need

communions

everybodyâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;Catholics and

to foster fidelity in the gay community. Forever-com mitted homosexual couples

non-Catholics, believers and

are invited to renew their

atheists, gays and lesbians

vows along with heterosexu al couples at Mass every year."

communion

time

alike, got up to receive. Two men who made no effort to

keep their hands off each

In the "Letter to the

other as they stood in the

Bishops of the Catholic

communion line, received

Church on the Pastoral Care

hosts from the Bishop, then

of Homosexual Persons" of

faced each other and gave the hosts to one another. Many

October 1, 1986, the Con

lesbians did the same.

the Faith clearly insisted "that departure from the

Many

gregation for the Doctrine of

Rochester's

Church's teaching, or silence

faithful were justifiably scan dalized with these evidently sacrilegious communions.

about it, in an effort to pro

Bishop Clark was asked why

caring nor pastoral. Only

he didn't at least have confessors at the dis

position of those who attended the Mass.

He responded simply: "I didn't do that

vide pastoral care is neither

"Now we don't have to hide

our homosexuality. The

because it seemed to me like another form of discrimination."

what is true can ultimately be pastoral. The

neglect of the Church's position prevents homosexual men and women from receiv

ing the care they need and deserve".

â&#x2013;

Church has blessed us.", com

At the end of the Mass, Bishop Clark, with a broad smile and the air of a politi

mented homosexuals at the

cian on campaign, greeted, embraced, and kissed every one of the homo.sexuals pre sent. All left the event in jubilation. One

end of Bishop Clark's mass.

homosexual commented to his partner, "Now we don't have to hide our homosex

uality. The Church has blessed us."

of "committed relationships."

During an April 4. 1996, interview for Channel 9 television. Bishop

Same-sex unions

Clark stated: "1 think Fr. Callan and

The "gay Mass" celebrated by Bishop

the community of Corpus Christi have opened their doors in a very

Clark represents a decisive point in the

beautiful way to gay and lesbian

effort to establish acceptance of the homo sexual "lifestyle" in Rochester â&#x20AC;&#x201D;and

Catholics!"

beyond. Various diocesan programs include parish seminars that openly disparage

Fr. James Callan has been joining homosexual couples in same-sex unions for the past few years. In the

Church teaching or present it in .selective and ambiguous terms. What is most dis turbing is the constant message that homo

paper, Fr. Callan openly confirmed:

Bishop Clark embracing a homosexual

sexual activity is permissible in the context

"I am in favor of the Church allowing

couple after the mass

MARCH-APRIL. 1997

November 7, 1996, issue of the Catholic Courier, the diocesan news

Cover Article

The Specter of Homosexuality

how our Church is going to truly change, when everyone from this homosexual com

munity is courageous enough to come out!" The "unite" of Marx and the "come out"

of Bishop Gumbleton have common doctri

Threatens Christian Civilization by Orlando Lyra

The so-called gay rights movement is implementing its agenda in the United States with the help of progressivist clergy.

nal and historical roots. Both Marx's com

munism and Bishop Gumbleton's homo sexuality are essentially subversive and seek to destroy two pillars of Christian civ ilization: private property and the family. As stated by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. "There is an effort in

some countries to manipulate the Church by gaining the often well-intentioned sup port of her pastors with a view to changing civil statutes and laws. This is done in order

finality is the promotion of the homosexual

to justify these pressure groups' concept that homo.sexuality is at least a completely harmless, if not an entirely good, thing.

nism began to make the rounds in

agenda within the Church.

Even when the practice of homosexuality

Europe, sparked by Karl Marx's cry

may seriously threaten the lives and wellbeing of a large number of people, its advo

then, revolutionaries of all kinds have unit

Recently, the call for homosexuals to "unite themselves" came from Auxiliary Bishop Thomas Gumbleton of Detroit.

cates remain undeterred and refuse to con

ed around this slogan in order to promote

Speaking during the 4th National Sympo

sider the magnitude of the risks involved.

class struggle which, according to Marxist

sium of New Ways Ministry, held in Pittsburgh this past March 7-9, Bishop

Last century the specter of commu of "Workers of the world, unite!" Since

mythology, should overthrow capitalism and install the dictatorship of the proletariat

Gumbleton

in the world.

come out!"

A similar specter presently stalks the

United States. This specter is the specter of homosexuality.

urged,

"Homosexuals,

Sparking repeated bursts of applause. Bishop Gumbleton called upon "gays, les bians, bisexuals, and transgendered people

Communists and homosexuals preach

to create a church community" where

revolutions with diverse connotations and

homosexuals can be "truly open about who

nuances, but with the same es.senlial inten

they are" so that they may share "their gifts"

tion: to destroy Christian civilization. Contrary to the anticlericalism of Marx,

with others.

the pro-homosexual cry we hear today comes from within the sacristies. This cry

"because I hope that within our Church every gay person, every lesbian person,

counts on a vast network of organizations

every bisexual person, and every transgen dered person will come out. Because that is

that call themselves Catholic but whose

"I encourage this." the bishop said,

feoching^leaching /

fio

Cnufch Thr *4

NAtmtMl Sxnnaslitin

"[The Church) is also aware that the

view that homosexual activity is equivalent to or as acceptable as the sexual expression of conjugal love has a direct impact on soci ety's understanding of the nature and rights of the family and puts them in jeopardy."' ^'Lesbian and gay theology*'

Writing about the origin of.so-called les bian/gay theology, Fr. Robert Nugent and Sr. Jeannine Gramick, the founders of New

Ways Ministry, note:

"In the 1960s, classical European and North American theologians were confront ed with a novel kind of theology from Latin

America. This liberation theology, as it was called, gave rise to a wide variety of social justice groups and human rights cau.scs. Its architects began with the lived experience ol the Third World's poor, oppressctl ' marginalized. Liberation theology di not only from the ancient philosophers hut also from modern political science, particu larly from the economic analysis of Karl Marx....

"Likewise, we would naturally expect

that lesbian and gay people, another social ly stigmatized group, would begin to evolve a theology and spirituality from their own

particular experience.... Such experience confirms that a homosexual orientation is

not contrary to nature but is part of God's

plan for creation."This "lesbian/gay theology" involves the Bishops Matthew Clark and Thomas Gumbleton chat before the plenary session of the 4th New Ways Ministry Symposium In Pittsburgh. 10

denial of such basic notions as nature, rea-

CRUSADE

Cover Article

lives, the communists tried to make all

is not a sin, it is neverthe less a strong tendency

social classes equal, denying the obvious

toward an intrinsic moral

differences of talent and capacity that dis

evil. Thus the inclination

son, and authority. At the cost of millions of

tinguish human beings. Homosexuals

itself must be seen as an

intend not only to make the sexes equal, but

objective disorder, just as

also to subvert the very order that God

an inclination to theft,

established in Creation.

pedophilia, murder, and

In order to provide a doctrinal founda tion for this absurdity, the architects of this

so on.

deceitful "theology" resort to a sociological analysis drawn from the "theory of symbol

Many homosexuals argue that they have not chosen their condition,

ic interactionism". As pointed out by

but rather they were bom

Nugent and Gramick,"This theory includes

that way, making homo

the following three major tenets: Human

sexual behavior natural

beings act on the basis of meanings. Meanings are continuously changed through a process of interpretation.... The lesbian/gay experience questions and chal lenges the negative meanings of homosexu ality.... It rejects the notion that homosexual

for them.

Study circle du ring New Ways Ministry in Pittsburgh, PA.

But simply because

something was not chosen does not mean that it

was inborn. Some desires are

perversions, including sodomy, pederasty, necrophilia, and sado-masochism. It is

acquired or strengthened by habituation and

ridiculous to assert that all these behaviors

conditioning instead of conscious choice. For example, no one chooses to be an alco

are innate. In fact, if homosexuality was an innate characteristic caused by a particular

holic, but one can become habituated to

alcoholism. Just as one can acquire alco

gene, then homosexuals would more likely participate in a narrower, more uniform

all standard moral institutions. To avoid the

holic desires by repeatedly becoming intox

range of deviations.

force of the natural law argument against homosexual behavior, homosexual theoreti

icated, so one may acquire homosexual desires by engaging in homosexual fan

The final goal

cians replace natural reality with relative

tasies or behavior.

orientation is abnormal, sick, sinful, or criminal."'

Natural reasoning is the basis for almost

notions that may be defined arbitrarily,

If the public accepts the assertion of

quite like the rules of a game. And those

homosexuals that their "orientation" was

notions or "meanings" undergo the same process of evolution as do cultures and

When one looks deeper into the homo sexual agenda, one finds that they are not

just agitating for equality, social justice, or

If we accept the

an end to discrimination. They already

homosexuals'false assertion that

States. Like the former Soviet nomen

their "orientation" is inherited, then their sexual perversion will lose all its moral implications.

"more equal" than the others. They demand a superior position in society.

peoples.

have that under the laws of the United

Ceasing to be the instrument that allows us to know what man and woman

are, reason presumes to take upon it.self the task of creating or inventing new "meanings" on human sexuality.

Now, a person who invents the idea of

klatura, homosexuals consider themselves

The primary objective in the "gay rights" movement is, quite simply, to

"man and woman" to the "image and like-

allow promiscuous homosexuals to prac

nes.s" of his arbitrary thoughts and will has

tice their perversions without legal or

dominion over them and disposes of them

passed on to them by their parents, then

moral restraint. If they attain their goal of

as he wishes.

public acceptance, many more people will

be pulled into this perverse death-style.

modem Leviathan of cultural totalitarian

their sexual perversions will lose all their moral implications. Homosexuality will become absolutely neutral in content, like a

ism. of the "dictatorship of ideas," which

person's gender, left-handedness, or skin

oppose the so-called gay rights n,

comes about when sociologists replace nat

color. This would relieve homosexuals of

ural reality with their own ideas.

any responsibility for their actions.

because, like communism, it presents a clear threat to the Christian family and morals. â&#x2013;

Lurking behind this reasoning is the

Homosexual orientation vs. homosexual behavior

But the world's leading experts on human sexuality agree that homosexuality

Taking advantage of the distinction commonly drawn between the homosexual

is an acquired orientation, not a hereditary one. According to William Masters and Virginia Johnson, "The genetic theory of homo.sexuality has been generally discarded

condition

today. Despite the interest in possible hor

and

individual

homosexual

actions, even certain "conservative" theolo

mone mechanisms in the origin of homo

gians have given an overly benign interpre

sexuality, no serious .scientist today sug

tation to the homosexual condition itself,

gests that a simple cause-effect relationship applies.""*

some going so far as to call it "neutral" or even "good." Although the inclination itself

MARCH-APRIL, 1997

It is essential tliat all Catholii ' tivisis

Homosexuals engage in a wide range of

Notes:

1. Letter to the Bishops of the Catholic Church on the Pastoral Care of Homosexual Persons, October 1, 1986.

2. Building Bridges,[Mystic Conn.: Twenty-Third Publications. 1995] pp. 185, 189. 3. Ibid. pp. 188-9.

4. "Human Sexuality"(Boston: Little Brown and Co., 1984), p. 319.

This appeal was also published in The Wanderer of April 24.

And the men of Sodom were very wicked, and sinners before the face of the Lord, beyond measure. {Gen. 13:13)

I. False Science, True Evil A Standard ofSin

In our dark days, homosexuality, a shameful vice ever abhorred by the Christian conscience, finds prominent apol ogists within the very bosom of Holy Mother Church.

Sacred Scripture,' Tradition, and the Magisterium have condemned few sins more consistently or severely than sodomy. The sins of Sodom and Gomorrha estab

lished a measure of evil by which other sins

are judged, as recorded throughout the Holy

Lord Jesus Christ was one of them. Sister

Bible.-

Jeannine Gramick, co-founder of New

Tuming a deaf ear to these condemna tions, proponents of perversion seek to sow

Catholics, has written:

confusion within the Church. To this end,

they invoke deceptive interpretationsâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;revi sionist distortionsâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;of Sacred Scripture. According to their self-serving rewriting of biblical history, Sodom and Gomorrha were destroyed not because their inhabitants

practiced unnatural vice, but because they

Ways Ministry for Gay and Lesbian Gay and lesbian people also look

to the friendships of David and Jonathan, and Jesus and John. These

stories hold up for lesbian and gay people a hope for a blessing for

same-sex relationships or friend ships."'

were inhospitable to travelers.^

Sodomy's apologists have even dared to suggest the obscene blasphemy that Our

Pseudo-Science

The promoters of the homosexual

agenda within the Church profess a pseu do-science in which homosexuality is neither pathological nor reversible, but a

genetic and biological trait. According to this parody of science, sexual intimacy with the same sex is simply a normal variation, like left-handedness.

This deceptive fiction has been demol

ished by a number of systematic studies.' It is also contradicted by the fact i growing number of homosexuals . been treated and freed from the chains ot

their morally and psychologically disor dered obsessions.^

Now, the militant call for homosexuals to "come out of the closet" and affirm

their vice is being parroted within the ranks of the hierarchy. In defense of the good name of our beloved Church, of the moral order

ordained by Her Divine Founder, and of

During the Mass celebrated for the homosexual community in Rochester, Bishop Matthew

the innocent victims of this abominable

Clark told the audience;"I hope we can say to you with equal honesty that we are weaker to

vice, the American Society for the

the degree that we do not enjoy the wonderful gifts God gives you for the sake of the commu

Defense of Tradition, Family and

nity."

Property (TFP), appeals to the successors

CRUSADE

w.y .r

devour the weakest of the flock abandoned

the scourge from which it arises.'

dogmatic and moral fields have been disseminated, creating doubt, confu sion, and rebellion; even the liturgy

II. Sodomy: Sign of the Church's

has been altered. Immersed in intel lectual and moral "relativism" and

Wanderer for its service to the faithful in

of the Apostles to combat this scandal and

"Self-Destruction"

therefore in permissiveness, Christ ians are tempted by atheism, agnosti cism, a vaguely moralistic illumin-

The Popes Speak The homosexual wreckers within the Church must be viewed in the sad and

ism, a sociological Christianity, without defined dogmas and without

objective morality.''

somber context of Her "auto-demoli

tion," of which Pope Paul VI observed:

by their shepherds. The American TFP commends The

publishing Paul Likoudis's detailed and enlightening reports on the Mass celebrated for

unrepentant

homosexuals

Rochester's Bishop Matthew Clark in the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart'" and on the

New Ways Ministry 4th National Sympo

sium in Pittsburgh." The sad history chronicled by Mr. Likoudis amply evi dences the homosexual revolution that

The Church finds herself in an

threatens our Church and our Nation.

hour of disquiet, of self-criticism,

one might even say of self-destruc tion. It is like an acute and complex

III. The Sodomites* Strategy: Avoid Causing a Reaction

interior upheaval, which no one expected after the Council. One thought of a blossoming, a serene

New Waysfor Old Sins

expansion of the mature concepts of The New Ways Ministry conference set the homosexual lobby's plan of action, emphasizing the strategy of grad

the Council. The Church still has this

aspect of blossoming. But since "bomon ex integni causa, lualuin ex

cjuocumque defectu," the aspect of

ualism that marks the homosexual revo

.sorrow has become most notable.

lution. The objective of the stv' "litcs* strategy is to avoid meaningful .m

The Church is also being wounded by those who are part of her.'' A Homosexual holds the thurible at the Mass

His warning finds an empathetic echo

celebrated during the 4th New Ways Ministry Symposium in Pittsburgh.

in the soul of Pope John Paul II, who

striped-shin "clericals." encouraged con

describes this .self-destruction in our day; One

must

realistic

and

ference participants: "If individuals change Wolves in Sheep's Clothing

quite slowly, how slow is institutional

Homosexual predators, calling them

selves "Catholic" while violating the most

change?" Driving home his brother bishop's message to those he dubbed "a loving group," Detroit Auxiliary Bishop Thomas

basic norms of Christian morals, further the

Gumbleion added, "As Matthew said, even

acknowledge with a deep and pained sentiment that a great part of today's Christians fee) lost, confused, per plexed, and even disillusioned: ideas

contradicting the revealed and unchanging Truth have been spread far and wide; outright heresies in the

MARCH-APRIL. 1997

by ecclesiastical authorities agam^l the homo-sexuai agenda. Bi.shop Clark, in his tweed-suit and

"auto-demolition" of the Church. Their pre-

if we are frustrated sometimes with the

dation is rendered more deadly by the aid and comfort they receive from nuns, priests,

slowness of change, we still must put up with that frustration as we continue to strug

and even bishops. Ravening wolves thus

gle to make it happen."'-

Cover Article

Step-by-Step: The Descent to Hell

Margaret Farley, R.S.M., ofYale University,

changes can deconstruct and deviate doc

made clear the reason for the sodomites'

trine, they must be put into practice.

fear and loathing of the sacramental love

According to the homosexual revolution,

olution proclaims the view that the sexual

that gives birth to life and preserves chasti

pastoral practice should not be governed by

ethics professed by the Church are inevitably evolving to the stage where homosexual relations will be equal—if not superior—to heterosexual intimacy. Prof. Joseph Selling, chairman of the Department of Moral Theology at the

ty.

Christian sexual ethics but by an erroneous view of social justice in which the Church

In the moral realm, the homosexual rev

As long as the Christian sexual ethic was focused on "procreation" and the "control of sexual desire,"

has the duty to defend the civil rights of

practicing homosexuals as homosexuals.'-'' Fr. Richard Peddicord, O.F., professor of moral theology at the Aquinas Institute of

Catholic University of Louvain, gave the

there was no room for a positive evaluation of homosexuality. But in recent decades, under the pressure of

symposium a progress report on the gradu

new discoveries in the social sci

nale for a homosexual pastoral at the New

alist strategy for the Church's acceptance of

ences and scientific fields, traditional

Ways symposium.

Theology in St. Louis, described the ratio

sodomy.

Catholic sexual ethics do not

have the conceptual tools to say

Is the teaching going to continue

evolve?

PJI how homosexuals should be ^1 treated by civil .society. The issue

With

respect to the homosexual relationship, will it evolve toward

^ 1 of homosexual rights should be

^ *** 1 considered under social justice."*

encompassing it? Yes, it will! H^Hr We have already taken the first I^HJ

step. Begrudgingly as we might

homosexual

pastoral. Father

like to admit, even the teaching

^j Peddicord continued, "should not be

of the Church has recognized

the homosexual person, the

satisfied with repeating the moral condemnations of gay sex, but

homosexual orientation. It may

j^H advance the civil rights of homosex-

be very uncomfortable with its own statements, but it's there!

According to its advocates, a homo-

The homosexual person is a person and no less of a person

sexual pastoral "should provide a

than anyone else. This is the first step.

The second step is the recogni tion of the homosexual relationship. I think we are virtually on the edge of accepting the homosexual rela

tionship. The Church will accept the homosexual relationship, like those divorced and remarried: We must live as brother and sister or brother and brother and sister and sister as

I^H supportive atmosphere for a stable relationship." A significant step in

Catholic sexual morality is crum

this direction was given by certain "pastoral

bling. Now, the "procreative norm"

guidelines" that defend "the stable, faithful,

is gone, the rigid stereotype of

and committed homosexual rclationship.s"

male/female complementarity

ity."'"'

tive evaluation of homosexuality and

As early as 1979, the bishops of England and Wales offered pastoral guidelines urg

same-sex relations.'"'

ing pastors to distinguish between "irre A Homosexual Pastoral

the case may be... [The audience

able, fruitful, meaningful, affirma

Religion provides the surest yardstick by which human acts may be measured. Unlike such continua as heahhy/diseased,

tive, creative relationship. We are on

virtiious/smful reflects a transcendent reali

the verge of accepting this. The third step is: Can we accept

ty that bears directly on con science. Sinfulness is a particu-

laughs.1 What is important is that the relationship be recognized as a valu

the homosexual act? Before we can

talk about the morality of the homo sexual act, we have to define it, to understand exactly what it is.... Our whole understanding of human sexu

ality needs to be rewritten, but rewritten not from a "procreative or

reproductive" point of view. It needs to be rewritten from a "relational"

point of view.'-^ Gradualism

was a thread woven

sterile

vice

accords fruitful

love. Sr.

sponsible, indiscriminate sexual activity and the permanent association between two homosexual persons who feel incapable of

enduring a solitary life devoid of sexual expression."'" In the homosexual pastoral, the distinc-

"I1 HO] hope that within our Church, every addresses not only an act's gay»- person, every lesbian person, rationality but also its effects on 6 the universal order. GVGP bisexual or transgendered per every The moral standards taught by religion are the single most son SOIl will come out, because that is how important factor in the virtually our Qyj. ^ Church is going to truly change." universal rejection of homosex larly relevant construct since it

ual vice. Accordingly, those

promoting

throughout the fabric of the New Ways for old sins symposium, as was the abhorrence

as "a better moral situation than promiscu

gone, and the time is ripe for a posi

the

Bishop Gumbleton

homosexual

agenda strive to change the tra

ditional Church teachings that constitute its

tion between "homo.sexual orientation" and

principal obstacle.

"homosexual behavior" is challenged. "The bishops," according to Fr. Robert Nugent

Astute sodomites know that before

CRUSADE

Cover Article

and Sr. Jeannine Gramick,

honestly acknowledge that the differ ence is "not always clearly convinc ing." They are undoubtedly aware that while many people find the dis tinction useful in teaching and coun seling programs on homosexuality, they do not find it particularly help ful in the pastoral field or fully con

"Homosexual Persons

gruent with the experiences of gay

Are Called To ChasWy."

and lesbian Catholics.''^

A New Liberation Theology

catechism of the

CATHOLIC CHURCH

In 1969, the Stonewall Riots in New

York City unleashed a major homosexual offensive. From this disorder sprang "les bian/gay theology," which now dominates many Catholic universities and seminaries.

Outside the cathedral a group of Catholics protested what they considered to be a blasphemous event.

Like liberation theology, much in vogue

context of being a gay man. When he

in Latin America before the collapse of the

was asked by his friend, "Do you really believe that what we are doing

Soviet Union, homosexual theology is a "theology from below." Both theologies arise from a praxis (experience) and a pur portedly scientific analysis of that experi ence.

Liberation theology used Marxist analy sis of the socioeconomic conditions in

is wrong? Because if you do, I can not go on with this," he says, "Of course I was forced to say I do not believe at some level." You see what Andrew Sullivan is

telling us? He found God in his expe rience as a gay man. We know that

Third World countries to establish its theo

God is love, and where there is love,

logical and hermeneutical principles, which provided a sympathetic ideology for guer

there is God. And Andrew Sullivan

rilla movements fighting to impose commu

finds God where he finds love.-'

tells us that his experience is that he

nism on their fellow man.

Homosexual theology is a new libera tion theology that uses the praxis of the "lesbian/gay experience" to liberate man from the bonds of Christian morals.

As Father Nugent and Sister Gramick, the co-founders of New Ways Ministry, boast, Lesbian/gay theology is an exam

ple of authentic subversion. It involves a real turning from below with a scriptural analysis from the

Call to Action:"Come Out!"

of letters I have received in the last

Declaring that "The time is ripe," Bishop Gumbleton called on homosexuals "to share their gifts" with fellow Catholics since "this is how our Church is going to change." The most important thing that we can do in our pastoral care is to cre

underside of society. Since God's spirit is continually revealing truth to the human heart, the scriptures con

ate a church community where gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered people can be truly open about who they are.... I think it is very, very

tain some insights that can be made

important that they experience a

known to the Christian community only through the testimony of lesbian

warmth and oneness within the Church to allow them to share their

and gay people.-" Such a spurious interpretation of Sacred

Scripture was echoed by Bishop Gumbleton at the New Ways symposium.

I learned from reading an article by Andrew Sullivan in America mag azine a few years ago, where he was

speaking about his own experience of learning how to love within his

March-APRIL, 1997

1 would say this especially to

bishops and priests within our Church. I cannot tell you the number

gifts with our Church.... I encourage

few years from priests who say they are gay, but are afraid to come out. What a loss this is to our Church!

Because if they were willing to stand up on a Sunday morning in front of their community and to say who they really are, our Church could much more fully and quickly appreciate the gifts that homosexuals can bring to

the whole community of our Cbnrcii and to our society as well.,.. As more and more people cimhc out, more families are changed, more churches are changed, more parishes are changed, and our whole Church is changed. And so I appeal here

this because I hope that within our

publicly to all of us within the

Church, every gay person, every les

Church to create a community in

bian person, every bisexual or transgendered person will come out,

those who are gay or lesbian or

which this can happen. But then, for

because that is how our Church is

bisexual or transgendered, please

going to truly change: when every

come forward. Say who you are, be

one who from this community of

proud of who you are, and share all

homosexual people is courageous enough, because it does lake courage

of your gifts with our Church.--

to come out....

Cover Article IV. Invoking the Abyss

An uncompromised champion of the

and all abominations—even bestiality—

lization, is obliged to publicly appeal to our

find justification in the perverse school of

ecclesiastical authorities to employ urgent

Faith, Prof. Plinio Correa de Oliveira,

sexual deviance.

and energetic measures against the advance

advises in his seminal treatise Revolution

In the upside-down world of the homo sexual pastoral, could a homosexual "find

of the homosexual agenda within the

God" through the "interspecies love" of

We also respectfully direct our appeal to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, filially imploring this sacred dicastery to effectively denounce and condemn

and Counter-Revolution:

Disordered passions, moving in a crescendo analogous to the accelera tion of gravity and feeding upon their

bestiality? Such questions are only prudent in view of the fact that we are witnessing

the gradual acceptance of homosexuality as a legitimate way of life, not only in secular

own works, lead to consequences

which in their turn develop accord

society but within the Church.

ing to a proportional intensity. In like progression, errors beget errors, and

This process of auto-demolition—of

Church.

the pernicious doctrinal errors against Catholic morality that are being taught with

impunity in many dioceses and seminaries,

revolutions prepare the way for revo lutions.... This explains why we find

Church and State—constitutes an authentic

as well as in Catholic schools and universi

and cataclysmic revolution to which we are

ties across the country.

ourselves today in such a paroxysm

unalterably opposed.

In so doing, we defend our beloved Nation against the perversion and loss of its

V. An Appeal to Our

soul. We also defend our even more beloved

Ecclesiastical Authorities

Holy Mother Church by demanding that Her clergy, and in particular Her bishops,

of impiety and immorality and such

an abyss of disorder and discord.--' Sacred

Scripture

warns, '^Abyssus

abyssum invocal"—"Deep calleth on deep"

Along with contraception, abortion, and euthanasia, homosexual vice is an integral

(Ps.41:8).

weapon of the Culture of Death aimed at "Celebrate Diversity," proclaims a

bumper sticker

popular

among

the

sodomites and their apologists. The practice of homosexual vice inevitably descends into the lowest depths of the moral abyss. From pedophilia to sadomasochism, any

teach what the Church and Her Divine Master teach.

May the Blessed Virgin Mary, conceived

our families, our Nation, and our Church.

without sin. Patroness of the United States,

In face of this danger to all we hold dear, the American Society for the Defense of Tradition, Family, and Property, comprised of practicing Catholics dedicated to defend

protect us from this terrible onslaught of

ing the moral standards of Christian civi

perversity. The American Society for the Defense of TVadition, Family and Property—TFP

to discriminate can easily lead to regarding homo

2. Lev. 18:22-29; Is. 3:9; Rom. 1:24-27, 32; 1

tors, and with consideration for the common good and dignity of persons"(The Code of Canon Law. A Text and Commentary, James A. Coriden,

Cor. 6:9-10: 1 Tim. 1:9-10; 2 Pel. 2:6-9; Jude 1:7.

Thomas J, Green, and Donald E. Heintschel, eds.

example, in respect to so-called affirmative action or preferential treatment in hiring practices. This is

[New York: Paulist Press, 1985)).

all the more deleterious since there is no right to

Notes

1. Gen. 18:20; 19:12-13,24-25, 27-28.

3. Robert Nugent and Jeannine Gramick,

sexuality as a positive source of human rights, for

8. Allocution to the students of the Lombard

homosexuality, which therefore should not form the basis for Judicial claims. The passage from the

Lesbians Come Out to be Faithful Catholics?"

Seminary. December 7, 1968, Insegnamenti di Paolo VI. vol. 10, pp. 707-709. 9. Allocution to the religious and priests partic

(U.S. Calholic, August 1992, p. II).

ipating in the First Italian National Congress on

automatically, lead to the legislative protection and

Building Bridges (Myslic, Conn.: Twenty-Third Publications, 1995), p. 10.

4. Sr. Jeannine Gramick, "Can Gays and

See

Charles

Socarides,

M.D.,

Homosexuality: A Freedom Too Far (Phoenix:

recognition of homosexuality as a factor on which basis it is illegal to discriminate can easily, if not

Missions to the People for the 80s, February 6,

promotion of homosexuality. A person's homosex

1981 (L'Osservatore Romano, February 7, 1981).

uality would be invoked in opposition to alleged discrimination, and thus the exercise of rights

Adam Margrave Books, 1995).

10. The Wanderer, March 1, 1997.

6. For information on how one can turn away from homosexuality, contact one of the following organizations: Beyond Rejection Ministries,

11. Ibid., March 20. 1997.

would be defended precisely via the affirmation of

12. Bishop Matthew Clark and Bishop Thomas

the homosexual condition instead of in term^

Hemet, Calif., 714-925-0028; Courage, New York, N.Y,, 212-421-0426; Homosexuals Anonymous

Fellowship Services. Redding, Calif., 1-800-2533000.

Gumbleton, "Pastoral Care of Lesbian and Gay

violation of basic human rights"(no. 13).

People," Plenary Session, New Ways Ministry 4th National Symposium, Pittsburgh, March 7-9, 1997. 13. Joseph Selling, "The Meanings of Human Sexuality," New Ways Ministry 4th National

Moral Teaching on Gay and Lesbian Rights Legislation," New Ways Ministry 4th National

7. In so doing we are exercising the right and duty proclaimed in Canon 212, #3: "In accord with the knowledge, competence and preeminence

Symposium.

which they [the Christian faithful] possess, they have the right and even at times a duty to manifest to the sacred pastors their opinion on matters which pertain to the good of the Church, and they have a right to make their opinion known to the other Christian faithful, with due regard for the integrity of faith and morals and reverence towards their pas

Ministry 4th National Symposium.

14. Sr. Margaret Farley, R.S.M., "Same-Sex Relations: An Ethical Perspective," New Ways 15. The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith states in "Some Considerations Concerning

the Response to Legislative Proposals on the Nondiscrimination ofHomosexual Persons," of July 22, 1992: "Including 'homosexual orientation' among the considerations on the basis of which it is illegal

16. Fr. Richard Peddicord, O.P., "Catholic

Symposium. 17. Nugent and Gramick, p. 143. 18. Catholic Social Welfare Commission

(Britain), 1981, p. 8. 19. Nugent and Gramick, p. 144.

20. Ibid., p. 190. 21. Bishop Gumbleton, Plenary Session, New

Ways Ministry 4th National Symposium. 22. Ibid.

23. Revolution and Counter-Revolution, 3rd ed.

(York, Penn.: The American TFP, 1993), p. 31.

CRUSADE

Fatima

Considerations

Eighty Years Mer by Robert Ritchie

ighty years having passed since Our Lady's estimable appari tions at Fatima, her message presses forward today with renewed timeliness.

The impressive concurrence of two facts that marked the century

To what do the revelations of Fatima owe their surprising vitali-

Profoundly figuring in the revelations is Russia, a nation that retains a central place in the world political scene. The concurrence of the revelations of Fatima and the Russian Revolution, both hav

ing taken place in 1917, immediately calls one's attention. Communism seized power in Russia exactly 25 days after Our Lady's last apparition in Fatima. The seers, the three shepherd children Lucia, Francisco, and Jacinta, had been given a mes

sage—which remained secret until 1942—warning of "the errors of Russia" as the central focus of grave commotions that

have truly shaken the whole world for the greater part of this century. The same message foresees the eventual conversion of this nation.

In this perspective, the spectacular fall of the Berlin Wall and the Iron Curtain on November 9, 1989, with the pre ceding and subsequent political turmoil in the Eastern

/^iffiD®[f3©iiini T[F(P ws)[lao[]i]G(i©(fg

fc mm

Fatima

European counlries. could not fail to be linked to what was

foretold in Fatima. Could such events not be signs that Our Lady is fulfilling her promises? It is impossible within the narrow limits of a commem

orative article to fully discuss this fundamental point of today's international political situation. But at least a sum mary discussion is fitting as we mark the eightieth anniver sary of the Marian apparitions that are possibly the most cel ebrated in all the history of the Church.

Reproaching the world, warning of chastisements, promising peace

What does an average reader, one who dedicates suffi

ciently serious attention to the message, derive from it? Such a reader draws from the message the very grave fact that Our Lady reproaches the world for certain faults and

threatens it with certain chastisements if her requests are not heeded. The conditional character of the promises of Fatima

is thus perfectly set out. That is, Our Lady leaves an opening for mankind to escape the imminent chastisement through amendment of life.

The expiatory aspect of Our Lady's requests also stands out in this: the Communion of reparation on the first Saturdays of five consecutive months and the consecration of

Russia to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. If these requests were heeded, Russia would convert, abandoning its errors, and this element of world perturbation would cease to act. The world would again enjoy peace, the peace of Christ in the Reign of Mary. The moral crisis of the

West has only worsened

We ask: Have the faults, the sins, ceased? Was the expia tion accomplished? Was the consecration of Russia carried out in the exact terms set forth by Our Lady? In replying, we address first of all the most evident fact: The moral crisis in the West from 1917 until now has done

nothing but rapidly worsen. Fashions have degenerated, heading closer and closer to generalized nudism. The aston

ishing instability of marriage, the acceptance of homosexual ity as normal, the number of apostasies from the ranks of the

clergy and religious orders of both sexes for motives greatly linked with depreciation of the vow of chastity, sex education in Catholic schools, abortion, birth controlâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;all are symp toms of the degeneracy affecting ever wider sectors of Western societies.

The peoples of the East, formed in a godless society

As for the countries of the East, the peoples there lived for a long time dominated by the atheistic communist sect, that is, in a society that sought to totally banish the notion of God. From the top of the slate to the minutest details of each indi

vidual's life, everything was organized in opposition to the postulates of the Natural Law as codified in the Ten Pictures on these pages: Volunteers of the The American TFP

Commandments of the Law of God. Communist legislation abolished private properly, instituted the most complete egal-

distribute the message of Fatima in downtown New York City. 18

CRUSADE

Fatima

itarianism, and practically extinguished the family, turning

marriage into a mere public registration that insignificant legal formalities could alter at the whim of the episodically united couple.

Even after the spectacular fall of the Iron Curtain, with consequences known to all, the people of these "former" communist countries and satellite countries, having been

formed in such a society, have so far shown themselves inca

pable of stemming the tide of moral perversion, let alone of turning it around. The chaos, confusion, and corruption, evi dent to anyone who even cursorily glances at a newspaper, continues to grow. And one might go so far as to say that,

humanly speaking, it cannot be reversed. The reform of morality, the great forgotten request Thus, among so many reforms that everyone deems nec essaryâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;whether in the East or the Westâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;no one pleads for the solution of what most offended Our Lady. That is, no

one calls for the reform of morality, private as well as pub lic, by the restoration of the institution of the family, with

renewal of the indissolubility and sacredness of marriage, reassertion of the authority of parents over children, protec tion of children from the abusive meddlesomeness of the at

least officially secular if not directly atheistic state, and so on.

An unheeded fundamental point among Our Lady's requests Therefore, without even considering the dispute about

whether the successive papal consecrations of the world to the Immaculate Heart of Mary fulfilled the conditions estab lished by Our Lady for the conversion of Russia (that nation meriting a specific mention in the consecration foiinula), any affirmation in the line that the promises of Fatima are being fulfilled demands the greatest circumspection since

men have not corresponded to a fundamental point of these requests of Our Lady, that is, the amendment of life. One need only glance at the cover article of this present issue of Crusade to realize that any blind optimism that

everything will be all right becomes more and more unac ceptable, Otherwise, we risk falling into a total moral rela

tivism that can only lead to disaster. Lucidity, vigilance, and courage

It is highly Important, then, to interpret the message of Fatima in an authentic way so that souls remain lucid, vigi

lant, and courageous in face of the extraordinary events that may occur and throw mankind into perplexity and affliction. If such an affliction should indeed overtake the world, why should those who consider themselves lovers of what is

right be distressed? Rather, shouldn't they be pleased to see the iniquities and offenses against God and His Holy Church finally halted and the time of the triumph of Our Lady's Immaculate Heart as she promised in Fatima finally at hand? Or, is it possible that such a victory take place in a world that has not been purified? â&#x2013;

MARCH-APRIL, 1997

:'m

Crusade

Are Your Investments

"Morally Correct"? For many, the world offinance is a mystery. Now, a new computer program sheds light on a scary reality. by Thomas Becket

When you invest in a mutual fund, you may unwittingly be financ ing abortion, pornography, and

anti-marriage life-styles. According to former stockbroker Scott Fehrenbacher, "With 3.5 trillion dollars in

mutual funds, you simply send your money to a middle man. The middle man passes it on, and there is no accountability between

the person putting up the money and the person ultimately receiving it." Mr. Fehrenbacher points to examples like the very popular Denver-based Fund.

On his latest listing it was the country's eleventh largest fund in terms of assets. Unknown to most investors, it has the single

''Someone may own Disney, they mightfeel realgood about owning Disney, but once the surface is strippedfrom Disney and you see

company that profits from abortion, pornog raphy, or anti-family entertainment such as soft-pom or gratuitous sex and violence, or

that actively promotes non-marriage life styles.

The program will search for any one example and will then search a data base of

all mutual funds, looking only for those funds that have the very same characteris tics, investment objective, and management

inside, its rather like a

style. It then brings up a menu of alternative

hot'dogfactory: You have no appetitefor it anymore"

funds that pass the screens. The investor can then search among

these alternatives and look specifically at their investment performance to find those that have the same or better track records.

largest holding among mutual funds in the

The system "proves you do not have to

company that manufactures the sponta

compromise your rate of return in order not

neous-abortion pill RU-486.

Looking into where the money goes is

compromise

your

values,"

Mr.

Fehrenbacher said.

like opening a can of worms. "You would

computer programs have been

The software will then automatically

never know that Rick's Cabaret is a chain of

around for a while to alert investors

print out a letter for any shareholder who

nude dancing bars in the Southeast that is publicly financed," Fehrenbacher said. You may own a company called SpectraVision,

to companies that supposedly harm the environment or promote smoking, nothing existed for the morally conser

chooses to transfer out of a red-light fund. The letter is pre-addressed to the money

which sounds innocent enough but happens to be the single largest distributor of hard core pornographic movies, pumping them into hundreds of thousands of hotel rooms

every night across the country.

vative.

Mr. Fehrenbacher and the Institute for

American Values Investing have changed this. Three years ago Fehrenbacher decided to give up his private practice as a stockbro ker and dedicate his time to developing a

manager of the firm one is leaving and

needs only to be signed and mailed. Tlu ' ' ter, written in respectful terms, simply i the money manager that his company ha.s lost your business and why. The program is not intended to give advice on financial matters, but is directed

computer program that would tell the

to financial consultants, who can use it to

investor exactly what type of moral activity

complement their advice, providing infor

of finding out what your mutual fund went into. Short of time-consuming research, you

he was financing. The result is the "eValueator," a Windows program designed to offer a convenient way to identify which

For the private individual, the institute pub

just had no choice.

among the thousands of funds inve.st share

Until recently there was no simple way

mation on the moral issues of investment. lishes a newsletter. For information on the "eValueator" and

Liberal groups have long been aware

holders' money in companies that profit

the Institute for American Values Investing,

that they can use investment discrimination

from what Mr. Fehrenbacher calls "cultural

to advance their agenda, and they speak of

pollution." The program will give a red light to any

you may write to 5010 148th Ave. NE,Suite 21 OB, Redmond, WA 98052, or call 206-

"socially responsible" investments. While

702-8600.

â&#x2013;

CRUSADE

Ambiences, Customs and Civilizations

They Became Abominable, Like the Things They Loved by Plinio Correa de OUveira

Our first photograph shows a marble "head" preserved in the Louvre in Paris. About a foot in height, it is a pre-Heilenic era idol from Amorgos, in the Greek archipelago of the Cyclades.

The marvels of the universe should lead man to the knowledge of the wisdom, goodness, and beauty of the Creator of all things. But man, having become pagan, not rarely began to adore beings inferior to himself, such as animals or even horrible imaginary divinities like this head.

Were someone with a face like this to walk through the streets, he would cause horror. Were he to get into a taxi or a bus, it would empty out immediately. Were there a disease that caused people to look like this, all the physicians of the world would mobilize against it. We are dealing here with a monster, certainly a very expressive one and thus even more ter

rible, for it emits only monstrosity.

How can one not feel compassion for the poor pagans led to adore this monster? How can one not perceive the mental and moral deformation that adoration of a thing like this introduces into the soul?

As regards this, Sacred Scripture wisely observes that men model them selves after the things they love: "1 found Israel like grapes in the desert, I

saw their fathers like the first fruits of the fig tree in the top thereof: but they went in to Beelphegor, and alienated them.selves to that confusion, and

became abominable, as those things were, which they loved"(Osee 9:10).

If it is true that men are transformed by what they love, ask yourself if it is to be desired that someone be modeled according to the strange and grotesque head reproduced in the second photo. Would the reader want,for

example, that the soul or body of his or her children conform to this?

How it pains us to say that the sculptor, the well-known contemporary French artist J. Rucki-Lambert, intended to represent Our Lord Jesus Christ, the source of all sanctity and, for this very reason, the infinitely per fect model of ineffable personal equilibrium. Would saying to someone, "This is how Christ was; imitate Him," be

promoting his education and formation and laboring for the spiritual ascen sion of his soul?

March-April, 1997

â&#x2013;

Forgotten Truths

Commentary

When Toler

J^or^otten

by Plinio Correa de Oliveira

We continue our series on tolerance.*

They Are Certainly Much

Granting that in a given case, we may be called to practice this difficult and danger

More Dangerous'

ous virtue, how should

we do so?

Toleranceâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;even when necessaryâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;bears its own

particular perils. What are these hazards and how

Pope Pius IX

Though the children ofthis world be wiser than the chil

may we avoid them? I shall present a brief theoretical consideration,

followed by a relevant historical example. To tolerate an evil is to consent to its existence.

dren of light, their snares and their violence would

Just as good produces good, evil yields evil. When

undoubtedly have less success if a great number of

we are obliged to tolerate something evil, we must limit the evil effects of this tolerance to the great est degree possible and diligently prepare the con

those who call themselves Catholics did not

extend a friendly hand to them. Yes, unfor tunately, there are those who seem to

ditions for eradicating the evil, rendering further

want to walk in agreement with our

This principle is elementary in medicine. If, for clinical reasons, a patient suffering from a malig nant tumor cannot be operated upon immediately, the physician's treatment consists in retarding the tumor's ill effects in every way possible. Not satis

enemies and try to build an alliance

between light and darkness, an accord between justice and iniquity,

/ by means of those so-called liberal / Catholic doctrines, which, based on the most pernicious principles, adulate the civil power when it invades things spiritual and urge souls to respect or at

least tolerate the most iniquitous laws, as if it had not been written absolutely that no one can serve two mas

ters. They are certainly much more dangerous and more bane ful than our declared enemies, not only because they second

their efforts, perhaps without realizing it, but also because, by maintaining themselves at the very edge of condemned opin ions, they take on an appearance of integrity and irreprehensible doctrine, beguiling the imprudent friends of conciliations and deceiving honest persons, who would revolt against a

toleration unnecessary.

fied with this, he will diligently prepare the patient for the eventual surgery. Even the most tolerant man would not tolerate his doctor acting in any other way. I do not understand why this clear, log

ical, and wise process should not also be lauded when, instead of the danger of a malignant tumor, we face the threat of a moral cancer such as heresy. Indeed, wherever error is introduced, we must remedy the situation with the suave and deliberate

clinical means of apologetics and charity. Should these means fail, or when the evil spreads so rapid ly that it cannot be treated over time, or is so resis

tant that no argument or act of charity will i out, we must re.sort to surgery. If this surger>

not be performed at once, we must resolutely com bat the further infiltration of the disease, while

preparing for an auspicious day to operate.

By way of example, let us consider a religious

declared error. In this way, they divide the minds, rend the

association into which an evil influence has

unity, and weaken the forces that should be assembled against the enemy.

entered, permeating it with a spirit of worldliness, sensuality, and doctrinal relativism. If the associa tion is well disposed to resist the evil, it is prefer

able not to expel the fallen member immediately in order to afford him the opportunity to reform. Pius IX, letter to the president and members of the

Saint Ambrose Circle of Milan, March 6, 1873, in / Papi e la Gioveni (Rome: Edilrice A.V.E., 1944),

Nonetheless, throughout the treatment, the superi or will have to be particularly attentive regarding the infectious member, his associations, his .sphere of influence, and so on. He mustâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;at the slightest

CRUSADE

Commentary

ance Is Intolerable symptomâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;take every necessary measure to halt the con

tagion. Above all, the fraternity's director should practice

In contrast to these examples of virtuous tolerance, we should men

a constant preventive medicine with the healthy members

tion some examples of defective tol

in order to inoculate them against the deadly dangers of

erance.

infection. In this way, he will have practiced virtuous tol erance, for he will have offered good to the bad without risking grave harm to the good. Virtuous tolerance requires much work, demands strict precautions, and takes considerable time. Let us

suppose that the fallen member is a person of rare charm who immediately begins to influence his confreres. Since

it is far easier to influence men towards evil than good, the

Lacking firm principles and convictions, the superior of the association is superficial, vain, impressionable, and timid. When the evil individual enters the fraternity, the

unprincipled director perceives, to a degree, the .seduc tiveness of the attitudes and principles that the infiltrator deftly introduces.

As he is superficial, however, he is incapable of under standing all that is implicit in the evil member's words

superior sees that despite his best efforts to the contrary,

and actions. In his vanity, he deems himself the idol of his

numerous members will soon be entirely deformed. He now faces the following choice: to permit the evil influ

peers and subordinates and thus cannot conceive the pos sibility of anyone undermining his influence.

ence to remain within the bosom of the association, risk

Impressionable, he is perfectly content as long as the

ing the loss of once healthy members; or to expel the car

association's members show him kindness and render him

rier of contagion, who will likely be lost in any case, thus

homage. He shuns principles, doctrine, and polemics as

saving the good and restoring the fra

ternity to its former order, good spir it, and peace.

What is the director's duty? It can

be but one. The well-being of the innocent is worth more than that of

the guilty. It is necessary to expel the wolf in sheep's clothing as soon as

Virtuous tolerance requires much work, demands strict

precautions, and takes considerable time.

possible. Failing to take the necessary action to protect the innocent, the superior will have betrayed his duty and will have to render account to God for the lost souls he could and should have saved.

Finally, let us suppose another situation. The evil indi

impediments to the sweet iranquility of his untroubled life.

Timid, he is afraid of every reac tion. Were he to take measures, he would be called intolerant within and without his social cir cle.

Now that would be quite uncomfortable, for the intolerant

are never tolerated anywhere. We live in the age of toler ance. Every opinion is permittedâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;except intolerance.

Anyone who would maintain that certain opinions are

unacceptable would make himself the object of persecu

vidual infiltrates the association and quickly begins to

tion, antipathy, and sarcasm. How could anyone expose

ensnare his victims. In a short time, his success is such that

himself to such ridicule?

if he were expelled, even the best members would fail to understand. His expulsion would precipitate a crisis that would dissolve the fraternity, and its members, deprived of any protection, would risk being lost themselves. What should the director do? Evidently, effect a strate gic compromise, but only with understanding, intelli

Under the weight of so many pressures, the soft supe

rior finds it easier to be tolerant, closing his eyes to the problem and permitting the evil to spread freely or. at least, imperceptibly. When the association is completely undermined and a cataclysmic crisis explodes, he submits with fatalism: "Such is life." He may even embrace the

gence. and wisdom. The superior will have to employ every direct and indirect means to improve the disposition

evil to save his own position from being overthrown.

of the black sheep and, at the same time, to restrict his influence over the rest of the flock. At the same time, he

those below do so. Such tolerance could not be more

This is how one makes a revolution from above, before wicked.

â&#x2013;

will have to prepare the faithful members so that they may understand the urgent need for the infiltrator's expulsion. As soon as they are prepared, it is necessary to carry out the indispensable amputation. Even then, virtuous toler

ance will have been virtuously practiced, for the society

* See "Whal Is Tolerance?" and "Tolerance, a Dangerous Virtue," Crusfute. November-December. 1996. and January-February. 1997,

respectively. Prof. Correa de Oliveira originally published this series in 1957. The present article is the first of two installments of the con

will have been saved, whereas rash action would have

cluding article in the series. The final part will appear in the next is.sue

destroyed it.

of Cni.sculc.

MARCH-APRIL, 1997

Education

by Michelle Taylor

X Imaginationâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;a controversial quality. It has y'

Remembering the adventure of the Three Little Pigs, she gathered a few necessaries into a

and playwrights. On the other hand, it has been

big scarf, tied the scarf around a strong branch

labeled troublesome, and the great St. Teresa of

and, swinging it over her shoulder, left the

Avila even judged the uncontrolled imagination as nothing more or less than the "nut of the

premises. A short way down the road she found a

house."

her own home. While on the second layer of

Yet, there it is. Each of us has a smaller or

larger allotment of this faculty, and it plays an

especially great role in our childhood develop ment.

Have you ever told a fantastic tale or a beau tiful story to a child and observed the unwavering concentration, the total absorption? The child's

pile of bricks. Perfect! She set to work building bricks, Ella suddenly felt very tired, and she missed her home and mother very much... At another time, when she was not more than

fi ve years old, she and her family visited a tropi cal country. Ella, no matter where she found her self, was always mainly in fairyland. She decided that she must have a "magic wand," one of those

imagination travels through the valleys and over

scintillating stars at the end of a thin crystal rod that works all sort of marvels, making life so

the mountains, down the rivers and across

much easier! Where could such a thing be found?

eyes may be fixed on you, but you see that his

the oceans, into the enchanted castles

and fairy-tale lands that you describe. Growing up, I had a very good

Of course, ask Mother.

As Ella told me this story, she laughed on remembering how her mother (who was common

bling fountain of her imagination over

sense personified), looked down at her and replied to this preposterous request: "You want a wand? Certainly, Honey." For a moment, Ella thought something wonderful was about to hap pen, but then her heart fell to her feet as she

flowed in a torrent of communicative

watched her mother reach for a large, heavy, star-

friend who seemed to live in the

world of Cinderella, Snow While,

the Three Little Pigs, and many more. Ella was her name. The bub

ness, so story time with her was never-ending. She once told me of hav

ing run away from home when she was but four

or five years old. Her mother had tried to curtail one of her fanciful

ideas,

Ella, feeling thoroughly misun

shaped tropical leaf at the end of an arching stem, break it off, and hand it to her.

There she was, a forlorn little girl standing in a garden with the prosaic, earthly reality of what but a moment before she had imagined would be the fulfillment of a great dream. And here is the concern of this article,

little Ella, aren't we all born with an inhci

thirst for things marvelous? Ella had an uncom monly fertile imagination that prompted her to

derstood, became very upset. Her dignity demanded that

embody her hopes, wishes, and ideals in fairy

she leave. She announced her intention to her moth-

But don't we all look for an outlet one way or another? Why this inborn tendency to imagine

er, who simply looked at

things? Why aren't we satisfied with our sur

her and replied, "You

' 'â&#x2013; 'Xy

want to run away?

^-5^, ^

her

Ella

intended to show that

not

tales.

roundings? Why do we always wish that things could be better, bigger, newer, more perfect? And how do we reconcile everyday reality with these

All right." Indeed!

threatened, but she would do it in style!

been accounted a gift; it has been considered an asset; it has inspired essayists, novelists,

dreams? Where is the balance?

Do we continue to tell our children fairy

only

tales? Do these fables have a purpose? Invariably

would she do as she

at the end of a story, every child asks, "Was that

CRUSADE

Education

true?" Many a time I have hesitated, but then I always opted for the affirmative answer, afraid to cause a great disappoint ment. The child wanted it so much to be that way.

Many, many times, sometimes even a great portion of the time, life is good. But don't we all at one time or another hold in

our hand the drooping, star-shaped leaf of a frustrated hope, a disillusionment, a bitter

disappointment?

"I remember

( .>

going to my First Communion

knowing it, I had waited for this to happen

I watched Ella grow up, and all through

the whole of my short life.

something marvelous happening to her. She never ceased to dream. She never stopped

"That day I was introduced to the super natural life. Through the eyes of Faith what was impossible had become possible. I felt

believing in the "magic wand." She never

the 'touch of the wand'—for real.

life we remained very close. And I saw

stopped telling her stories and inspiring young and old with them.

One day, she startled me, saying, "You know, Michelle, reality is better than fic

Massy

deeply moved and awed at the mystery I was about to receive. Somehow, what was about to hap pen surpassed all of my fairy tales. That the King of Heaven and Earth was coming to visit me in my white, fairy-like dress .seemed incredible, and yet, without my

"Then, throughout my life, especially as

always, always expect the 'magic wand' to work—as long as they never cease believ ing in it and constantly ask. "You know, Michelle, my mother gave me two great gifts: She made me sensible by securing the 'red balloon' of my imagi

nation to the ground, and then she gave me that 'magic wand' when she gave me my Catholic Faith."

After that talk, I understood where the balance in life is to be found: how to make

rightful use of the gift of imagination and

I learned—by the experience of valleys and mountain.s—to pra\\ 1 occasionally felt the

not let it become the "nut of the house."

marvelous touch of the wand again.

Once, I attended a conference that

"That is why I have never ceased to tell

sought to unite concerned families. It was many years ago. so I don't even remember

"Ella!" I exclaimed, "of all people on

children fairy tales and marvelous stories.

the title or topic of one particular talk I

this earth, I never expected to hear that from

heard there. But one thing stayed in my mind like a beam of light. The speaker

"Michelle, I lived in fairyland, and even

We don't lie to them; not by any means. We are preparing their little minds to under stand God, the Ble.ssed Virgin—who is our true Fairy Godmother—the angels. Heaven.

though I never got my 'magic wand,' 1 knew deep inside me that, somehow, 1

contentment, of which eyes have not .seen

tion.

you!" She just smiled. And then began her most beautiful story.

would not be disappointed.

Yes, Heaven, where we shall be filled to nor ears heard...

focused at one point on today's problems. He was especially concerned with the then

already e.scalating problem of frustration, unhappiness, and drug-use among our youth. He expounded on the increasing stale of "insanity" that today's unbridled permissivism is inflicting. After describing this insanity, he asked: "Now, what is sanity'?"

"When I was about .seven.

"On the other hand, I did suffer with one

Mother began to prepare me for my First Communion.

aspect of fairy tales, the romantic aspect, the part where the princess meets the 'per

She read me a .story of a

fect' prince with whom, seemingly without

And 1 will never forget the answer: "Sanity

young boy who.se father was the gate-keeper of a

much effort, she lives 'happily ever after.'

is the mentality of the Holy (

That caused me to expect a perfection in people that does not exist.

Church."

French chateaux, the home of a

French count and

"Observing life, I realized quite early

>lic

1 had seen it work in Ella's life. 1 Had

seen it shape her outlook. 1 had seen it

countess and their two chil

that things are not exactly like that. Love is

give her this balance, the balance between

dren, a boy and a girl. The

either coupled with the willingness to work

the love of the Cross, which is what makes

story revolved around the day of his First Commu nion, and all the events,

and sacrifice or it will sour. We can have

sense of life here on earth, and the joyful

both Joyful and tragic, reached their culmination that day. It was a deeply moving story, of poverty and riches,

of servant and master, of misunderstanding and friendship. Above it ail. seeing every thing, directing everything, was a Presence that, in the end, resolved everything.

MARCH-APRIL, 1997

much happiness here on earth, but we must

hope for the "happily ever after." 1 had

make an effort. That aspect cannot be for

seen it not only sustain her in her disap

gotten. Above all, children must be given to understand that the "happily ever after' will happen, but only, in its totality, in Heaven.

the marvelous path of her childhood

"In this way they will be encouraged to fight the good fight, never to desist, never to

lose hope even when the worse 'dragons' threaten to swallow them up. And they may

pointments and trials but also open for her dreams. It is a way that is marvelous, true,

and sure, because it is the way of Him

Who once said: "1 am the Way. the Truth, and the Life." It is the true, golden "touch of the wand."

■

2.5

Family Series

♦

Pelusa

♦

by Fr. Luis Coloma, S.J.

nce upon a time there was an old woman who was

as ugly and evil as sin. She was called the

old

woman

some rich gentleman for a lot of gold.

Growing older, little Pelusa often won dered why other children had a father and a mother while she had none. One day, in tears, she asked the old woman:

of a wood stove and, while the soup sim mered, Pelusa played with a little, old bro ken doll that she had found in the trash. The

lived with her. She was

"But grandmother, why don't I have a father? Why don't I have a mother?" "Because you were bom in a rat's nest!" shrieked the old woman furiously. "That is

about five or six years

where I found you one day while I was

Angelina after a heavy-set lady who lived at

old and was as sweet and

sweeping a comer of the pantry. And that is why your name is Pelusa,* Pelusa!"

the end of the street and sold hats with

Cobwebs. This old woman

Cobwebs

had a little girl who

fair as one of those little angels that play around the Blessed Trinity's feet. The little girl was called Pelusa and

Then, to stop her tears, old Cobwebs beat her with a broomstick and pricked her

everyone took it for granted that she was old

with a big, black, green-headed pin. Poor little Pelusa hid under a table and, crying

Cobwebs'granddaughter. However,she was

very softly so that the old woman could not

really no relation at all.

hear her, sadly whimpered: "Oh, if only I had a father! If only

When little Pelusa was only a baby, old Cobwebs sneaked into the gardens of a magnificent palace and kidnapped her while she slept in a flower bed. Her nurse, who should have been watching her, had slipped away through a window in the garden wall to visit with her fiance. The gate to the gar den was open, and the old woman Cobwebs

I had a mother!"

One day old woman Cobwebs went out to mail a letter and left

little Pelusa sitting on the

entered on her tiptoes, grabbed the sleeping baby, threw her in a bag of rags, and then

ran away as fast as her crooked legs could carry her. She had planned to keep the baby to use her hair to make the special broom that witches use so they can fly. For that is what old Cobwebs really was—one of those

wicked, wicked witches who fly through the air on brooms.

As little Pelusa grew, the witch could no longer use her hair because only baby's hair worked. But, as she was so pretty, old Cobwebs figured she could still keep her, bring her up on bread crumbs (for the witch was a terrible miser) and then sell her to

* Pelusa is a Spanish word for the soft fur with which mice build their nests.

front steps to watch a pot of soup that was cooking for lunch. The small pot sat on top

doll was so old, faded and worn-out that

even a leg was missing, but since Pelusa had

never had any other, this one looked just beautiful to her. She

named the doll

plumes on them.

"Since I have neither a papa nor a mama," thought little Pelusa,"I will at least

have Angelina and I will be her mama." So she made the doll a dress with some

.n'

Family Series colored paper she had found in the street and a bonnet with a feather plucked from a chicken.

That day, as little Pelusa played with Angelina on the front steps of the house and kept an eye on the simmering soup, she hap pened to see a man and a lady with a child in her arms coming up the street. They looked very poor, and tiredâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;as if they had

traveled a long way. When they reached the entrance to Pelusa's house, the lady with the

little boy sat down on the first step; she was

quite exhausted. And the man, also looking very tired, leaned against the wall to rest a moment.

Pelusa felt very sorry for them (for she had a very good heart) and her eyes flooded with tears. Running inside, she brought out two chairs and offered it to the weary trav elers with great kindness.

"Would you care to sit down to rest?" she asked.

"God bless you, my child," said the lady as she took the chair. "We are very tired because we have walked many miles and

still have far to go. Besides, we have had

nothing to eat the whole day." "Nor the little boy?" asked Pelusa, quite concerned for her hungry guests. "No," said the lady.

"Oh, my! Poor, poor child!" exclaimed

Pelusa. "Well, then you shall have this soup

that has just finished cooking! I am sure the little boy will like it." And in the twinkling of an eye, she brought out a table, spread out a white tablecloth, and placed three bowls on it. She then fetched the pot with the soup and served it most graciously.

When the little boy smelled the soup, he woke up and, sitting on his mother's knees, reached out for the warm bowl.

As they ate, the lady looked kindly at

Pelusa and asked her, "Do you live here with your father and mother?"

put her while setting the table. Seeing the

like a living person all by herself. H

doll, the little boy clapped his hands in

ing leg was restored, her broken iii .is straightened, and her faded, dirty face was

"I never had a father and a mother," said Pelusa lowering her head in embarrassment. "Then how did you come into this

delight and reached out as if he wanted to

world?" asked the man, who found this

willingly. He took the doll in his left hand,

answer very strange indeed.

gave her a blessing with his right, and then

"Old woman Cobwebs says that she

hold her. Pelusa handed her to him very

found me in a rat's nest while she was

placed her back on the table. Lo and behold! A marvelous thing hap

sweeping a corner of the pantry."

pened. Indeed, Pelusa's hair stood on endâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;

The lady and the man exchanged

glances, and little Pelusa continued sadly: "That is why I have no one to love me

but not in fear or panic for it was impossible

'--uss-

now as fresh, rosy and shiny as if she had just come from the store. And while the little boy rocked on his

mother's lap and clapped his hands.

Angelina skipped and danced with as much grace and skill as an accomplished balleri na, singing all the while in a piping little

for the boy lo be sweeter or the lady more

voice. Christmas was near, and like the little

beautiful. And the man had such a kind face

boys who went around the town singing car

except Angelina; she is my child and 1 am

that it dispelled every fear and inspired total

ols with drums and tambourines in honor of

her mother."

confidence.

the Infant Jesus, this is what she sang:

As she said this, she brought out

But this is what happened: As soon as

Angelina from her pocket where she had

the little doll touched the table, she stood up

MARCH-APRIL, 1997

'To Bethlehem I'll go

Family Series Under sun, snow or rain.

gry you are and place it on the fire. Before you put the lid on, say this:

For I also wish to see

That Child sovereign." On hearing the carol, the lady looked over to the man and smiled; and he, looking

"Little pot, boil and bake Give me something good to eat For that sweet child's sake."

at the child in her arms, bowed his head

slightly. When the little doll had finished her

song, the lady extended her hand over her and in a single leap she was back in Pelusa's

pocket, peeping out from a hole in the fab ric to see what would happen next.

The lady smiled affectionately at Pelusa and said:

"Little

Pelusa,

what

old

woman

Cobwebs said about finding you in a rat's nest is a very big lie. Like all other children, you have a very handsome father and a beautiful, kind mother who have been look

ing for you ever since you were stolen from them."

When she heard this, it was all Pelusa

could do to keep her feet from carrying her off that very moment to go look for that handsome father and that kind mother. With

her cheeks flushed as pink as a rose and her eyes sparkling like stars, she exclaimed: "And where are they?!"

After saying this, the lady said goodbye.

on top of the table and exclaimed in a horri ble rage:

"In the Castle of No Return, where they

forehead. But the little boy threw his tiny

are under the spell of the witch Cobwebs," answered the lady in her beautiful, calm

arms around her neck and, while his mother

voice.

kisses as the fruits of the Holy Ghost.

Little Pelusa began to cry at this, and sadly asked: "But where is this castle? Who will take

me there? I am too little and I can't go alone!"

"Don't worry, my Pelusa. Don't cry. my child," said the lady as she fondly stroked

her head. "Angelina will lead you to them." "Yes indeed, my lady." piped Angelina who was peeping out from the hole in the

pocket, "it will be my pleasure to take her." "Then, when will I .see my papa and mama?" asked Pelusa, beside herself with

joy, hope and impatience. "I have told you that when the time

comes, Angelina will lead you there," said the lady kindly. "Do everything she tells you, and should you find yourself in great trouble, say with all your heart: "Jesus, Mary and Joseph, Be my help and my guide!"

The lady then took the small pot where

forjust then the old witch saw the empty pot

She and the man each kissed Pelusa on the

held him, gave her twelve kisses—as many But Just as that honorable family disap

"What devil has eaten my soup?!" Panic stricken, Pelusa thought that maybe she could blame it on the cat. But this was not the truth and since she was a

peared down the road, who did Pelusa sec

very good girl who would not tell a lie for

coming around the corner but old woman Cobwebs, snorting and hobbling with her old stick, and looking like sour vinegar. She was muttering to herself in the foulest of

anything in the world, because lying is a sin against the law of God, she decided to tell the truth.

"I served it to some poor hungry travel

moods, and her breath alone could have

ers who carried a beautiful child," she ven

made flies drop dead had any been so brave

tured to whisper in a trembling voice.

as to fly near her.

Green with fury, the old woman began to

Little Pelusa froze with terror; she just

strike the floor with her stick and to scream

remembered something that had not even

curses through that mouth which looked

occurred to her before—the poor travelers had drunk all of the soup and there was

like the very tunnel to Hell. "So you say that the child was beau eh?" she said. "A pretty child indeed! a

nothing left for old woman Cobwebs! Terrified by this thought and already fearing the terrible consequences, the poor girl ran

the soup become poison in his stomach and make it burst!"

into the house and hid under a table.

"Oh, don't say that for God may punish

Trembling with fright, she awaited the first

you!" exclaimed the horrified Pelusa. who

outbreak of the old woman's fury.

by this time was terribly frightened. "Look. 1 will make you another pot of soup right

In no time at all, old Cobwebs came into

the house and began to yell for Pelusa in a bitter, angry voice:

this instant!"

"So you are going to make me another

hungry, fill it with clear water, throw in two

"Pelusa! . . . Pelusa! . . . Where are you, you good-for-nothing girl?! Bring me the soup quickly because 1 am starving!" Hearing this, the poor child curled up even tighter under the table, not even daring

freeze in her veins. "Yes, but the first thing that you are going to throw in are your ears, which 1 am going to cut off right now! They

or three pebbles—depending on how hun

to breathe. But the worst was yet to come.

should make a delicious broth and will ta.ste

the soup had been and, blessing it, handed it to Pelusa, saying:

"Take this pot and whenever you feel

pot of soup, eh?" said the witch with a wicked grin that made the poor girl's blood

CRUSADE

Family Series as tender and fine as chops." And with this fiendish intention, she

dragged Pelusa out by her hair, tied the girl

table, leaving the witch's huge nose looking

the sauce as she would water, and finished

like an eggplant. "Now, Pelusa, make the old woman

by loudly licking her lips and fingers. Then she settled down comfortably in a rocking chair and said with a big yawn: "Now I am going to take a nap. You. Pelusa, stand by me to flick the flies away." Little Pelusa picked up a flyswatter and

carry out her threat, she remembered what

some soup," said the doll. And because she was as good as freshly baked bread and completely upright, Pelusa took the pot, just as the lady had instructed, filled it halfway with water and threw in two pebbles. She placed it on the fire and, before

the good lady had said and cried with all her

covering it, said:

to the foot of the table, and went into the

kitchen to fetch a knife. Half-fainting in ter

ror, the poor girl screamed and cried, but when she saw old Cobwebs coming toward her with a huge knife, fully intending to

heart:

"Jesus, Mary and Joseph, Be my help and my guide!"

"Little pot, cook and bake Give me something good to eat For that sweet child's sake."

stood by the witch. But it was not really necessary for the very pores of the old

witch's skin were poisonous and any fly that landed on old Cobwebs paid for his foolishness with his life. Soon, the old

woman began to snore like the bellowing pipes of an old organ.

Then, all of a sudden, a thundering voice

Old Cobwebs watched all this open-

But, as the witch slept, Pelusa noticed

that seemed to come from Pelusa's pocket

mouthed and wide-eyed but did not dare say

that she was beginning to swell. First her

a word because Angelina was watching her

stomach filled out like a big balloon, then her head, then her hands and feet. Finally

said:

"Wretch!!I Let go of the girl!11"

indignantly out of the comer of her eye

At the same moment, the little doll

while pacing up and down the table ready at

her old wrinkled skin had stretched as far as

Angelina leaped like a frog from Pelusa's

a moment's notice to pounce on her nose

it could go.

pocket onto the old woman's huge nose.

again.

Mounting it as one would a horse, she

down old Cobwebs' face. The old woman

When the water began to boil, Pelusa raised the lid and could hardly believe her eyes. Instead of clear water and the two pebbles, there were two delicious-looking quails stewed in a savory sauce that filled

could tell where she went, except that her nose ended up on top of the church steeple. (And there it remains to this very day, for

screamed in terror and dropped the knife as

the whole kitchen with its delicious odor.

the church sacristan, Johnny Shivers, made

began to scratch the witch's forehead and eyes so fiercely with her small wooden nails that blood was soon running in streams

she desperately tried to remove those terri

BOOOMMM! There was a tremendous

Very soon, the fragrant smell reached

explosion as the old witch burst like a

pierced balloon. And mind you, no one

a weather vane from it and placed it at the

ble "glasses" from her nose, but not even a

the scratched and bruised nose of the old

very top of the bell tower as a waming to

tornado would have succeeded in pulling

witch. Greedy and shameless as she was, she snatched the pot from Pelusa, gulped

evildoers.)

down the two quails, bones and all, drank

because old Cobwebs had cursed the little

Angelina away. While Angelina furiously scratched, she

shouted in her piping little voice:

"Shameless old woman, let the child go or I will pull your eyes out!" Old Cobwebs had no other choice but to untie Pelusa. As soon as Pelusa was

And all this was a punishment from God boy who had eaten her soup:"May the soup turn into poison and make his stomach burst!" And that, my child, is becau,se God neither drinks nor eats, but judges what He sees. And regardless of time, God can demand payment for good

free, Angelina leaped onto the

or bad actions without a second's notice.

â&#x2013;

continued in next issue.)

About the author Luis Coloma was born of a distinguished family in Jerez, Spain, in 1851. From his youth he showed signs of a brilliant intelligence and a great aptitude for literature. He studied law at the University of Seville

novelist and biographer. A great part of his work was written in the fomr of short stories that he used as an efficacious tool in his apostolate. The stories, animated and laden with moral significance, reflect a

and received his doctorate in 1874, but his career was not to be in law.

keen psychological sense. In 1908 he became a member of the Spanish

Having felt for some time a strong religious call, he entered the Society of Jesus in that same year. His life as a Jesuit was spent, among many other things, in leaching, sickness, and writing. Father Coloma occupies an eminent place in Spanish literature as a

MARCH-APRIL, 1997

Royal Academy of Letters, a much belated honor according to some. He died in 1915 at the age of 64. "Pelusa." but one of his many children's stories, is taken from Obras Coinpletas de P. Luis Coloma (Madrid; 1960).

History was a special gift above their own created nature. This supernatural life, or sanctifying

Basic Histmy Course

grace,enabled them to share in the inner life of the Three Divine Persons. Our first par ents could have lived in union with the

Blessed Trinity and moved forward to a

Western

JVILIZATION

vision of the Divine Essence without pass ing through the sorrowful pain of death. Unfortunately, refusing to depend on God

for their happiness, they depended rather on themselves and committed their infamous

by Jeremias Wells

sin at the instigation of Satan, who had made the same hoirible choice.

By this action. Satan and his fallen

CHAPTER

EIGHT

Jesus Christ: God, Savior, and King The Center of History

angels had declared "perpetual war and unceasing opposition" to the Blessed Trinity. Adam and Eve and all their descen

dants lost their supernatural life, became slaves to the demons, and were banished

from paradise. The conflict was further heightened when God consoled our first

parents with the thought of a future Redeemer who would be the seed of the woman who would crush the head of the

Part I

serpent, When God told the devil in what is

the

fullness

time

known as the Proto-evangelium (first Gospel): "I will put enmities between thee and the woman, and thy seed and her seed:

During the fifteenth year of Tiberius

cluded his remarks, "Every tree that

she shall crush thy head,"^ He established

Caesar, a gaunt, ascetic preacher with a long, majestic beard appeared

bringeth not forth good fruit, shall be cut down and cast into the fire." At the very

the

in the desert regions near the Jordan River.

onset of Christ's ministry the conflict

offspring, the Christians, on one side and

Whenever he began to speak, large crowds

between the sons of light and the sons of

the devil and his followers on the other. In

would gather to hear the powerful voice that burst forth like thunder."Do penance,for the

darkness appeared. That conflict reached its climax only

Saint John declared that this warfare would

Kingdom of God is at hand," he would cry

three years later when we see the lacerated

out. His listeners, seized with religious fer

body of Jesus Christ hanging on a cross. Groaning under the weight of unspeakable

last throughout history. This deprivation plunged mankind into a spiritual death far more horrible than that of

suffering. He exclaims, ''Consummatum esfâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;It is consummated (John 19:30).

life, became obscured. The will became

vor, asked him about his mission. With a

soul afire with the action of the Holy Ghost, he would answer,"I am the voice of one cry ing in the wilderness. Prepare ye the way of the Lord... All flesh shall see the salvation of

After hearing Our Lord's unusually strong

classic

battle

lines

between

the last book of the Bible, the Apocalypse,

the body. Reason, .separated from divine

voice and viewing the spectacular manifes

inclined toward evil and the higher faculties lost their dominion over the body, which rebelled against it.

God."' And so Saint John the Baptist

tations accompanying Our Lord's death, a

announced to the world that the great drama

centurion of the Roman Guard declared,

of history was about to enter its most momentous phase, the public ministry of

"Truly this man was the Son of God."

essarily aro.se between men a disoi

Where do we begin this story of the greatest turning point in history? Certainly we go back to the Incarnation and before. The Baptist mentioned not only Abraham

relation, all the more destructive since

Our Lord Jesus Christ.

Mingled with the crowd from Jerusalem came the haughty and conceited Scribes and

the

Redeemer and His Blessed Mother and her

Because of this dreadful state, there nec

by their very nature aie socially inclined and must live in union with each other. A review of the last decades before the binh of

Pharisees. These puffed-up hypocrites, who

but also Isaias, and he quoted Malachias,

Our Lord shows that in Roman society there

laid excessive burdens on the people, con

the last of the writer-prophets in point of

cerned themselves only with the superficial

time. In reality, the story of Our Lord Jesus

existed a hardness of heart, a contempt of humanity, a hatred of the poor and unfortu

aspects of religion. Thus they had little

Christ goes back to the creation of mankind.

nate, and an increasing thirst for blood,

Theology of historyâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; God's purpose^

nothing about the gross indulgence in vice.

sympathy with Saint John's teaching that true holiness dwells in the heart. When the

austere saint recognized them as the sons of

murder, and infamies of every sort, to say

those that murdered the prophets, he rebuked them with a thunderous voice,"Ye

offspring of vipers....in vain do you boast that Abraham is your father." He then con

Saint Paul sums up the history of the ancient world in his epistle to the Romans

Because of His infinite goodness and love, God gave Adam and Eve as members of the human race supernatural life, which

(1:29-31) quite well, and he was considered mild in comparison to other well-known ancient writers.

CRUSADE

History tence; He was distinct from the Father; and He was divine, therefore consubstantial with the Father.'' In verse 14, which is

The Mother of God united

the fallen angels. Furthermore, as Saint Thomas Aquinas has said, sin is an infinite

repeated three time every day in the Angelus, John goes on to say that the Word

tion of fallen man. He had determined that His Son should become man, but this antic

malice directed against the infinite majesty of God, and the magnitude of the outrage is measured by the dignity of the person offended. The atonement for the injury in this case could not be made except by a deed of infinite value. Only an enormous,

assumed a human nature, "And the Word

ipation was not confined to the single figure

was made flesh."

of the Redeemer. The original promise

sonality Who is at the very center of histo ry. The Incarnation climaxed one great his

ineffable love for us could have motivated

torical process and began another which

the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity to

continues to this day.

After original sin, God had the power not to will the reparation of the human race. We must remember that He did not reinstate

enter into history and assume a human

nature designed to suffer the utmost pain to rescue humanity from its misery.**

However, the

God-made-man, the

restorer of the human race, is a historic per

Between the Fall of Man and the

Incarnation, God revealed in a long, delib erate crescendo of announcements the

major events of Our Lord's life. God's preparation for

First, scattered declarations of a

messianic nature to the patri

the Incarnation

Given the enonoous number of scurrilous attacks on Our Lord's

with her Son

In God's great preparation for the salva

placed two great figures before the minds of those to whom it was given, and never after wards were they separated, either in the counsels of God or in the revelation to man.

When God placed enmities between the woman of Genesis 3:15 and the serpent. He referred to the enmities in the moral order

and conceived of a state of combat, opposi tion, and aversion between Our Lady and the devil and the offspring of both. Saint John completes this thought in the Apocalypse when he describes how the

archs appear in the early

dragon, since he cannot destroy Our Lady,

historical books of the

nor by extension the Church, makes war on her offspring, the Christians, throughout

Old

Testament.

God

divinity and dual nature generated

provides more detailed

by the so-called Enlightenment, the

information through

their history in an appalling

battle for

men's souls.

Higher Criticism of the nineteenth-

century rationalists, and continued down to our day by the popular

The original promise placed two great figures before the

news magazines, we should emphatically proclaim the funda mental truth of His eternal

minds of those to whom it was

existence as illustrated in the

early verses of Saint John's

given, and never afterwards were they separated.

Gospel. When God the Father

contemplates

all

magnificent,

infinite

attributes,

words.

His

other

divine

essence, a powerful image emerges, which is the Second Person of the Bles.sed Trinity,

King David in the Psalms. Finally the pace

Who has the same identical nature as the

quickens when the prophets, especially

Father. In other words, the Son is the

Isaias and Daniel, deliver the truth of

with His Mother who will crush the head of

Father's intelligence of Himself, and since

Christ's mission with such clarity that they approximate the Gospels themselves. The mysterious figure of Christ comes into focus with the extraordinary revelations that the divine Son of a virgin would be

the serpent who is the cause of Original Sin and the principle of all sins. Consequently,

the Father's intelligence is co-eternal with His existence, the Son has always existed with Him. Using other passages, theolo gians complete their explanation of the tri une Godhead by commenting that, because of Their magnificent beauty, goodness, and other infinite virtues, the Father and Son

born in Bethlehem and brought up in

As Cornelius a Lapide and numerous other exegetes have explained, it is Christ

Our Lady is intimately and ind united with her Son in the work o

''uhly lan

redemption." Since Their loving, powerful union was so evident in Our Lord's early

Galilee; that He would preach the Good

years on earth we will study them through

News to the pure and humble of heart; that

her eyes.

possess such a powerful love for each other

He would be despised and rejected, and led

that this love generates the Third Person, the Holy Ghost. The relationship between the Father and

to the slaughter as a lamb; and finally that

The Immaculate Conception and

He would rise from the dead in the glory of

the Annunciation

the Son is what Saint John had in mind

hand of God, reign forever.

when he began his Gospel, "In the begin ning was the Word, and the Word was with

But the brutal irony of all this is that the very men who were studying the Scriptures

God, and the Word was God." Thus he

and eagerly awaiting the Christ denied Him

His resurrection and, seated at the right

Because of this enmity between Mary and the devil, she had to be completely free from Original Sin. Her spiritual combat required war and opposition to the devil

asserted three things; The Word, Our Lord

when He came. Instead, they waged war

rather than friendship. If Mary had been

Jesus Christ, pos.sessed eternal pre-exis-

against Him.

stained by sin even for a moment,she would

MARCH-APRIL, 1997

History

have been an associate of the devil, at least

in effect, Gabriel said,"God destined you to

difficulty and danger to adore the infant

temporarily. Her Immaculate Conception

become the Mother of Christ, the long

Christ. Yet the Scribes, the scrupulous

can be illustrated in a more positive way by

awaited Liberator of mankind."

lawyers of the Temple, who knew where the

describing the announcement of the angel

After Gabriel indicated that the concep tion would be miraculously induced by the

nience themselves to go to Him, and the

Gabriel to Mary that she was to become the

Messias was to be born, did not inconve

Mother of God.

Holy Ghost, he remained silent awaiting her

brutal King Herod, from his immoral,

Gabriel, bearer of the great message from God himself, arrived at Mary's cottage

answerâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;and not only he, but also the entire

in Nazareth in Galilee for what Father Louis

united itself so perfectly to the divine will as when Mary answered: "Be it done to me

sumptuous court .sought only to kill Him. Forty days after Christmas, Mary and Joseph brought the Holy Infant to the Temple to perform the pre.scribed cere

according to thy word." Among all the virtues that Mary manifested at that

Purification. While there they met Simeon,

Pillion calls the greatest mystery in the his tory of the world.^ He saluted her with that most beautiful and reverent greeting that mankind has been using ever since, thou

sands of times every day, "Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with thee."(Luke 1:28) Grace is often thought of as the bounti ful action of God's goodness, and it is that,

enslaved world. Never has the human will

moment in their plenitude, confidence in God and courage must head the list, for she was not ignorant of the prophecies which foretold the great sufferings of the Messias in which she was called to share.

nature, the inner life of God. The "fullness

of grace" indicates that Our Lady pos.sessed grace to such a degree that the Jesuit the

a devout old man who despite the sad times,

kept alive in his soul the expectation of the Savior, for the just suffered great temporal evils from the Romans and Herod and great

spiritual misfortune from the Scribes and the Pharisees. When his aged eyes fell upon

but much more. Catholic doctrine states that

it is a principle which vivifies the soul with spiritual life and power and makes it pleas ing to God. Moreover, the recipients of sanctifying grace participate in the divine

monies we call the Presentation and the

The sorrows of Our Lady

the glorious Child, he chanted his famous hymn of joy, the "'Nunc diminish after

Our Blessed Lord was a man of sorrows,

which he made two startling predictions to

and by suffering He redeemed the world. This same law of suffering touched all who came in contact with Him in proportion to

Mary under the influence of the Holy Ghost. He told her, in effect, that the name of her Son would divide the civilized world

their holiness. So it can be no wonder that

into two great parts, those with Him and those against Him. Simeon then closed his somber remarks by foretelling that cruel

than the whole Church, more than all men

the intensity of His Blessed Mother's suf fering reached epic proportions and were rendered inseparable from His own Passion.

and angels together." Indeed, since the

The greatest event in the history of the

ologian Francisco Suarez could declare, "God loved the Blessed Virgin Mary more

torments would pierce her soul. Her suffering was not long in coming,

Word proceeds eternally from the Father, it

world occurred in a wretched cavern, a sta

for while .she was still nursing the Child

was quite fitting that He should be born on earth from a mother whose perfect sanctity

ble located in a grotto. However, the humil

Jesus, an angel warned Joseph to immedi

ity and meanness of the surroundings of the

ately take flight to avoid the monstrous wrath of Herod, in consequence of which dozens of innocent newborn boys were

had never been stained.

The angel's words greatly troubled Mary, but he reassured her, "Behold thou shalt conceive in thy womb and shall bring forth a son; and thou shalt call his name

holy birth which Mary and Joseph must have felt keenly were quite fitting for Him Who was to die on a cross.

Contrasts abound from the very begin

ning. Noble strangers, the famous Magi,

Jesus...the Son of the most High." There can

who were obedient to the light given by

be no doubt Our Lady fully understood that.

almighty God, came from afar, enduring

slaughtered. The Holy Family was forced to endure an extremely difficult and exhaust ing journey to Egypt, dragging themselves along for over a week with little food or

water. After the impious murderer died a rotting, stench-filled death, they returned to Palestine and settled in Nazareth.

Notes

Sorrow also accompanied the Blessed Mother on a trip to Jerusalem for a Jewish

1. Biblical quotations are from the Douay-Rheims Challoner or, in order to

importance in The Preparation of the

feast when Jesus was twelve. On the

Incarnation (London, 1915), p. 6 and

trip when she thought the Boy was

add life and attractiveness to the narrative,

throughout.

4. Rev. Henry Denifle, O.P. Humanity: from a harmonized paraphrase by the Very Rev. Augustine Berthe, C.SS.R., Jesus Its Destiny and the Means To Attain It Christ. His Life, His Passion, His Triumph (New York, 1911), pp. 61ff. 5. Rev. Reginald Garrigou-Lagrange, (St. Louis, 1914). Here and the following O.P., Christ the Savior (St. Louis, 1950), p. paragraph from pp. 51-56. 2. Adapted from Rev. Denis Fahey, 28. 6. Gregory Alastruey, The Blessed C.S.Sp., Ph.D., The Mystical Body of Christ and the Reorganization of Society Mary (St. Louis, 1963) pp. 99-102. (Cork, 1945), pp. 2-5.

7. Life of Christ, v. 1, p. 257.

where in the oriental caravan, she discov

ered to her horror that He was missing. For three days amidst crosses and mortifica tions, Mary and Joseph searched for Him.

They finally found Him among the rabbis in the Temple, burning with zeal to spread the right knowledge of God. Mary said to her

Son,"We sought Thee sorrowing," and the

Boy replied, "1 must be about My Father's business." The things of God are above

alone in this ob.servalion (see note 6),

8. Quoted in Rev. A.E. Breen, Ph.D., D.D.,A Harmonized Exposition ofthe Four

evei7 other consideration, and His youthful heart bore the great design of the world's

Henry James Coleridge, S.J., stresses its

Gospels (Milwaukee, 1927) v. 1, p. 69.

redemption.

3. Gen. 3:15. Although he is far from

â&#x2013;

CRUSADE

The Innocent Les of a Clock

by Paulo Correa de Brito Filho

ÂĽ othic cathedrals have often been called gospels in stone. While being unequalled masterpieces of architecture and sculpture, they exercise an

important educational function for the people, teaching Catholic doctrine by means of images in stone. Similar to the cathedrals in this respect and characteris tic of the Middle Ages were picturesque clocks with mov

ing figures, whose continued development delighted the people. The clock in the Old Town in Prague, the capital of the

present Czech Republic, is a noted example of this. It was installed in 1410 in the stone tower of an old building. Our first photo shows the larger and more important

part of this ingenious device. A scene is enacted as each hour strikes. This begins to the immediate right of the clock-face where a skeleton

appears, representing death. The figure rings a bell, raises an hourglass, and nods its skull to the figure at its left, a Turk, who rejects death by turning his head away in dis agreement.(Both figures are shown in detail in the small photo below.) Figures on the other side of the clock-face (shown at right) represent two vices. On the left, mirror in hand, is vanity; on the right, bearing a sack of money, is avarice.

An angel above the clock-face represents

the government of the city. At the sounding of each hour, two Apostles appear in the open

ings at the angel's sides. All the members of the Apostolic College take their turns in the windows every six hours, an effective device for teaching catechism to children. In our

photo. Saint John and Saint Simon appear in the left and right windows, respectively. Following all these movements, the roost

er at the top plays the final role, closing the

display with its call. For six centuries now successive genera

tions have enjoyed the clock of the Old Town. Great numbers of people still gather before it today to enjoy the innocence of days gone by.

a m

ÂŤ

'K.

Give me, O Lord my God, wiaPiis left Thee, that which no one asks of Thee.

I do not ask thee for rest or tranquillity, either of soul or body. I do not ask Thee for riches, for success, or for health.

So many ask Thee for these, my God, that none must be left Thee. Give me, Lord, what is left Thee. Give me what the others refuse.

I want risk and anguish; I want fight and pain. Give me these, my God, once and for all.

Give me the certainty that these will always be my portion, for I will not always have the courage to ask them of Thee. Give me, O Lord, what is left Thee. Give me what others do not want.

But also give me courage, strength, and Faith. (Prayer Found by a French general in rhe pocket of a soldier killed in action at t3ien-Bien-Phu, Vietnam)

â&#x2013; iPa'.l

1^-

German Meiikal Aid Oraanizalwn

Germany

47918 Tdnlsvorsi

action meo

iiliaiement

liu

V-

Revolution cind Counter-Kevohition is a pro found and brilliantly argued study of the revoludonary process that began with

ertarian, and anarchic society-. The author considers this process the Revolution.

Not simply "negative," tliis study also describes

the decadence of Medieval Christendom in the

and analyzes the aims of the Counter-Revolution

fourteenth century. This process, driven by the dis

and the effective methods for obstructing and finally

orderly human tendencies, especially pride and sen

destroying the revolutionary process. It establishes

suality, leads to the gradual establishment of an

the grounds for certainty-â&#x20AC;&#x201D;not just hopeâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;in the

order of things completely opposed to Christian

victory of the Catholic Church, which is the very

civilizationâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;that is, a secular, wholly egalitarian, lib-

soul of the Counter-Revolution.

Hard-cover; 204 pages; $10. The American TFP,P.O

Crusade 5 ■ »> .1—1 lit...

Children in Sudan

^.ie^hudUiY^jU

IHlillilyrlill'll jl

May-June, 1997 ❖ In Brief

Cover: Bishop Macram Max Gassis distributes medicines to Sudanese children

Cover Article

The Voices of Many Ci7ing in the Wilderness

*1* Our Readers Write

Interview The case of the Church in the Sudan

has continually been put aside . . .. Interview with Bishop Macram Max Cassis from Sudan

•

Tssli'.

Prophets, Martyrs, Saints and Heroes Saint Peter Armengol

14 Our Lady of Fatima—our hope and our future

Commentary Tolerating the Secular State, the Enemy of Faith

❖ St. Theresa: Life in Carmel and

profession of Solemn Vows

❖ The Message of Fatima, Our Hope or Our Judgement? ... 20

The American TFP in Action Young Custodians Making Great Impact

Ambiences, Customs and Civilizations When Men and Commerce Lived in Serenity

25 "The case of the Church in ih

'an has

continually been put aside"

Basic History Course of Western Civilization Jesus Christ: God, Savior, and King The Center of History

Family Series Pelusa

29 More Christians

Crusade Magazine is a publication of the American Society for

have been

the Defense of Tradition, Family and Property (TFP).

martyred for their

Subscriptions in the United States and Canada, $24.00.

Foreign subscriptions, $30.00. List of other TFP publications available upon request. Direct all subscription requests and inquiries to: Crusade Magazine, P.O. Box 1868,York, PA 17405. Tel.: (717) 225-7147, Fax: (717) 225-7382, WWW.TFP.ORG.

faith in this

century alone than

in the previous nineteen centuries combined.

^ (3^on*t&i

£ Crusade Magazine Editor:

Take Note:

C. Preston Noelllll Associate Editors:

Earl Appleby

Suffering Catholics in Sudan

Thomas Becket Jack Bumham

Eugenia Guzman Gary Isbell

Thisissue of Crusade focuses on the too-little-known persecutions by the Islamic fundamentalist regime of Sudan against the Christian minority in the southern part of that country.

Our interview with Bishop Macram Max Cassis of the Diocese of El Obeid in Sudan is a moving and highly personal account of the experience

Thomas J. McKenna Photography: Todd F. Kamuf

Circulation: Steven A. Herrera Foreign Correspondents: AUSTRALIA: John S. Tucker

of Sudanese Catholics. He tells us Uie truth as it is, unadulterated by the

BRAZIL: Jose Carlos Seputveda

politically correct language so commonly employed in such discussions.

CHILE: Nelson Farias Blanco

His testimony is disturbing, but it is so in the good sense. It brings us back to the stark realities some Catholics, less fortunate than we,face on a daily

FRANCE: Benoit Bemelmans-

GERMANY: Beno Hofschulte PORTUGAL: Antonio C. de Azeredo

basis.

ROME: Juan M. Montes

When we hear of Christian girls being taken into slavery to be used as concubines, of young boys being kidnaped from their Catholic parents to be brought up as Muslims and trained as soldiers to help suppress their

SOUTH AFRICA: Richard Urban

SPAIN; Felipe Barandiardn

own people, how should we react?

It is not trendy to dwell on the current persecutions of Christians. It is more comfortable to be seeking common ground, ignoring the shame of Christian blood being shed in Muslim lands. But this is exactly how they would like us to act. Perhaps if we talk more about it they would think twice about sending helicopter gun-ships to stamp out Christians whose survival depends on resistance. In today's image-driven world, where the "communications revolution"

plays into every political, military, or religious conflict, the focus of public awareness often plays as important a role as material aid. What we are seeing in Sudan is not merely individual religious big

otry—which would be bad enough—but official state-supported, stateinflicted suppression. It shows us the true meaning of the theocratic state

The American TFP

The American Society for the Defense of Tradition, Family and Property (TFP) was founded in 1973 to confront the profound crisis shaking the modem world. It is a

civic, cultural and nonpartisan orga nization which, inspired by the tra ditional teachings of the Supreme Magisterium of the Roman Catholic Church, works in a legal and peace ful manner in the realm of ideas to

defend and promote the principles

of Islam. There is zero tolerance for Christians who remain faithful to

of private ownership, family and perennial Christian values with

their religion. Religious "tolerance," when they employ it, is not a princi ple, but a tactic, and one that disappears as soon as they deem convenient.

twofold function: individual social. The TFP's words and effoits

The resurgence of Muslim fanaticism in the Middle East and other

parts of the world should not be seen as a far-off problem. Perhaps the

have always been faithfully at the service of Christian civilization. The first TFP was founded in

military aspects of the problem are distant, but the psychological aspects

Brazil by the famous intellectual

are everywhere. And they are at least as important. If they feel the world

and Catholic leader Prof. Plinio Correa de Oliveira in 1960. His

just doesn't care, they will do what ever they consider expedient. What is being asked of us is relatively little. It is to take notice, to become angry at

what is happening to Sudanese Christians, to denounce the atrocities to the world—and,of course, to pray for those suffering.

work has inspired the formation of other autonomous TFPs in 26 coun

tries across the globe, thus consti tuting the world's largest anticommunist and antisocialist network of

Catholic inspiration.

CRUSADE

IN BRIEF program that promotes chastity outside mar

the soul of this heroic mother to her eternal

riage.

reward.

The suit claims that by rejecting the 'True Love Waits" program, which included the display of cards pledging abstinence from premarital sex, the Milwaukee High

0 The Church teaches

0 What has become of

School of the Arts violated the students'

tion of confession in

democracy?

freedom of speech. Opponents of the pro

cases

gram have, of course, cried "separation of

peril of death, a priest

The Stow, Ohio, city council voted 4-3

church and state."

earlier this year to remove a Christian cross

and Bible from the 30-year-oId city seal. Not a spontaneous deed, of course, the action

With the sole excep of

imminent

who has abandoned

On the other hand, Matthew Straver,

the

priesthood

president of the Liberty Council, a civil lib

marry cannot licitly

erties organization in Florida, wisely com mented that "It's outrageous that in our days

administer the Sacra

came in response to threats of a suit against the city by the American Civil Liberties

of skyrocketing teen pregnancy and sexually

those who would seek to pervert our

ments, and the faithful may not legitimately request them of him. A May 15 declaration approved by the Pope and signed by Bishop Julian Herranz, president of the

remove the cross. "To elevate one faith is to

younger generations: "He that shall scandal

Pontifical Council for the

oppress all others," he wrote. Local residents packed City Hall an hour

ize one of these little ones that believe in

Interpretation of Legislative Texts,

Me, it were better for him that a millstone

before the meeting in which the voting would take place. When the decision was

should be hanged around his neck, and that he should be drowned in the depth of the

reaffirms standing Church discipline, point ing out that for an ordained priest marriage constitutes "a violation of the obligations of

announced, those who had voted to retire the

sea"(Matt. 18:6).

his clerical status."

0 Portugal

Addressing the possible misinterpreta tion of the phrase "whenever one of the

transmitted diseases, schools choose to

Union of Ohio.

In a letter to the council prior to its vote,

extinguish a message of hope from students

Brian J. Williams, the chairman of the Catholic Commission of the Diocese of

who care and want to be responsible." Our Lord Himself issued a warning to

Cleveland, had urged council members to

seal received a smattering of polite applause. The three who voted to retain the seal

received thunderous applause and a standing In February of this

ovation.

Outside the meeting, angry residents

year, the Portuguese

shouted that the council members had "let

Parliament rejected a left-wing bid to libcr-

the enemy come in and steal our freedoms."

According to the mayor and several council members, most of the letters and

alize

â&#x20AC;˘

abortion.

rw^,

The

faithful requests a Sacrament or sacramen tal...for any just reason," which is con

â&#x20AC;˘Porio

tained in the Code of Canon Law and

i â&#x20AC;˘LIbson

proposal, in the land of Our Lady of Fatima,

phone calls they received during the sevenmonth debate over the issue favored keeping the seal, notwithstanding the threatened law

abortion

suit that might have cost Stow some

within the first twelve weeks of pregnancy.

$300,000.

Of course, the popular will is not the

ultimate measure of right and wrong, but it seems ironic that the more we hear about

would

have

would be illicit.

allowed

Portugal

on demand

0 Homo-Hawaii update

May the grace of God maintain those

A compromise of sorts has been reached

faithful in this Roman Catholic country firm

in the battle raging in Hawaii between those

in their determination to prevent the inva sion of this scourge of the family.

of a married couple and those who would

establishing or preserving "democracy" elsewhere in the world the less evidence we

have at home that the "people" are being heeded or even heard when it comes to pre serving what remains to us of our heritage of Western Christian civilization.

0 Fighting fire In another action early

a good lesson for all

bills for a constitutional amendment uphold Margie Janovich of Omaha was five months pregnant in July of 1995 when she

ing traditional marriage, desired by con.serv-

was

state's November 1998 ballot, and a most

diagnosed

with

thyroid

cancer.

ative lawmakers and to be included in this

generous benefits package ceded to those

nancy, she decided to postpone any treat

who fit the bill as "un-married couples,"

ment. "I would much rather give up my life

desired by liberal lawmakers.

for my baby," she said.

The compromise notwithstanding, the Hawaii Supreme Court is still expected to

this year, a Christian stu dent group in Milwaukee

Only after the birth of a healthy child, her ninth, the following January, did she

legalize homosexual "marriage." though

tiled suit against a high

begin chemotherapy. Unfortunately, the unusually aggressive cancer had already

tions. Such a decision would be contrary to

school

and

the

local

school

district for the

school's refusal to allow a

MAY-JUNE, 1997

upholding the traditional and licit definition pervert it to include "couples" of the same gender. This compromise is an agreenici ,i

0 A noble .sacrifice,

Informed that treatment could end her preg

with fire?

which is preceded by the stipulation that

suspension of priestly ministry might allow some exceptions, the papal commission insisted that routine exceptions to the rule

spread. A variety of treatments over the next twenty months failed, and God summoned

possibly only after the November 1998 elec

the widespread public support in Hawaii for traditional maniage.

IN BRIEF 0 Concerned parents struggle for the souls of their children In what has every appearance of a precedent-setting lawsuit,

moting a variety of deviations from the norms set by God and

Jodi Hoffman, a Florida mother of three, has sued the Fort Lauderdale-Broward County school district for teaching unsuit

nature.

able sex education to the over 200,000 children in this school dis

his law practice to investigate and pursue the case after attempts

trict's public schools in direct violation of Florida Statutes and

to reason with the school district proved futile.

School Board policy. This is the first time in American history that a major metro

In an age in which certain "benevolent" individuals and orga nizations have had no qualms of conscience in striving (and with

politan public school curriculum has been so extensively chal

growing success) to wrest from parents their God-given duties and rights concerning their own offspring, this case merits the

lenged in the courts.

Mrs. Hoffman's husband Paul, a local attorney, has given up

moted as the way to avoid teenage pregnancy and that the cur riculum respect the rights and conscience of parents. The ABC Television-produced video portion of the human sexuality course informs students where and how abortions can

attention of all parents across the nation. The Hoffmans are determined not to give up the fight, yet they have no income. Funds are urgently needed to assist in the pros ecution of the case. Expert wimesses will be called from around the country and lengthy depositions of school officials, teachers,

be obtained, how much they cost, what states are currently not

and others will have to be taken.

Florida statutes specifically require that abstinence be pro

enforcing abortion laws and how children can keep their parents from finding out that they are having an abortion or receiving

Those who would like to help in this historic battle are

contraceptives. The text includes more than 50 articles (which

encouraged to write or call the Hoffmans at: 1304 SW 160th Ave., Suite 122, Weston, Fla. 33326; phone (954) 349-0366 or fax

decorum prevents us from listing) condoning,justifying, or pro

(954) 349-0361.

Included in the benefits package would

Defense and Educational Fund,Inc., in New

vocation will have the opposite

be any couple that cannot marry, such as a

York stated clearly that, while the conces

effect."

brother and brother, brother and sister, or

sion of the benefits package shows recogni

parent and adult child.

tion that gay and lesbian "families" exist

Fr. Marc Alexander of the Hawaii

and deserve respect and protection, it is still

Catholic Conference has stated that "We

not a substitute for marriage. It serves but to fuel their fight.

opposed the benefits package all along, but we knew that it was something we would have to live with in order to get the amend ment." He also stated that it was of greater concern that this benefits category creates a

0 One cannot serve

York Times and The

A recent study by the U.S. Bishops' Committee

al definition of marriage, it is difficult to

on Vocations shows that

see any victory in this. In our opinion it

religious celibacy is

was even a step backward. In truth, what compromise can there be

the greatest stum

bling block towards accepting a religious

with evil, especially as concerns the sacredness of marriage, without which the family, a basic pillar of society, would not exist?

Will it all end here?

the possibility of any strong reaction again.st them on the part of public opinion, they gradually reach the desired extreme. A spokesman for the Lambda Legal

Center, which con clients as The New

As regards the situation of the tradition

ward and one step back while minimizing

A survey con

ducts polls for such

two masters

have to be watched in the years to come.

it is of revolutionary forces to demand and labor for something exceeding their imme diate goals. Raising the standard of their final goal but being "content" with attaining something less, they ultimately attain what they want. Repeatedly taking two steps for

vox Dei

ducted by the Roper

parallel structure to marriage, which will

In answer to this, we recall how typical

0 Vox populi,

Wall Street Journal, shows

that

69%

Catholics in the U.S. do not

approve of the use of "inclusive language" in new translations of the Bible and liturgical texts. Though proponents of this and kindred

vocation, even among

projects often cite "urgent pastora' 'nmI"

youth most active in

for their schemes, this poll, accu

Church activities and

within 3%, indicates neither urgency nor

who most admire the

need.

Those who disagree with Church teach

clerics and religious with whom they are acquainted. Of those who responded to the

ings and do not frequent Mass regularly

study, 61% had not seriously considered a

language, whereas those who attend Mass

were more inclined to favor the inclusive

vocation.

regularly and support Church teachings on

But happily, for 76% of those who had, one of the most appealing aspects of the lives of clergy and religious is the personal

such issues as abortion and the ordination of

sacrifice to serve God and neighbor.

The report states, "Cultivating such ide alism is likely to cultivate vocations. Deemphasizing the high demands of a church

women strongly rejected it. Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;those who would presumably be most urgently in need of pastoral relief

from the traditional English, that is, "sex ist," translationsâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;opposed inclusive lan guage by 68%.

CRUSADE

Cover Article

The Voices of Many Crying In the Wilderness by Orlando Lyra

Suffering Catholics in faraway lands will never forget our prayers and public expression of concern for them.

Peter, a nine-year-old Christian boy

actively raising money in Europe and the

from the Sudanese Dinka tribe, was sent to the market by his mother to buy tomatoes. But he never returned to her.

Sudan. (See our interview with Bishop

Police officers of the Muslim government

Cassis on pages 8-13.)

grabbed Peter, threw him into a truck, and

brutally until he renounced Christ and was forcibly "converted" to Islam.

The Republic of Sudan, the largest country in Africa, covers an area of nearly a million square miles. It is bordered by Uganda and Kenya in the south, Egypt in the north, Ethiopia in the east, and the

Eventually escaping from this camp,

Republic of Chad and the Central African

drove him to Fau, a children's "cultural

cleansing" camp, where he was beaten

United States to buy back the children of the villages in his diocese of E! Obeid,

indigenous African beliefs. Of the 5 to 5.5 million Christians, approximately 2.5 mil lion are Catholic.

Conversion to Christianity is a capital offense in Sudan. In August of 1995, five Nubian women were sentenced to death

for "apostasy," for abandoning Islam. In late 1995, ten people were arrested for converting to Christianity.

The persecution, begun 15 years ago,

and has killed 200,000 people. Over four

Peter made his way back to his mother. He

Republic on the west. The Sudanese popu

million men, women, and children have

was one young .soul who had the opportu nity to tell his story to investigator Kevin

lation is 55% Muslim, with the other 45% made up of Christians and adherents of

fled to neighboring countries, which have been devastated by famine. But that does

Vigilante, who traveled to northern Sudan

1995. Sadly, thousands of other

Sudanese children are not so fortunate.

Even as you read this article, Sudanese

Christian women and children are being bought and sold, some for as little as $15, in a thriving slave market. The Boltimore

Sun, with the help of Christian Solidarity International, has shown beyond a shadow

of a doubt that slavery remains an ongoing practice in the Sudanâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;despite the denials of Sudan's Islamic fundamentalist govern ment and its supporters. Beginning on June 16, 1996, the Sun ran three front-page articles, with expressive photographs, detailing how two of its reporters in the Sudan bought two such slaves, whom they immediately returned to their families.

The slave traders dress kidnapped Christian children in red tunics so that

those who run away can be more easily found. Bishop Macram Max Cassis, the

international spokesman for the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Sudan, has been

MAY-JUNE, 1997

Children from southern Sudan holding pictures of Bl. Daniele Comboni, a nineteenth-century missionary bishop In Sudan

More Christians have been mar not impress the persecutors: "The train of the Islamic revolution has started to move

tyred for their faith in this cen tury alone than in the previous

and to gain momentum by the grace of Allah." proclaim the leaders of the

nineteen centuries combined.

Mohammedan revolution. Their goal is to Islamize the whole country, cost what it

this continuing tragedy.

The heart-rending accounts of

missionaries, priests, religious, and lay people coming from the enormous areas dominated by the Crescent do not seem to interest the

major media, usually so avid for sensational news. Even more incomprehensible is that this tragic news has not reached many

may.

When the Muslim government troops move south, where most

American Catholics from the pulpit. Nina Shea, whose book In the Lion's Den* documents this and

of the Christians live, believers are given three options: convert to

Islam, flee, or be killed. The systematic persecution of Christians in southern Sudan is one of the greatest martyrdoms the Church has

other current persecutions against Christians, writes; "Christian citizens need to do something when the U.S. government refuses

undergone in Africa. Islamic fundamentalism, particularly power ful in the Maghreb, is one of the worst problems confronting the

to safeguard religious liberties around the world. It is lime for Christians to use pulpits and publications to cry out in defense of

Church in Africa today.

Sudan is a vivid illustration of a much wider tragedy, namely

fellow believers. It is time to write to representatives in

the general, systematic, and cruel persecution unleashed against

Washington D.C.. demanding reforms in the U.S.Immigration

Christians within the Islamic world. Based upon the Koran and

upon the constitutions, laws, and usages of each country, this per

Naturalization Service's poliey and calling for protection of per secuted Christians as a top priority when the U.S. negotiates with

secution is at times perpetrated by the authorities, at times by mobs

other countries.... Christians also need to keep the suffering

riled up by fundamentalist minorities, and at times by both.

Church in prayer. Suffering believers in faraway lands will never forget our prayers and public expression of concern for them." ■

Volume upon volume of irrefutable, documented evidence con tinues to surface, showing that more Christians have been martyred for their faith in this century alone than in the previous nineteen cen turies combined. Unfortunately, Americans know very little about

* Nina Shea. In the Lion's Den. (Nashville: Broadman & Holman

Publishers, 1997). p. xi.

Our Readers Write

The Freedom from

Religious Persecution Act Sen. Aden Specter, R-Pa., and Rep. Frank Wolf, R-Va., have recently launched a bicam

eral, bipartisan legislative effort to stem inter national religious persecution. The recently introduced Specter-Wolf "Freedom from

ft Or ooitctoM

Religious Persecution Act" results from sever al months of intensive crafting with members of America's religious community. The bill

would create a senior White House position to monitor levels of foreign persecution and pro vide for the imposition of varying levels of

iLprll 33. 19" j^SMCfSTtATrVt VKB OtUSKAK

«r. Mrio Hav«rro d* Coats 4107 tJortn 27th RMd

PAX

Arlington, Virginia "J"'

COCMCIL

Dear Horlo:

sanctions against countries that violate the

congratuationa on th. .op«b fuU-p.g. «d i" rh-

human rights of religious minorities. It would also allow expedited a.sylum proceedings for

persons fleeing from religious persecution.

W«ndir«r of April 24.

^S,ro("on.rr«i:ii-"o^^bi^«SicrtoU;ron

mxi p— cwteQ r-i«T WJI MAAC LMin

\.ha aaaa aubjact.

SSio-TS,

eod bl.." yov

Hill press conference on May 21, Senator Specter stated, "I am pleased to Join with Congressman Wolf in introducing this legisla tion, which will work against the persecution of...religions around the world. There is noth ing more fundamental than freedom of reli gion, and when the facts come out as to what is happening to Christians in China, in the Sudan, in Egypt, what happened to those who

loaderahlp.

With paraonil boat vlohaa. I a»

Announcing the legislation at a Capitol

hlllip*

HP:1aB

UrvU-uC CMtePoM*

prayed in their own homes in Saudi Arabia—

arrested right out of their own homes, held in

Jr.

detention, incommunicado—I believe we'll

have a lot of support for this legislation, and I'm optimistic we can get it passed this year."

TW BS^

•

Our Readers Write pointed out the wolf in sheep's clothing. Sincerely, Dear Editor,

V.G., New York

Your coverage of the scandalous Mass for homosexuals in Rochester is a great service to all true Catholics. By exposing this grievous event, you are waking us up to the sad reality of the crisis in the Church today. Congratulations on your excellent and enlightening analysis.

In the diocese of Rochester, however,

Dearestfriends,

the crisis continues. On May 6, 1997,

Having received the latest issue of Crusade, I rush to congratulate you for the excellence of the articles regarding homo

Bishop Gumbleton came to Rochester to preach not only the acceptance of

providing the widest possible dissemina

homosexuality in the Church, but also to promote the feminist agenda and to assail the right of private property. Using the

tion to these articles and that Church

theme "A Church in Search

sexuality and the scandals of the diocese of Rochester. I hope and pray that you are

authorities in Rome and throughout the United States receive them: They have the right to know the truth, and we have the right to their guidance according to the Gospel. Best regards to all from your friend, Fr. E.R., Miami

Dear Sirs, Great Magazine! I was one of the pro

testers at Bishop Clark's Gay Mass. Too bad our local paper didn't write the kind of

article you did. Keep it up! M.A., New York

of Justice," he talked about

several "injustices" in the Church today, but

specifically com plained of "injustices" against the poor, against non-whites,

against women and lastly, but not the least of course, "injustice" against homo.sexuals.

. .

My Dear Mr. Noell,

Speaking before a seemingly sym pathetic group of parishioners at the Church of St. Catherine of Sienna.

I have been in touch with your Mr.

Bishop Gumbleton attacked the right to

Edward Ritchie who knows how important 1 believe Crusade Ma^^azine is for young people in today's chaotic world. Dorothy

private property by proclaiming that no

Sayers warned that it had to be one or the other: Creed or chaos.[Now] we have chaos.

Might your magazine be the instrument

that Our Blessed Mother is using to temper the Divine Chastisement? J.F., South Carolina

one has the right to own more than one

needs, and that wealth should be equally divided among everyone as "the world

belongs to us all." He said, "Poor people

Dear sir:

Thank you for sending "Crusade." It is certainly well done. It is creative, well-

should never exist," and that society

written, and the topics are very important

today is committing a "social sin" by per petrating this "injustice" to the poor. By disparaging private ownership and pro moting total equality, is the Bishop say ing that there is no such thing as robbery

in today's world.

TRUTH, and are able to reason it out for

or theft, and accordingly, no such thing

themselves.

as the Seventh and Tenth

Another aspect of your magazine is the

quoting of St. Thomas Aquinas. It is so vital that people today know about

I especially like the emphasis oi ''

Commandments? Is he saying that the

TORY. So much is being changed ii,

To: tfp@tfp.org Hi...And may God continue to bless

Christian doctrine of a harmonious social

schools today. Please continue to make ii

hierarchy, as taught by the Church, is not

available for our readers.

your work!...] am sure you are getting

valid? Furthermore, Our Lord Jesus

overwhelmed by this question, but I must

Christ said in the Gospels: "The poor you

ask...Re: your cover article in Crusade "Is Sodomy No Longer A Sin"...Has there

been any official discipline or sanction against Bishop Matthew Clark?...Or

Bishop Gumbleton?...Kind of scary thinking these are our leaders...Maybe the "Great Schism" is coming...Let me know please. Thank you, T. W.

MAY-JUNE, 1997

have always with you, but me you have not always" (Matt. 26:11). 2000 years ago. Our Lord warned us of

"wolves" coming and posing as "sheep." "Beware," He said, "of false prophets, who

As much as I like it...I will tell others about it. C.H.. Missouri

Please send your Letters to the Editor to:

come to you in sheep's clothing, but

Crusade Magazine

inwardly are ravenous wolves." The

P.0. Box 1868,

Catholic Church condemned Communism because it denies the existence of God and

the right to own things. Mother Church has

York,PA 17405

or crusade@tfp.org

"The case of the Church in

the Sudan has continually been put aside." Bishop Macram Max Gassis

Crusade recently had the privilege of interviewing Bishop Macram Max Gassis (pronounced gah-sees). Bishop in exile of the diocese of El Obeid in the Sudan.

Bishop Gassis, citing historical and archaeological evi

turn threw me into the hands of the prosecutor. I was crossexamined and had to be bailed out.

"I thought the case had been put on the shelf, but a Christian lawyer from El Obeid called and told me this was

dence and tradition, informed us that the Catholic Church in

not so. He knew because the attorney general had failed to use

the Sudan dates back to the time of Saint Philip the Apostle. Scholarly proof shows that the saint baptized the eunuch of the Queen of Ethiopia. At that time, Ethiopia basically meant everything south of Egypt, encompassing a number of present day countries, including the Sudan.

a certain legal procedure that would have indicated that it was shelved. Therefore, I was in danger.

"Not paying attention [to this danger], I left the Sudan in 1990 with every intention of returning. In fact, I left everything back in El Obeid. But, while I was out, it was dis

From 1973 to 1983, Father Gassis served as Secretary General of the

Nubian

Bishop's Conference of Sudan. At that

Desert

Hamed

3rdCat.

Dongola

time, he was entrusted with adminis

"Consequently, I underwent

Suakino

surgery at Georgetown University Hospital. During this time, a friend

tering the diocese of El Obeid. In

BthCat.

tbara

1988 he was consecrated bishop of

amer;

etsCat.

this same diocese. The diocese,

OmdurmanA vKari

Sudan's largest, is approximate ly two and a half times the size

Khartoum

WadM nnar

El Obeid

ErRoseiresb /

'^AEd Da'eln

"As the issue of human rights

damentalist regime of Khartoum.

ÂŠBuram cxiok Malakal

Zubeir

"I've been working hard to establish good relations with...governments, but I am not a

politician, and I don't intend to be one. I am

Had I done so, I feel I would have

betrayed the mission of the Church and my people. Therefore, I denounced [the persecution] at a Congressional hearing in

"So the Good Lord practically saved cancer, and the second, the Islamic fun

ama

has caused me a lot of headaches,

I could not keep my mouth shut.

Vatican that I should not return, for my life was at risk.

me from two mortal enemies, one being

Bishop Gassis explained

of mine, a Christian who was part of the military junta, informed the

assa

Ed Dueim

FasherÂŠ

of Italy.

why he is in exile.

covered that I had cancer.

simply a shepherd, and a frustrated and

ambura 'f>)

shepherd, because I see that human

..r Juba joMongallftVt ,

Washington in 1988. Then began my suffering and agony.

"In 1989, upon returning to the Sudan from a visit to Europe after the coup of the Islamic fundamentalist regime, my passport was confiscated. In fact, I was to have been arrested right at the airport. But, as I still had friends from southern Sudan in the regime of Khartoum, none of the police officers charged to arrest me dared to do so.

"My passport was traced and eventually returned. Some police officers even managed to bring me the accusation [against me], which I could read and from which I could take notes. I had to present myself to the attorney general, who in

rights are being trampled underfoot. Church in the Sudan

has continually been put aside. Even certain

organizations say that if you want to attract the attention of the

international community, don't speak about religious persecu tion. Speak about ethnic cleansing, about violations of human

rights. As if religious liberty is not part and parcel of human rights! "It is good that people such as yourselves come out and

bring up the issue of religious persecution. It is high time that our brothers in the United States and elsewhere come out and

say, 'Let us speak about religious intolerance and religious persecution in the Sudan,'"

CRUSADE

Cover Article - Interview

Interview with Bishop Macram Max Gassis from Sudan Crusade: Could you tell us something about the histori cal context of this persecution? We have read many things in the newspapers about the terrorist acts of the Sudanese state against the Catholics there. Is there a per secution against all save the Muslim religion, or are Christians the main target of this persecution?

same culture, the same religion, and the same language, which

is Arabic. [According to them] the people should be Arabized. Once you Arabize the people by means of the language, then you can also change the customs and traditions. The language brings with it the religion, which is Islam. Hasan Abdel el-Turabi, the mastermind of Islamic funda

mentalism in the Sudan, is a graduate of the Sorbonne and

Bishop Gassis: The Christians of course are the main target because [the Muslims] want to govern a country that has the

Oxford. He says that the Sudan is an Arab-Muslim nation, that

Christianity is an import of colonialism, that the true religion for the Sudan and the Sudanese is Islam.

Well, I just wonder why a person of the caliber of Hasan el-Turabi is trying to mislead international opin ion, trying to misguide or take people off the historical track by saying that Islam is the religion of the Sudanese. Why is he also trying to cheat his own citi zens in the Sudan?

For the information of Hasan el-Turabi, we admit that historically, the Sudan is not the cradle of Christianity. Christ was not born in Africa, but in Bethlehem.

But 1 ask. where was Mohammed bom? Definitely

not in the Sudan on the African continent. Both religions came from outside, yet while Mohammed never set foot

on the African continent, Christ did so when the Holy Family fled into Egypt from Herod's persecution. How does this man dare to say that Islam is the religion of the Sudan?

The ancient Christian monuments in Nubia testify that Sudan was Christian from the early centuries up to the eleventh century. Gradually the Christian kingdom

was destroyed by the Muslim invasion from Egypt and across the Red Sea. Christianity came to the Sudan before Islam.

Crusade: Could you tell us something abou. present situation of the persecution in Sudan'.' Bishop Gassis: For the last four years. 1 have been giving voice to the current persecution in the Sudan at

the United Nations Human Rights Commission in Geneva. 1 have been pointing it out here in the United States, in Germany, in Italy, wherever 1 went.

The destruction of the churches...is one of the targets of the Islamic militias and the army of Khartoum. Of late they have especially targeted the Nuba Mountains, Left: Bishop Macram Max Gassis greeting his flock on his arrival at the Nuba Mountains, located in his Diocese of El Obeid.

MAY-JUNE, 1997

Cover Article > Interview

Above: Southern Sudanese Christian fighters, having been almost

totally abandoned by all human help In their defense against major ity Islam terrorism attacks, pray before engaging In battle. Left: Bishop Gassis during his Interview with Crusade.

which are south of El Obeid, right in the

desecrate the churches; they loot whatever

as enemies and are sent to kill their own

middle of the Sudan.

can be looted. They take the doors, the win

people.

The future of the Church [in the Sudan]

actually lies in the Nuba Mountains, and in that district, as well as in southern Darfur.

dows, chairs, benches, even things they don't know what to do with, like the vest

Crusade: Why do you say the

vestments? What are they going to do with the crosses? What are they going to do with

future?

the catechisms or the bibles?

But everything is taken. They also loot

Bishop Gassis: I say the future because this is the area where the African ethnic

group lives. North of the diocese the people are mostly Arab or Arabized tribes that are Muslim, and therefore [in those places] there is little we can do.

As recently as April there were heli copter gunships coming in, high altitude

"Antelopes," which bombed innocent civil ians. And when they start to bomb heavily, then their army starts to move in. And when the army moves in, the first thing they do is

Crusade: And they do.

ments. What are they going to do with the Bishop Gassis: It is diabolical "^ho young men are sent to the fields to wi to look after the cattle. This is slavery, and it is a shame that... There was a conference

the villages. They take children, young women. Of course, they kill the elderly peo

in Germany, and there were some big jour

ple. They take the young women as instru ments of pleasure, with the intention of get ting them pregnant and producing children that are no longer of purely African blood.

Africa more than the Africans, and they

nalists and others who pretended to know

were questioning whether we were precise with our terminology when it comes to slav ery.

The children that are bom are Muslim. Or

When a person is deprived of his or her

they [the young women] are taken as con cubines by the militias or the army. Young men are taken as slaves or are given military training. They have them brainwashed to the extent that they see their own kinsman

freedom, this person is enslaved! When a person is abducted by force, and taken else

where, and given work to do without pay, this is slavery! When a young girl is taken and raped, this is slavery!1 don't know what

CRUSADE

Cover Article - Interview

kind of slavery they expect us to define. Any person that is taken against his or her will, this is enslavement. And I don't know what kind of semantics or defini

tions these people want from us.

I am speaking from experience. Nobody can contradict me and say that there is no slavery in the Sudan. Before I

left my diocese, I freed about fifty young boys and girls, I had to pay their parents and relatives whatever was asked by their captors, and these kids were freed.

There was a Dinka chief who came to

me in Khartoum and asked for money to pay for the transportation of over two

"The silence of the so-called Christian world

hundred young boys and girls who were freed in Darfur. I asked one of our leaders,

is a tacit consent to what is happening to us.

who was still in the regime, whether that

The silence of the so-called Christian

chief was genuine or not. I didn't want to

world is killing onr people."

give him the money and have him disap pear. And my friend told me that he was a

legitimate chief and encouraged me to give him the money, which I did. Do they

help

the

Sudanese

Crusade: The official regime, then, is definitely linked with this perse

Christians there?

cution?

Bishop Cassis: Adveniat operates

Bishop Cassis: It is not that the offi

black Africa. After that, they are going to turn to Europe, because Africa has the manpower. Africa has all the resources,

mineral, agricultural, whatever resources

only in Latin America. We get help from

you mention. Africa can become a real

Caritas, but that is not sufficient. We want

potential danger to Christian Europe, and

the cooperation of our Christian brothers and sisters from the United States, from

even to the United States.

cial regime is linked, the official regime is the promoter of the persecution in the Sudan! It is this regime that is perpetrat ing this persecution against the Christians. This regime has promulgated

the Church in the Sudan. In the first place,

Islamic laws. Islamic laws are discrimina

I have never heard, in any church,"Let us

tory laws against the non-Muslims. So if we have Islamic laws in the Sudan, that

have a day of prayer for the persecuted Church in the Sudan." I lived in a parish in

communism.

means that Christians don't have the same

Italy, where they have known me since 1970-something. I was celebrating Mass

about. In the Church, in the period of for

when the time came for the Prayer of the Faithful; "Let us pray for the suffering people in Somalia; Let us pray for the

practice to give great emphasis to show

rights and privileges as the Muslims.

Automatically they become second-class citizens.

I want to say something very sad. The silence of the so-called Christian

world is a tacit consent to what is happen ing to us. The silence of the so-called

Christian world is killing our people. As God asked Cain, "Where is your broth er?" I ask my brothers and sisters in

Canada. What are they doing?

Here there is potential that can help

people in South Africa; Let us pray for the

people, I don't know, in Sarajevo..." And here I am a bishop, a shepherd of the suf fering Church in the Sudan... I just could not believe it.

Yet nobody is paying attention. It's not something that is going to come

overnight. It is a process, and the process is active. And nobody is paying attention. Now, you mentioned the question of This is a topic which I reflect a lot mation given to souls, it has been our

ing how to combat and halt the advance of

communism. We study communism, we make critical and comparative analysis of it, we study history...we prepare ourselves very well, because this |communism| devil we have to fight. And all the while no one considered

Islam. And we are unprepared. And be

in Latin America, "Where are your

And I told myself that I was not going to keep quiet. And I said, isn't it strange that you have here the bishop of a perse

Sudanese brothers?"

cuted church who almost became an

they are unprepared.

Crusade: What about Caritas?

adopted son of your parish, and you would not even pray for his people?

What about Advcniat, all those German charitable insiitution.sâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;to

Tell me, how many priests or bishops took up the Koran just to study to see what is written there? Consequently, we

say, "Okay, let us speak out on behalf of

have become so naive, and we have

Europe, in the United States, in Canada,

Also, why can't bishops' conferences

that [we would next be] challenged by they our political or our spiritual leaders,

mention only themâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;which are sending, to Brazil for instance, mil

this suffering Church"? If Christianity is

arrived to the point of compromising our

destroyed in the Sudan, believe me, the

lions of dollars for the promotion

Islamization...of Africa will be fast!

faith! We have come to the point of just saying,"Oh, dialogue! Oh, mutual peace

of the communist-style subversion

The Islamic fundamentalists have an

of the people. Do they help you ?

agenda. Their agenda is the conquest of

MAY-JUNE, 1997

ful coexistence!"

I ask, but do you know what Islam is?

Cover Article â&#x20AC;˘ Interview

"The Islamic fundamentalists have an agenda.

Their agenda is the conquest of hlack Africa. After that, they are going to turn to Europe, because Africa has the manpower." Do you consent to dialogue based upon ignorance? Why don't the bishops and the Christian leaders, in the formative period,

begin to study Islam in depth? Why don't we choose amongst our lay men and women those who have a juridical mind and, instead of having them study only civil law, have them study Islamic jurisprudence?

you are saying now.

Bishop Gassis: And they probably did n't listen to him either.

Crusade: It is interesting that the

communist theoreticians are merging both communist and Islamic philoso

Tomorrow these people would be periios,

phy. You have a very good example

experts, [at the disposition of Church lead

of that in Roger Garaudy, the com

ers] for the resolution of certain issues. Crusade: This organization. Tradition, Family, and Property,

munist leader in France who convert

ed to Islam. He said,"Now we have

ful reality. And the French don't know how

the same maxims as communism,

to cope with it. Britain is coming next. And the rest... Germany...

but in the name of Allah, not in the

which has affiliates around the world

name of Marx, the name of the

in more than thirty countries, strong

state."

ly agrees with you. Prof. Plinio Correa de Oliveira, back in...

Bishop Gassis: 1947.

So, they link the same ideology with a mystical aspect which can conquer the people much easier than just the Soviet regime...

Crusade: Back in 1947, Prof. Plinio

Bishop Gassis: Now, it seems to me that

Correa de Oliveira said exactly what

Islam in France has become such a power-

Where is the biggest mosque today in Europe? In Rome. It is a shame. My brother worked in [a Muslim coun try] for five years as an executive of Mobil Oil. 1 could never go and visit my brother. It was not possible for him to give his children Christian instruction to prepare them for first Holy Communion or for Confirmation. He had always to tly to Sudan. Christians are not even allowed to have

a room...to pray! [In those places), where there are so many [technical] experts. Christians, nobody has the guts to say,"We are Christians. We have the

right to have a pastor or a priest..." None! All because of the Golden Calf,

money! Nobody stands up. Nobody. Why can't we have... A woman cannot go around with a cross around her neck. She has to cover it. You enter any port

of Saudi Arabia, they check yoi' 'nogage. they find a Bible, you're ii ble. Why can't I read my Bible? liui they can travel around with their Koran. Where is this Christian world? Where is it?

Crusade: Do you think that there has been a kind of silent invasion of

Western Europe by Muslims?

Left: A reception party for Bishop Gassis

CRUSADE

Cover Article - Interview

Bishop Gassis: There is definitely an invasion. It is no longer silent. Now it is reaching for us. The very fact that in France they are ask

cessful in that it encouraged the Christians,

Crusade: How do you see the "Freedom from Religious Perse cution Act," (see p.6) sponsored by

and it showed the regime that we are not an

insignificant minority. But, any agreement or any promise the regime made to the Holy

Senator Specter and' Congress-man Wolf, yet to be approved on Capitol Hill? Is it a good beginning?

ing that Islam be constitutionally acknowl

Father, not one was honored. Not one!

edged as the second religion of France, the very fact that they want to have their own

schools proves that they are no longer silent.

To this very day they bulldoze our cen ters. To this day our Christians cannot find jobs to sustain themselves and their fami

Bishop Gassis: I think this is a positive

They are reaching for us.

lies. To this day the poorest people are the

step. I wholeheartedly second it. But, let's

Christians. Our churches

be careful.

The same thing in Britain. The same thing in Germany. So I don't think it is

silent any more. It is wide open. Right in front of us.

I don't want to speak about the United States...! don't know how many of the AfroAmerican Muslims are really Muslims. I think it is really more of a political issue than

a religious issue, but there is the danger. Let's not ignore it.

Where is this humanitarian relief going to end? If it goes in the areas controlled by

the regime, believe me, only the crumbs will reach those it is intended for. [It will

only] fatten the Islamic militias, [enabling

What kind of liberty is this? I think that whatever they have said

them] to continue this war. This is a jihad, this is "holy war," and

through their embassies is a lie, a capital lie. This government is so involved in telling

holy war, jihad. It is written on mountain-

them.

sage of the bishops of Sudan called, "You Will Shake Hands Covered With Christian Blood."

being

ages.

lies that it has become Crusade: We've heard about a mes

are

destroyed, and our Christians have no schools. To this very day they don't allow expatriate Christians to come into the coun try. We cannot [even] have our own orphan

second nature to

they are not ashamed of declaring it! It is

tops! It is written on big posters! They had the guts to go to the church leaders and ask them to contribute to the holy war! Going back to Hasan el-Turabi,

when [he deals] with the Western

Are you familiar with this?

worid, is it jihad? Oh, no! It is not holy war. Jihad comes from a

Bishop Gassis'. I have seen it many times. When the Holy Father was

word that means endeavor and

perseverance to do good and avoid

evil! And our people, being igno-

going to visit Sudan we, the bishops

•

rant about Islam, say "That is cor-

who live across the other side, were not happy with that visit. We said

Pl,

rect. That is fine. There's nothing

||m

that it was inopportune at that moment. We thought that the

Let ihcm come and see it in

practice. It is to kill in the name of

regime would manipulate that mes

Allah, enslave in the name of

sage. They did! We felt that while the international

Allah! The booty you get is justi-

» *

fied. Women or children, they are

^ * 1

slavery. And therefore, let us be careful

■

that we do not just feed the

community had started to condemn

this regime, the visit of the Holy Father might give a certain kind of

legitimacy to it and that they would

exploit it for their benefit. And they did!

wrong with it."

your property. Holy war brings

r army. .and say,"Oh, we have .sent

the money for humanitarian relief

I give you an example. When I was addressing the United Nations

and we appease our conscience." [Then we would] have (' injustice to the poor pco|

Human Rights Commission in Geneva, I was stunned that the head

i big the

Sudan.

of the Sudanese delegation stood up and said that the bishop is telling

actually goes to the people. And

lies, because even the Pope came

the donors who give this have the

We have to see that the relief

and he has seen with his own eyes

right to pound their feet and say,

that there is no persecution, that

"We want to be there to see that the

there

mutual

co-existence

between Muslims and Christians,

j/Ujk

that there is no ethnic cleansing and

right people."

genocide.

That is why I want to say

What did the Holy Father say? The Holy Father only stayed [in Sudan] for .seven hours.

I think the Papal visit was suc

MAY-JUNE, 1997

distribution actually takes place

^3 and [the material] is given to the that...there should be a certain kind

Bishop Macram Max Gassis encourages his people and exhorts them to remain faithful to their Catholic faith. I,

of accountability and a certain kind of follow-up. Otherwise, it is going to go to the wrong people.

■

Prophets, Martyrs, Saints and Heroes

Saint Peter Armengol — Model of Confidence — by Felipe Barandiardn

Peter Armengol was bom in Guardia

the bandits. Indeed, Arnold himself was the

greatest desire was to go to Africa and become a captive for the ransom of

diocese of Tarragon, Spain in 1238. He belonged to the house of the barons of

first to encounter the leader, engaging him

Christians.

in hand-to-hand combat. Grief came upon

Rocafort, descendants of the counts of

both noble and brigand, however, when

Urgel, whose ancestors were directly linked

each realized whom he had wounded.

On an expedition to that continent, he arrived in Bugia in the company of Friar William Florentino. There they ransomed 119 captives without any incident that

dels Prats, a small village in the arch

greater ardor in order to defeat the leader of

to the counts of Barcelona and the mon-

Bathed in tears. Peter prostrated himself at

archs of Aragon and Castile.

the feet of his father, surrendering to him his sword, with it, his heart.

would impede their return to their country. However, before departing, Friar Armengol learned of a prison with 18 children who,

Penance for his misdeeds

impelled by the threats of punishments of

Despite the great care taken by his par ents regarding his education, young Peter

gave himself over to a life of total dissipa

the barbarous Mohammedans, remained

tion in the company of other dissolute Filled with confusion and shame, the

exposed to the danger of denying the Faith.

repentant youth retired to a Mercedarian monastery in Barcelona. With an ardent desire to repair the injuries done to God, he

The religious happily offered himself for

criminals who, pursued by justice, led the

resolved the resolution to become a monk in

ulated sum,but if the payment did not arrive

life of bandits in the mountains. Soon the

that religious order founded by Saint Peter

within the set time he would suffer harsh

young Armengol became the leader of that

Nolasco to ransom Catholics captured by

gang.

On account of this bad behavior of his

the Mohammedans. He requested the habit with such insistence and gave such conclu

son, Arnold Armengol de Moncada moved

sive proofs of his vocation that he was

to the kingdom of Valencia, recently con quered from the Moors by King Jaime. This monarch had to embark upon a trip

received there by the Venerable William de

punishments. Divine Providence had dis posed that this man of God would thus give proof of his special confidence in the omnipotent mediation of the Blessed Virgin, to whom he was deeply devoted.

youths who led him on the wide road of vice and caprice. "Abyssus obyssuin invocat"—deep calleth on deep—say the Scriptures. Thus Peter joined a gang of

Bas, the French-born successor of the holy

founder in the government of the Order.

King of France on grave matters of interest

The passions that had previously revolt ed with violence were now repressed with

to both crowns. To travel safely, he com

violence by Peter Armengol in religious

missioned Arnold to go before him on the road in order to rout any of the assailants

life. He understood how to subdue them

who often robbed and even killed travelers

penances, mortification of the senses and continual prayer, that even before the end of

to Montpellier in order to deal with the

in the region of the Pyrenees.

the ransom of the innocent captives. His release was promised in exchange for a stip

with such promptitude, through rigorous

At the most dangerous part of the jour

his novitiate he had managed to subject

Flaming torch of confidence

In captivity. Friar Armengol wi prodigies of charity among the infidels, converting many by the efficacy of his preaching, which was confirmed by many miracles.

The time prescribed for the delivery of the money came and passed without pay

ney, the retinue of the noble Spaniard saw

them to the dominion of his will and reason.

ment being made, so the infidels threw him

itself surrounded by brigands. Arnold rushed at them with his troops, wounding

During the eight years of his profession,

into prison. There they denied him even the

he was entrusted with the important task of

food necessary for his sustenance, but Our

some and apprehending others. Warned that

dealing directly with the ran.som of cap

at a certain point the evildoers would defend themselves with particular energy, he

tives. He carried out this function in the

Lord, by means of His angels, miraculously provided for His most faithful servant.

kingdoms of Granada and Murcia, provinces of Spain that were still in the power of the Saracens. Nonetheless, his

Eventually tired of tormenting him, the Moors then conspired to take his life. They accused him of blaspheming and cursing

.spurred his horse forward with sword in hand and urged his men to attack with

CRUSADE

Prophets, Martyrs, Saints and Heroes Mohammed and of being a spy sent by the

Christian kings, thus raising the ire of the Saracen judge who oversaw his case. The judge condemned Friar Peter to death by hanging. Friar Armengol prayed to Our Lady and confided in her. In the hands

body would not hang upon the rope by which I was suspended." Upon saying these words he felt such a sweetness in his heart

that he became enraptured in an admirable

was held to be dead."

H H

Later assailed by a serious illness,

he was given prophetic knowledge of

flaming torch of confidence in Our

the time of his death. He delivered his

spirit into the hands of his Creator on

The unjust sentence was executed. I Due to a prohibition imposed by the Moors, who wanted Peter's body to serve as food for birds of prey, no one dared to take it down, so the body of the holy man remained suspended on the gallows. Six days went by; then

H H H H II II

Friar William arrived with the ransom

April 27, 1304. Our Lord deigned to give proofs of the glorification of His

servant with seven miracles, the cures of three men and four women, even

before his venerable body could be

buried. On March 28, 1686, Pope Innocent XI approved the public cult

to the saint, and, in the eighteenth

money. Learning what had happened, li he went with great sorrow and emo- 11 tion, in the company of some cap-

marvel: "Believe me, my d"ear brothers, that

I do not believe myself to have lived, except for those few but most happy days

-ecstasy.

of the infidels he could not defend

himself, for he was nothing; he was mere dust. But, in truth, he was a

Iwhen,agifromthegalows,I

ing those days of his hanging, he told the religious of the monastery on the various occasions when he spoke to them of this

century. Pope Benedict XIV inscribed

the name of Saint Peter Armengol in the Roman Martyrology.

' I

tives, to see the lamentable sight. ^ Upon approaching the site of the pun-

The tomb of the saint

ishment he noted that the body, after so long a time, did not emit a bad odor

Today the remains of Saint Peter Armengol can be found in Guardia

but rather exhaled a heavenly fragrance. To the shock of all. Friar

dels Prats. The small village still pre

Armengol then spoke to him, telling H

serves much of its ancient medieval

him that the Blessed Mother had con-

character: tortuous, narrow streets; stone pavements; buildings that recall

so that this might be a perpetual H

ancient palaces or noble residences; and a charming Romanesque-style church whose principal nave dales

served his life in the.se circumstances

reminder of her marvels. Astounded

by the stupendous miracle, some

pagans converted to the Catholic reli-

from the time of the Mercedarian saint.

The body of Saint Peter Armengol,

Conversations with the

Queen of Angels

Barcelona, learning of the portentous miracle, impatiently awaited the

as well as that of an illustrious con

'4 -

return of the unconquerable martyr of Jesus Christ. In the city, they received

temporary, Blessed Oliva, were incor

rupt until 1936. During the Spanish Civil War, communist militia invaded

and sacked the church, carrying off the two venerable bodies to the public

square where, burning ih

'hey

him with indescribable joy, accompa

reduced them to ashes. Sonu

li en

nying him from the port to his

gathered up what they could ot these

monastery, giving thanks to Our Lord

Saint Peter Armengol, a model of unshakable

for His marvels. The religious wanted

confidence, sustained by the Blessed Virgin Mary.

to hear from Friar Peter's mouth what

had happened, but despite their earnest

pleas, he would not speak. Finally, the supe rior ordered him to tell all that had occurred.

Not resisting the voice of obedience, the

man of God spoke these words: "The Virgin

ashes and took the precious remains to their homes, where their mothers

kept them with great care. Later, after

Friar Peter Armengol thereafter always had a twisted neck and a pale color, most authentic signs of what had taken place. He

These remains are today conserved together

retired to the monastery of Our Lady de los Prados, where his life was a continuous

church. Forgotten by the progressivism that

the communists were vanquished, the pre cious relics were returned to the church.

in a reliquary over the main altar of the

Mary, Mother of God and our own mother,

series of heroic virtues and familiar conver

has infiltrated and intoxicated so many

asked her most holy Son to conserve my

sations with the Queen of Angels, whom he

Catholic circles, these ashes await better

life. Having obtained this favor, this same sovereign Queen sustained me with her

loved so dearly that it would be impossible to imagine a more reverent devotion or a more filial tenderness. Always remember

the Catholic Church and Christian civiliza-

most holy hands, so that the weight of my

MAY-JUNE, 1997

days, in silent testimony of the sanctity of

Commentary

Tolerating the Secular State, the Enemy of Faith by Plinio Correa de Oliveira

Letus pass from the general principles

By a mystery of Providence and. above

Now, even the gravest evils may bear advantages that, while secondary, are never

set forth in our theological consider ations* to a great historical example, the question of separation of Church and

all, through the deplorable culpability of men, the Catholic reaction lacked the force

necessary to impede the laicization of the

aration of Church and State. In the regime

State.

West. Faced with the lamentable reality of

of the union of Church and State, the life of

Prior to the French Revolution, a united

the separation of the Church and the State,

regime of Church and State existed in all the

what can we do? If we lacked sufficient

Catholic

were united to the Crown. As a result of the

strength to prevent this separation, much less do we have the power to reverse it immediately. The only recourse, therefore,

the Church was hampered by numerous governmental interferences, each more irri tating and perilous. With their separation,

secular principles of the Revolution, separa

is to tolerate it.

nations

of Europe. In

the

Protestant states, the most powerful sects

theless valuable. This can be said of the sep

the interferences ceased legally. Given the inestimable worth of the Church's liberty,

one can understand, from this viewpoint,

Today, the State is secularist in

the benefits this new situation may provide. We should take every advantage of them. On the other hand, separation

most of the West. Where it is not,

imposed burdens. The gravest is

the privileges of the official church

the explicit, solemn, and provoca tive affirmation that religion is

tion of Church and State was grad

ually introduced throughout the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.

are virtually meaningless. This immense transformation,

the natural and typical fruit of a tendency towards laicization that has made itself progressively felt in the various sectors of Western cul

ture, in society, and in life itself, was inherently prejudicial to the

Holy Catholic Church. As faith is the root of all virtues

and virtue is the essential condition for the salvation of souls, laiciza

merely a matter of personal pre rogative, whereas the domains of

the State and of public life areâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; and should remainâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;lay affairs.

This principle would easily influence not only social institu tions but every sphere of the Nation's mental life, a typical case of a fruit that gives additional force to the effect of i' cause. With this would l

nvn ,i

tion is contrary to faith. It is easy to

debilitation of the sensus Ecdes-

see the risks souls face in the secu larist milieu in which we live. If the

iae [the mind of the Church], adulterating the roots and contam

end of the Church is the salvation

inating the fruits of the nation's

of souls, it is easy to understand

religious life. It is necessary to

why she opposes every form of

tolerate the inevitable, but we

laicism. We state these elementary matters in such detail and clarity because even the most elementary things are either entirely forgotten

to prevent its disastrous conse quences. Other-wise, rather than

today or run the imminent risk of being forgotten. Not only atheistic materialism but liberal laicism is

contrary to the Catholic faith.

must also use all available means

being upright and wise, tolerance would cause a disaster so great no words could suffice to describe it. How should we react? The

Magisterium has ably fulfilled its

CRUSADE

Commentary solemn duty by endowing the faithful with an admirable body of doctrine on the relations

wise affirmation by His Excellency, the Most Rev.

between Church and State. It falls to Catholic intel

Msgr. Angelo Dell'Aqua, sub

lectuals to comment upon and disseminate these

stitute for the Vatican secretary

principles with an amplitude, an insistence, and an attractiveness proportional to the immense gravity

of state, in a letter to his

of the evil. It falls to the directors of Catholic

works to constantly call the attention of their mem bers to the growing secularization of life wrought

Excellency the Cardinal Arch bishop of Sao Paulo, Carlos Carmelo

Vasconcellos

Motta: "Because of the reli

by the secularization of the State, the injury thus

gious agnosticism of the states,

rendered God, the harm done to souls, and so on. It

the Catholic sense of modem

falls to the Catholic press to spread to the furthest ends of the earth zeal for the principles jeopardized by separation of Church and State. And finally, it

society has been weakened or

falls to all the children of the Church to prepare, over time but indefatigably, a reaction that may

is and what its role in salvation

almost lost." Those who know what faith

is can appreciate the tragedy of

attain the suppression of this terrible evil.

this affirmation, made with a

Much has already happened. We are not among those for whom the history of the nineteenth and

frankness and resolution that

demands due homage. It is

twentieth centuries is but a mere narration of the

possible that our means, much

errors and failings of Catholics—clearly this way

less than those of the adver

of seeing things is unacceptably deformed. But we must recognize that if much has been done by us

sary, have not garnered results in the human plane, even if ably employed. But God does not neglect those who do everything possible. He chastises those who, not confiding principally in

who are Catholic, far more remains to be done.

No one in the Catholic ranks is dispensed from

professing the thesis that the Church ought to be united to the State. But, in the light of the legiti mate distinction between thesis and hypothesis, a regime of dangerous co-existence between one and the other was created.

In other words, everyone continued to profess

Providence, neglect to employ the few resources

they have at hand. A slingshot seems inadequate to stop a giant, but with one David felled Goliath.

If we had but prayed. If we had but acted. If we had but fought.

the thesis that separation is an evil, but, in the pre

sent hypothesis, a lesser evil. Everyone accepted this. Consequently, it behooved us to tolerate sep

aration—morbidly, impassively, lazily. The thesis being stated, the hypothesis was uttered with res

When all is said and done, the past is the past. Is it not best left buried? Why exhume it?

ignation, giving us to understand that it was des

Because the problem of tolerance looms before us. We are speaking of knowing, on

tined to last for cen

turies, without profound

harm to the Church. As a It faH® tO thC direCtOFS of CatholiC result, little or nothing wofks to Constantly call the attention was done to inculcate a n • i ± ai • of their members to the growing clear notion of the risks of this regime, of their secularization of life wrought by the gravity, and of the con

tinual action that was

we may and should be

tolerant.

have every reason to fear that contem

secularization of the State

becoming

reality. On the anti-Catholic side, the most efficient,

porary

man will

often lazily and

indispensable to prevent

them from

a thousand occa

sions, to what point

apathetically toler

ate what should be vigilantly, firmly, and astutely tolerated and even opposed. We offer these reflections, written in a spirit

powerful, and refined means of forming public opinion were employed to the effect of laicizing

of ardent sympathy, fraternal frankness, and loyal

the nations of the West to their inmost core. The

cooperation, in order that such a monstrous evil

result was stated in an impressive and profoundly

may be avoided.

■

* These theological considerations were set forth in "When Tolerance Is Intolerable" {Crusade,

March-April 1997), the first installment of this article. The entire ailicle was the last in a series origi

nally published by the author in 1957. For the other parts of the series, see "What is Tolerance?" and 'Tolerance, a Dangerous Virtue" in our November-December 1996 and January-February 1997 issues, respectively.

MAY-JUNE, 1997

1997: centenary of the death of one c

Saint Therese of the Chil Part

Her life in Carmel and

profession of solemn vows "My desires for sufferings were satisfied, without my attraction to them diminishing, and my soul soon shared these sufferings with my heart. Tribulation was my daily bread and although deprived of all consola

tion, I was nevertheless the happiest of creatures." 'hen in June of 1914 Saint

Pius X signed the decree introducing the cause of

Therese of the Child Jesus and the

vc. ARMUI

endured this patiently," comments

"She is the greatest saint of modern

time 1 began my spiritual life, when 1

times." In a world passing from the delights of the Belle Epoque to a new

that it was impossible to better under

was 13 or 14 years of age, believing stand the way of perfection, I had

Catholics the world over. Joy in suf fering, desire for suffering, and

advance along this way, the further we see ourselves from attaining it.

sweetness in aridity were virtues that

freed innumerable souls from pro

and with this I resigned myself to always regard myself as imperfect,

found valleys and bore them to moun-

and in this I found my joy."

asked myself how I would advance later. 1 .soon realized that the more we

One night, after having sung

A daily routine filled with suffer

ing, so horrifying to modern man, was the chalice offered this novice

Compline, Saint Therese wenl '

ing for her lamp in the place res^ for it. It was in vain, for though Saini

from the first moment of her religious

Therese had great need of it, another

life. She accepted it unconditionally

sister had taken it by mistake. "Rather

and drank it with love.

than feeling sad at being deprived of

ad lucem": The

young saint from Normandy felt her self content. With her state of soul

magnificent in the true imitation of the holocaust of Our Lord Jesus

Saint Therese, "...because, from the

century, the love of suffering pos sessed by Sister Therese of the Child Jesus was enthusiastically admired by

"Per crucem

Saint Therese as a novice embraces the cross which stood In the middle of the cloister of her convent

had had a certain taste for acquiring small objects that served to ease everyday life. "My spiritual director

Holy Face, he made a now-famous comment to a missionary bishop:

taintops. RUX

tion. Prior to this, as a postulant, she

Christ, our young novice did not fail to progress. Her Story of a Soul reveals that from the moment she

it, 1 felt happy, for 1 realized that

poverty consisted not only of the pri vation of things that are pleasing, but also of things that are indispensable. Thus,enveloped in physical darkness, 1 was illuminated interiorly." Such incidents were routine and

served to fortify her in virtue. Grace

received the habit she began to

helped her enormously during this

receive the lights of religious perfec

time. Once, a vase behind a window

CRUSADE

by John Vidigal

had been broken, and the mis

that I may be despised and for

tress of novices thought that

gotten as a small grain of Thy

Saint Therese had broken it.

sand, O Jesus. May Thy will be done within me perfectly, in

Despite having had nothing to do with it, she did not excuse

order that I might arrive to that

herself and, kissing the floor,

place where Thou hast gone

accepted the reprimand, while promising to be more careful.

before me to prepare...

Another

time,

"Jesus, grant that I may save many souls, that today not a sin

beautiful

gle soul be lost, and that all the

object in her possession was exchanged for another similar to it, but which was ugly and crude. Yet another time, immediately after having taken the habit, she was cho-

souls in purgatory be released.... Jesus, forgive me if I say things that I should not. I want nothing save to cause Thee joy and console

.sen to serve in the refectory, which in her own words, "provided yet another

Thee."

Coinciding with great periods of tribu lation for Saint Therese was the long and

occasion to put my self-love in its place, that is, beneath my feet."

grievous illness of her father. Monsieur Martin. Now, carefully preparing herself for the

However, the long and arduous formation that Providence had reserved for the young novice was not forsaken by the Most Holy Virgin, who at last permitted that

grand rile of profession, she hoped that her father

September 8, the Feast of the Nativity of the Mother of God, be

set for her profession of vows. In a small, handwritten note that Saint Therese carried with her

might be able to attend the ceremony and give her his blessing, this lime through the grates that separated the chapel of Carmel and the cloister. Her devoted sister Celine, who was caring for

their father, prepared the elderly gentleman that this might be pos

at the moment of her profession, one may also observe this pro

sible, for she understood how much Saint Therese desired this

tection of the Mother of All Sorrows:

encounter and how much she embraced the words of the Imitation

of Christ: "Love never excuses it.self with the argumentÂŤ '-noossibility, for it believes that for i. ry-

"September 8, 1890.

"O Jesus, my Divine Spouse! That I may never lose the second habit of my baptism! UaUlloiJl. Take iUC me UCIUIC before Ii again aealll commit LUiIUIlll the least voluntary fault. May I seek and find nothing save Thee; may creatures be nothing to me and I nothing to them, but

Thou, O Jesus, be everything!... May the things of this earth no longer perturb my

"I was nevertheless able to gaze thing is possible and permitted" j

towards the sky and say with all confidence: Our Father, Who art in Heaven."

But, "man proposes and God disposes," and at times the Divine Will seems

somewhat tight-fisted as regards consola tions for elect souls. It is a trial through

which even the Mother of God passed. Monsieur Martin's doctors kept him from

soul, may nothing disturb my peace. O

going to the Carmel.

Jesus, I ask nothing of Thee save peace and love, the infinite love

Saint Therese described her state of soul on that September 8,

that has no limits save Thee.... Jesus, that I may die a martyr, the martyrdom of the heart and of the body or, better yet, both.... Help

instrument, and on the day of my nuptials I was truly an orphan.

1890: "The Good God made use of human prudence as His docile

me fulfill my vows in all their perfection and make me understand

No longer having a father on this earth, I was nevertheless able to

what a spouse of Thine ought to understand. Grant that I may

gaze towards the sky and say with all confidence: Our Father, Who

never weigh upon the community and that none be attached to me.

art in Heaven...."

MAY-JUNE, 1997

â&#x2013;

Fatima

This year, the eightieth anniversary of the apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary to three young children in Fatima, Portugal, offers a propitious occasion to introduce our readers to three perceptive articles written more than a half century ago by a faithful servant of Our Lady, Prof. Plinio Correa de Oliveira. From these articles, first pub lished in Le^onarioy then the official organ of the Archdiocese of Sao Paulo, Brazil, we draw the following passages (with insubstantial adaptations for the facility ofpresent-day readers) that are so applicable to our day. They provide an impressive vision of the ensemble of the Fatima message and a penetrat ing analysis of its significance, while radiating the Catholic splendor of the mind, heart, and soul of their author, the founder of the Brazilian TFP and

inspirer of the other 25 TFPs around the world.

The Message of Fa Our Hope or On

by Plinio Correa de Oliveira

Nearly 30 years ago, the first world

significance than the public clamor of the

upon which human intelligence may base

wide conflagration was moving

cannons. On the battlefields, a war that in

itself are patent, and they attest that Our

toward its decline. With the initial

essence had already been decided was being

impetus of the Teutonic invasion contained,

fought to its bitter end, while in the cabinet

Lady came down from Heaven to reveal to three little .shepherds in an obscure and for

the French set about reconquering lost terri

chambers of the victorious States, a new

gotten corner of Portugal the necessaiy ^n-

tory. For high-level politicians and military

order was in the making. In the next era, the future would no longer be found in the bar

the real reformation of the world.

observers, the final result of the struggle

ditions and indispensable foundation

was no longer in doubt. The entire strategy

rels of guns, but in the closed-door consul

of the Germans was ba.sed on the hope of

tations of the intelligentsia and technocrats.

the blitzkrieg's triumph. The first toss of the dice met with immense possibilities. But it

ously draw the preliminary lines of their

false and a new world war would ensue.

new world order, one of the most momen

That war came. That war is here. Now, as

was the only one. The Germans had lost. As for the Allies, it was just a question of time.

While they were but beginning to tenu

Were mankind to hear and heed this

message, we would find true peace. Were we to turn a deaf ear, our "peace" would be

tous events of contemporary history took

thirty years ago, the powerful ponder yet another global reorganization. There is no

remained white hot and German cannons

place. Many are the skeptics who disbelieve this fact. Many more are those who are not

thundered near Paris, financiers, sociolo

skeptical but timid, not daring to proclaim

Lady's apparition at Fatima.

gists, and politicians had already begun to murmur behind the scenes about how they would organize the postwar world. Their private whispering held far greater

the truths they profess to believe. Some fail

Let us make a test: Let us take some

to speak for lack of faith. Others exclude this event from the pages of history because

children one at a time and, under the pretext of a literary composition, have them imag ine an apparition of Our Lady, describing

Although on the battlefields the struggle

they are cowards. But the gravest motives

more opportune time to reconsider Our

CRUSADE

her countenance, her clothing, her facial

children described the lady who appeared to

with a rare majesty and simplicity. In short,

expressions, and her gestures, and taking

them with details sufficient to establish that

a lady so different from what they knew of

note of her words. What would come of

she was a figure of sublime beauty, clothed

images, that they did not suspect that she

this? So much childishness, so many

was a saint, much less Our Lady. Only

curious conceptions and, quite frankly, H ridiculous features! H The level of instruction of the chil- H

when Our Lady revealed her • 'i^ntity

^did they know with whom thcN

privilege of speaking.

dren of Fatima was incomparably infe- H

That Lady said very elevated things

rior to that of the children of the city. ^

to them: She spoke to them of the war. of the Pope—whom Jacinta. the

They knew neither theater nor cinema; I

they had seen no books illustrated with

j youngest, did not even know existed—

queens, ladies of bygone courts, and so M

of politics and .sociology. And those

forth. Thus, they had no concept of ele- H

J children repeated her message with

gance, beauty, and distinction save that which they saw reflected—and in what muted shades!— in the simple ladies of their village. They had not the least notion of the beauty proper to partlcular colors and their respective combi-

B extraordinary fidelity! As Scripture H says, God took for Himself, "from the H mouth of children, perfect praise."

nations. Nevertheless, these untutored

MAY-JUNE, 1997

H H H H B M

It is time for us to consider the mes-

H sage of Fatima. Before all else, we note H that it is absolutely orthodox. It is not H easy to invent an orthodox message....

m Fatima

Now, each and every word the Lady directed to the young shepherds is of absolute orthodoxy. Speaking

Lafayette, Louisiana

on quite complex subjects, she errs not the slightest in doctrine. Assuredly, her messages could not have been invented by three little shepherds.

But there is more. The message of the lady occurred at the precise, critical moment in which the

postwar world was being prepared. Disdaining the

Young Custodians

ostentatious spectacles of the false patriotism and

pseudoscientific posturing of the technocrats, with great simplicity she put everything in its sole and fundamental terms. The war was a chastisement of

the world on account of its impiety, its impure cus toms, and its habit of transgressing Sundays and Holy Days. Were all of this settled, all these matters would be resolved. Were this not settled, no solution

would resolve anything.... And if the world did not heed the lady's voice, if it did not respect the princi ples she proclaimed, a new conflagration would

come, preceded by an extraordinary celestial phe nomenon. And this conflagration would be much

At San Jose Obrero homeless

more terrible than the first.

The technocrats met—those who, with the

bankers, rule today's world—"<?/ convenenm! in imum aclversus Dominum" [and assembled together

against the Lord—cf. Acts 4:26]. They built a peace

Bringing flowers for the Virgin, Glendale, California

shelter, Chicago

On the streets

without Christ, a peace against Christ. The world fell even deeper into sin, ignoring Our Lady's message. At Fatima, the miracles multiplied by the dozens, the

hundreds, the thousands. There they were, accessible

to all, open for examination by doctors of whatever race or religion. The conversions were innumerable.

Yet, notwithstanding all of this, no one heeded Fatima. Some doubted without studying it. Others denied it without examining it. Others believed but lacked the courage to say so. They did not heed the voice of Our Lady. More than twenty years passed by. One fine day,

strange signs were seen in the sky.... An aurora bore-

alis, reported by the wire services the world over. From her convent, Lucy wrote to her Bishop that this

was the sign and that the war would soon come. The war came. It is here for all to see, and today those in power treat anew of the "reorganization of the world," to the final sounding of the trumpets of this already potentially won struggle.

Posing for the camera after a talk and

Distributing Fatima fliers

audiovisual presentation on the Message

in New York City.

of Fatima, Los Angeles

"You are on fire!" is how one lady described our representatives who are taking a statue of Our Lady of Fatima on pilgrimage from home to "Si vocem ejus hodie audierilis, nolite obdurare corda vestra"—If today thou hadst heard His voice, thy hearts would not be hardened, say the Scriptures. In inscribing the feast of Our Lady of Fatima on the

calendar of liturgical celebrations. Holy Church affirms the timeliness of the message Our Lady gave the world through the little shepherds. The voice of Fatima .speaks to us today: Let us not harden our hearts, for it's only by heeding her message that we may escape the judgment of history ■

home in Louisiana.

Our young Custodians are indeed on fire with devotion for Our Lady of Fatima, and their devotion is leading them to accomplish great feats for her sake. Over the last few months, hundreds of homes have been honored with

the pilgrim statue's presence. Currently, the most intensive work is being done in Louisiana, New York, California, Illinois, Ohio, and Colorado.

Although the home-visitation programs follow the basic pattern of Rosary, lecture, audio-visual, and other devotions, each visit is unique because fam ilies and groups open their hearts to the Virgin in their own way.

CRUSADE

The American TFP in Action

Making Great h the home

/N E ET) S

Below:JFP volunteer Joseph

reymg ,he Rosary a. a ,am,â&#x20AC;&#x17E; home

Toenjes speaks about the Fatima Message at St. Philomena's Church,

Labedieville, Louisiana

venerating the pilgrim

Statue of Our Lady of Fatima at St. Dominic

Church, Los Angeles

Our goal in going from home to home is to help families get more in touch with the whole Fatima message and live it in their daily lives. In other words, to set hearts on fire with love

for the Mother of Godâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;a love that could well regenerate our country, which is slipping into terrible forms of moral corrup tion.

While our young Custodians take Our Lady into people's homes, dedicated full-time Fatima Proclaimers bravely take

Our Lady, then hand them an Instant-Impact Fatima Flier. But be prepared, this sparks all kinds of reactions. Once a police officer walked by with a big smile. Offered a flier, he declined, but tipped his hat to show the inside. We all smiled, for he had taken the picture of Our Lady of Fatima from a copy of our flier and fitted it inside his police hat so that she would protect him.

her message to the streets of New York and other major cities.

A lady saw the flier distribution campaign and came over to offer her assistance. With a smile, she pulled out her America

Our method of action in approaching the passerby is simple and direct; Look the person in the eye, say a quick word about

Needs Fatima membership card to show us that she was already a helper of Our Lady. She took a bunch of fliers and

MAY-JUNE, 1997

The American TFP in Action

was visibly overflowing with joy at being able to help spread Fatima literature to passersby. On the other hand, many people treat Our Lady's workers with disdain. A nasty Protestant shouted:"Why are you hand ing out these fliers? Our country isn't Catholic! Just get out of here!" He was really furious and wouldn't even listen to our explanation.

Of course, if even the God-Man and His Holy Mother were mocked and persecuted, should we expect any different

treatment? The most important thing is that we know we are doing what Our Lady asked for at Fatima, so we will contin ue reaching out to as many people as we possibly can—no matter whether we receive applause or scorn. We know that She will not fail in Her promise: "Finally, My Immaculate Heart will triumph!"

AMDG 5/31/97

Dear Friends,

Happy Feast Day! Last May 13th you gifted me with a truly Praying the Rosary, Youngsville, Illinois

remarkable Feast Day when you honored me with a personal visit with Our Dear Lady of Fatima! How blessed can one get? Woe to whom much is given, much is expected in return!

TfT! 11J

How can I say "THANK YOU" enough times and in enough ways for going out of your way to accommodate me and my neigh bors and friends. May our good Lord continue to shine His Face on

you both, now, always, and in all ways. J. M., Florida

r •

'I.

Distributing Fatima fliers In

New York City »

Hearing a talk on the importance of the Fatima appari tions, Opeloussas, Louisiana

K Dear John,

Thank you for your kindness in sending the information on TFP that I've enjoyed so much. What a wonderful thing it is to see the church (so dear) so very alive when one sees organizations such as TFP, movements such as "America

Needs Fatima" and young devoted Catholics such as yourselves. F. M.

our children are lost, in the sense that they do not know their ( or how to pray the Holy Rosary. They do not really understand th,u .Icsus is present in the Holy Eucharist. Of course, all of us who have a great devotion to Our Blessed Mother have taught our children the same. She always brings us closer to Her Son, Jesus! I definitely feel that we should reach out to our children and bring them closer to Jesus through Mary, Our Holy Mother!

All of you are in my prayers daily and May God bless all of you. C. R., California

Dear Mr. Ritchie:

I want to congratulate you and all your people at America Needs Fatima for all your excellent works for Our Blessed Mother. May She continue to bless all of you with abundant graces.

1 really feel that the Custodians that take Our Lady's Pilgrim Virgin Statues to homes across America should spend more time reaching out to our children. They really need the special graces and guidance from Our Blessed Mother. Unfortunately, most of our children today do not have any devotion to Our Blessed Mother. I remember when I was a

child, we had great devotion to our Blessed Mother. However, today most of our churches do not have devotions to Our Blessed Mother and

Dear Robert:

For all reports your work has been very successful. And so has our Pilgrim Virgin Apostolate; We have completed our first full year of tak

ing the Pilgrim Virgin Statue to homes in our area. Every week we have the consecration to our Lady and the enthronement of the Sacred Heart in the home.

We have used up the beautiful Fatima (8x10) pictures that you sent us last year. Enclosed please find a check for $xxx from which please send us another fifty pictures. Fr. G. W., California

Ambiences, Customs and Civilizations

When Men and Commerce

by Plinio Correa de Oliveira

Originally published in August 1958 dignified, prosperous, and intelligent-look ing burghers that Rembrandt's brush pre sents us in his admirable painting "The

For centuries, the placid canal waters of Ghent have mirrored the facades of these typical medieval and Renaissance build ings, whose imposing mass, grave and solid, contrasts harmo niously with their rich, varied, and almost fanciful ornamentation,

thus creating a singular impression of architectonic balance. What were these buildings, so reserved and one would almost

say pensive, originally used for? Patrician residences? Centers of study? No. They were occupied by corporations. The main offices

Board of the Clothmakers' Guild."

It was men such as these who, despite uncertain and slow means of communication, created a commercial network that extended in

every direction and laid the foundations of modem commerce. Yet they worked in tranquility and we would almost say recollection.

They still reflect that atmosphere peculiar to the old buildings exam ined earlier. What a rich lesson for our poor world, ever more dev astated by neuroses! â&#x2013;

of the Corporation of Free Boatmen were on the far right; next was the house of the Grain Measurers, adjoining the small customs house, where the medieval merchants declared their goods. Then

came the Granary, and, lastly, the Corporation of Stoneworkers. These were, then, houses of work and business, and history tells

us that intensive and productive activities took place within them. But economic activity had not yet been engulfed by today's materialistic influences. It was therefore carried out in a calm,

thoughtful, and refined atmosphere, not in the feverish, throbbing, thoughtless, and proletarianizing environment that often marks

business today. Who would imagine so much nobility in buildings of the middle class, so much refinement for trade corporations? This is more a question of mentality than of art. From a spiritu al view, use of the mind is the apex of human action. Business is thus most productive, in quality and even quantity, when done calm ly, without idleness, and with thoughtful recollection. From a materialistic viewpoint, however, quantity is better than

liimlSffi

quality, physical activity better than that of the soul, hustle and bus tle better than reflection, and nervous excitation better than authen

tic thought. This explains the hectic atmosphere of certain stock exchanges and modem thoroughfares.

The super-excitation of ambiences results from the super-excita

"l -111!

tion of people. We can all identify the gum-chewing, cigar-chomp-

ing, fmgemail-biling, foot-pounding businessman. He is hyperten sive, cardiac, and neurotic.

How that type of businessman differs from the serene, stable.

MAY-JUNE, 1997

History ermen, Andrew and young John, probably

not even twenty, when Our Lord passed by. The dedicated hermit again passionately exclaimed the "£cce Agnus Dei."- Andrew and John were so irresistibly attracted to the commanding appearance of Jesus that they

Basic Histmy Course

immediately followed Him. Andrew quick ly brought his brother Simon who was soon to be named Peter by Our Lord. Philip and

WesterMEmlization

Nathaniel (identified with Bartholomew)

joined the next day.

The great conscience and righteousness by Jeremias Wells

of Saint John the Baptist that had so vigor ously denounced the corruption of his

CHAPTER

EIGHT

day—a zeal that would eventually lead to

his martyrdom—not only gave witness to the truth that Jesus was the Son of God, but

Jesus Christ: God, Savior, and King The Center of History

down the cold, hard-hearted, and materialis

Part II

tic generation with love, compassion, and the power of God.

also that the innocent Victim came to atone

for and purify mankind. The Baptist, with his customary humility, then withdrew from the scene, leaving it to Jesus Christ to break

Jesus and His new converts left the

His

Father's

Business

Baptist in the deserts of Judea for the fish ing villages on the north end of the sea of

As Saint John the Baptist gazed off into the distance, he noticed the tall, majestic figure of Jesus Christ strid ing towards him. Full of excitement and

divine inspiration, the Baptist exclaimed, "Behold the Lamb of God, behold Him who

taketh away the sin of the world"(John

1:29), recalling, no doubt, the prophecy of Isaias. The latter had described the suffering Messias in the most eloquent terms; "He is despised and rejected of men, a man of sor

Galilee. En route they stopped in Cana self-effacing precursor had reluctantly bap

where they were invited to a wedding feast

tized Our Lord. The Baptism was not to erase previously accumulated sins, for the

already attended by the divine Mother. At

Baptist did not have that power and Christ was certainly sinles.s in any event, but to inaugurate Christ's mission as Savior. The descent of the Holy Ghost upon Christ in

her urging. Our Lord somewhat reluctantly performed His first miracle by changing

water into wine. Our Lady's powerful inter cession clearly showed the intimate union between Mother and Son that will run

the form of a dove and the memorable

through the course of time for the benefit of

words from the heavenly Father, "This is My beloved Son in Whom I am well

tasks in Galilee, the Savior went with some

her fallen children. After completing His

pleased" {Matt. 3:17), all signified that the

disciples to Jerusalem for the Passover,

rows...the Lord hath laid on him the iniqui

time had arrived to begin the supreme,

most likely in the year A.D. 28.'

ty of us all. He is brought as a lamb to the

divine vocation.

slaughter" (cf. Isa. 53). Some forty days before, the inten.se.

Jesus then retired into the desert for

forty days of prayer and sacrifice in prepa ration

Toward

retreat,

for

His

the end

the

mission.

of this

Prince

iio

Passover rituals, which consisted of the pur

of Truth in a great combat.

chase of the Pascal lamb or some other ani

After thrice conquering His implacable enemy, Christ

rificial animals could only be made in

mal of value. Since the purchase of the sac

drove the evil one from His

sacred coin, a lucrative business arose to

presence and returned to the

exchange the pagan money of the pilgrims into the acceptable shekel, at a profit of

The holy precursor had eminently succeeded in tes

tifying to his large following

Every male Jew was obliged to tt ivcl to Jerusalem once a year to obsc

Darkness engaged the Spirit

Jordan.

Our Lord clears the Temple of the money changers

Our Lord's first Passover in Jerusalem

course.

During the feast days, the babble of the money changers and the bleating and bel

that Jesus was the longawaited Messias, the Son of

lowing of the animals and their loud

God. The following day, the

courtyard of the Temple of God, making the house of worship a noisy, foul-smelling

Baptist stood with two fish

mouthed dealers overflowed into the outer

CRUSADE

History pandemonium. When Christ saw this scene of greed and disrespect in His Father's

Baptist by Herod Antipas,

He set up His center of

operations at Caphamaum,

• -j .

house. He fashioned a whip with cords, strode into the Temple, and with great vigor

a fishing village on the Sea '

struck left and right. Tables were over

turned; money went flying on to the floors;

atmosphere of the country- j

hucksters and dealers raced out in panic.

side and the straightforward, simpler attitude of

The commanding power of Christ must

Galilee.

The

•

freer

have been awesome for Him to have cleared

the Galileans combined to

out the vast courtyard with just a scourge. The masters of the Temple, furious at Our Lord's intervention, wanted to know by

encourage a triumphant

iL. Aftnwi

expansion of the number of His listeners from a few

what authority He had clean.sed the Temple. Knowing their malice. Our Lord replied

sand. The truth of His doc-

mysteriously, "Destroy this Temple, and I

trines was confirmed not

will rebuild it in three days," referring to

only by the divine power of His teaching but also by

) (

the dramatic effect of His

His execution and resurrection, which con

fused all who heard Him, including His dis ciples. However, many months later many understood.

hundred to several thou

numerous miracles. Jesus

Himself

subsequently

J o'vxV^ Beotiiuiks

Paloe»tin^\p

Palautinal^

One of the more noteworthy personal associations of Our Lord occurred shortly after when the highly respected Nicodemus visited Him one evening. Although a

declared, "The blind see; the lame walk; the lepers 1 1 ... . f are cleansed; the deaf

Phari.see and member of the Sanhedrin who

However, our Savior's success aroused the jealously of the Pharisees, who began to

the books of the prophets and Psalms.- The domination far surpassing that of David and

feared their vindictiveness, he had a sincere desire to learn about the Kingdom of God

^ Galilee, norther Galilee, northei nmost province of Palestine, where Our Lord spent spent most most off of His public life.

hear; the dead rise again." Messias to them would establish a national

and the means for salvation. This action of

pursue Him with calumny and open attack. And so the two themes slowly converge:

the influential Jew goes a long way to accuse those who obstinately remained in

Christ steadfastly goes about teaching and healing because of His boundless love for

the darkness.

those whom He has created, and the Scribes

of Jewish

and Pharisees with implacable rage seek

Pharisees wielded enormous influence and

In the lengthy conversation, which per

Solomon in splendor and might and, the Capuchin scholar goes on to report, even Jehovah must place Himself at the service

national

aspirations. The

haps took hours, Christ illustrated many of

ways to destroy Him because of their per

ruthlessly protected their superior position.

His fundamental teachings. Man, in order to regenerate himself, must pull himself away

verse hatred.

from his carnal nature and raise his thinking

Scribes and Pharisees

On the other hand, another group known as the Sadducees compromised with Hellenism, which helped them maintain

to the spiritual order so that his spiritual intelligence can better understand the things of God. Our Lord affirmed His divinity

The designation "scribes and Pharisees" is often used as an umbrella phrase to

when He explained that He was in heaven

describe the active leadership in the con

before His life on earth, that He came down from heaven, and to heaven He would

spiracy of evil against Christ. But each term

their wealth and control of the high priest hood. Each side harbored great animosity towards the other, but when it came to Our

Lord they quickly and conveniently joined hands in opposition to His supernatural mis sion. The leaders of both parties formed a

also has a specific meaning. After the Machabees scored their great victory over the Greek occupation and its

supreme council called the Sanhedrin that

mental motivating factor in God's dealing

baneful influence, the pagan culture once

Jewish affairs.

with poor, sinful man. God so loved man that He sent His only Son to die for him. Yet

more began to affect Jewish religious life. A small group of Jewish leaders whom we call

conflict became more intense. Christ's com

return.

Christ then went on to state the funda

had extensive powers in administering

As the Galilean mission progress^

to avoid the light of God's truth, those so

Pharisees resisted the new encroachment.

passion for the poor, the weak, the unhappy,

opposed to His mercy prefer to hide in the

They established not only the written Law

the sinful, and the despised translated itself

darkness with their evil ways. Although

orTorah as the principle of religion, but also

into a steady stream of miracles which

somewhat timid by nature, Nicodemus later

an oral Law interpreted by their learned

served only to infuriate His hard-bitten ene mies. When He cured the paralytic in

defended Our Lord before the Sanhedrin

doctors of the Law or scribes. By the time

and helped to bury Him.

of Jesus Christ these legal observances had

Preaching in Galilee

In order to avoid the emerging interfer ence from His enemies in Jerusalem, Jesus Christ went for a short time into Judea, and then, after the arrest of Saint John the

MAY-JUNE, 1997

degenerated into an overly meticulous, often morbid set of rules that placed an unsupportable burden on the people. The noted apologist Hilarin Felder,

Caphamaum, He also cured his soul by for giving his sins, thus giving proof of His divinity. But this truth was lost on the false

and crafty Pharisees who constantly reject ed the influence of God.

O.F.M.Cap., has stated that this legal

They tried more than once to maneuver

machinery crowded out the real meaning of

Our Lord into violating their scrupulous and

the Messianic revelation prepared by God in

frequently absurd rules for observing the

History Sabbath rest. In these clashes we always see Christ in a grand contest between good and

tion of the soul. Instead of anger, lust,

evil, truth and falseness.

gentleness, purity, austerity, and righteous

When Our Lord was teaching in a syna gogue on the Sabbath one day, He saw a

and deed should conform to the will of God.

hatred, and vengeance. Our Lord taught ness; in other words every thought, word,

man in the congregation with a withered

Turning to the Apostles, He announced

hand. He glanced over at the Pharisees and read the thoughts of the unholy hypocrites who were eagerly waiting to charge Jesus

that the children of the world "would not

cease to wage war on the ministers of God,

with unlawfully administering to the sick. Christ then asked His cunning adversaries

that He had just taught," and warned them that they "would betray their vocation, if

that is, on all who would practice the virtues

whether it was lawful on the Sabbath to do

out of fear, they were to keep silence and

good or harm. Checkmated by Our Lord's

thus leave the souls of men buried in dark

question, which obviously gave mercy

ness and corruption."-' Particularly stressing

precedence over human precepts, the Pharisees remained silent. Showing His anger to them, Jesus turned to the afflicted man and with noble courage cured him. As

the blessedness of persecution for His sake.

Father Breen has commented, 'There are

tion and combat.

Our Lord once again emphasized the eternal

conflict between the spirit of the world and the spirit of God which required renuncia

some natures so consumed with evil that the

greater and nobler a man is, the more bitter

Jesus incurring the wrath of the Pharisees

Last Period in Galilee

becomes their opposition."' Saint Matthew

and easier to remember,especially when He explained the spiritual nature of The Kingdom of God. The Apostles consulted with Jesus, Who provided the light to

tells us that the Pharisees "took counsel

John the Baptist had been languishing in

against Him; How they might destroy Him" (12:14).

the dungeons of Herod Antipas for ten months after his imprisonment. The weak, vacillating tctrarch' enjoyed conversing

The Sermon on the Mount

with the venerated saint and did not desire

gant poems. Most of the followers sadly

his death, unlike his vicious, adulterous

remained indifferent and therefore in dark

Some six or seven months into His pub

lic ministry, Jesus chose the twelve Apostles who became the foundation blocks for the

magnificent edifice that was the work of His

short life. Heading the list were those stur

wife Herodius. The Baptist, much like Elias to whom he has been compared, severely and publicly criticized their immoral, inces

tuous union, for which she sought revenge. Totally engulfed in her passion for murder,

dy fishermen from Beihsaida; Peter and

Herodius tricked her depraved husband into

Andrew and the sons of Zebedee, John and

serving up the Baptist's head on a blood stained platter during a banquet. Our Lord's

James. The first three had been following Our Lord since the days of His Baptism

mission was beginning to arouse a violent

except for a brief return to their family's

reaction.

fishing business. Immediately after the choice of the

As Our Lord moved into the second half

understand the truth illustrated in the ele

ness.

In the following days, they cheered

when Christ filled their stomachs by multi plying bread and fish, but left Him when He

gave hard lessons that they would not be saved without their cooperation. Indifference turned to hostility. The majori ty of the disciples, disappointed in their earthly desires, then abandoned their Master. The Apostles remained at His side,

even though one of them had already desert

Twelve, Jesus delivered that great treatise

of His Galilean ministry. He fundamentally changed His method of teaching from a

on spiritual perfection, the Sermon on the Mount. In the Beatitudes Christ provided

straightforward, simple style to the more obscure, veiled parables. For those willing

disbelief of the

the outline for the ideal Christian life, not

to struggle through the difficulties, these

brought on to some extent by the activity,

just exterior correction, but interior perfec-

had the advantage of being more graphic

of the Scribes and Pharisees. When '

ed in his heart.

Our Lord's final days in Galilee were spent in great sadness as the ingratitude and Galileans increased, ^

visited His fellow townsmen in Na/u

they dragged Him from the local syna

Notes I. There is no conclusive internal evi

dence in the Gospels to determine the key dates in Our Lord's life or the duration of

His ministry. Since Giuseppe Riccioti {Life of Christ) and Jules Lebreton {Life and

Teaching of Jesus Christ) are historically inclined and place Our Lord's life in the

gogue and attempted to throw Him head the Gospels(New York, 1942). 2. Christ and the Critics (London, 1924), pp. 158-59.

3. A Harmonized Exposition ofthe Four Gospels (Milwaukee, 1929), vol. II, p. 22. 4. Very Rev. Augustine Berthe, C.SS.R., Jesus Christ (St. Louis, 1914) p. 141. 5. Herod the Great's kingdom was

larger historical context, we have adopted their dating system. Cf. Stephen J. divided after his death. Antipas received Hartdegen, A Chronological Harmony of only the tetrarchy of Galilee and Perea.

long off a cliff. Only a timely miracle saved Him. When the opulent Capharnaum, sanc tified as Christ's residence, and Bethsaida,

the birthplace of several apostles, rejected the light and truth of His teaching. He cursed them with a severe malediction.

Forty years later the Roman legions inflict ed a terrible punishment on the whole dis

trict, which remains utterly barren and des olate today. Henceforth, the battle would

largely be fought in Judea, especially Jerusalem.

â&#x2013;

CRUSADE

Pelusa (continuedfrom previous issue)

by Fr. Luis Coloma, S.J.

ed and Pelusa had recov

guide!' exclaimed Pelusa, who in her confi dence and joy found nothing dangerous and

ered from the shock of

thought everything easy.

fter the witch had explod

such

a horrible sight,

Around noon, they decided to rest a lit

the

fences

and

verandas

are

caramel, the furniture is almond

nougat, and the beds are marzipan with meringue mattresses. Pelusa, 1

know you will enjoy yourself enor

Angelina said in her little

tle under a tree. And since joy does not sat

cricket-like voice:

isfy or abolish the appetite, Pelusa felt hun

mously there because you are so

gry-

fond of sweets."

"Pelusa, put on your blue bonnet, take the magic pot and let us be off."

"Where will we go?" asked Pelusa.

"The time has come to go and look for

"I wish I could eat two fried eggs right now," thought Little Pelusa to herself hun grily.

And with this thought, she filled the lit

"No, little bird, no," answered

Pelusa very firmly. "I am on my

way to find my father and mother, and I must continue right now."

tle pot with water from a nearby spring,

While the little bird spoke,

Beside herself with joy, Pelusa put on

threw in three pebbles, made a fire with

Angelina was quietly climbing

the blue bonnet and hung the pot on her arm

some dry twigs and, before covering the

the tree, inch by inch. When she

with a ribbon that she passed through the handle. When ready to leave, she reverently said the words the good lady had taught her;

pot, said:

reached the branch where the bird

your father and mother."

"Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. Be my help and my guide." The two then closed the door of the

"Little pot; cook and bake Give me something good to eat For that sweet child's sake."

with butter. For dessert, there were two

Angelina in the lead. They walked very fast

cookies dipped in chocolate, which were

because every moment was precious for lit

Pelusa's very favorite. The little girl ate it

tle Pelusa, who could hardly wait to find her

all and had just finished when she heard

parents. At every house that they passed she

someone calling her above: She looked up. On a branch of the tree

"Not yet! Further on, further on!"

she saw a small black bird, a little smaller

"But where is this wonderful castle that

than a sparrow, with a green beak and red feet who asked: "Pelusa, what are you doing here? Where are you going?" "I am on my way to find my father and my mother," answered the girl.

towns."

"And why is it called the Castle of No Return?"

"Because Mr. Thunderbolt, a bad and

ugly giant who lives there, will eat anyone who dares to enter the castle."

"Well, he won't eat me because I will

say what the good lady taught me: 'Jesus, Mary and Joseph, be my help and my

MAY-JUNE, 1997

"Pelusa! Pelusa!"

"Is this the Castle of No Return?"

seems to be hiding from us?" "It is a bit further, beyond the next two

with a quick motion, she grabbed him by the head and threw him to

The pot boiled, Pelusa raised the lid, and there, to her delight, were two fried eggs

house and started on the road, with

asked the doll:

was perched, she snuck up behind him without making a sound. Then,

"Oh, there will be plenty of time to find them later," replied the black

bird."Come with me and I will take

you to my friend's house, which is

all made of candy and sweets. The walls are built of cookies, the doors of milk chocolate.

the ground below. As he flew away he left

chicken m aspic; and, last of all, the two

very big, black building with only a small

behind a terrible smell of sulfur and burnt

cookies dipped in chocolate that Pelusa

bull's horn.

liked so much and that came with every

door and no windows. The sight of such a dark, mysterious place chilled the heart. With no little fear, Pelusa and Angelina approached. The doll stepped forward to knock on the door, but Pelusa stopped her.

"That was one of those bad birds that the

devil sends to this world to tempt the good

children away from doing their duty," Angelina told Pelusa.

meal.

She was ready to eat them when she saw a flock of goldfinches which had landed around her, begging for some small alms for

And so they continued on their way.

the love of God. Pelusa's fist impulse was to

They walked for three days, through valleys

give them the cookie that she was about to

and over mountains, eating what the little pot provided and sleeping under trees. On the third day they sat down to eat in a small green valley. That day the little pot was very

put in her mouth, but then she remembered

generous: First, there was sausage with eggs; then, ham with tomatoes; after this.

Kneeling down on the cold steps, she fer vently prayed: "Jesus Mary, and Joseph, Be my help and my guide."

the other black bird of the devil who had

tried to deceive her. So she stoppedâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;now

Then, standing with renewed courage,

very suspicious of little birds. But Angelina looked at her quite seri

Angelina boldly pounded on the door.

ously and said:

the door was immediately opened by an ele

A muffled sound was heard inside and

"Look, Pelusa, in this world there are

gant owl with golden spectacles. The owl

many bad people but there are also many good ones; true wisdom is to know how to tell the bad ones from the good ones. That

wore a black dress and a complicated head dress with orange bows and held out a lantern with a green shade. She politely

other little bird was bad because he was a

asked:

bird of the devil, but these little birds belong

"What can I do for you?"

As she seemed so elegant, Angelina

to God and they are so good that they wept

over Christ's death on Mount Calvary. That is why their song says: "On top of Mount Calvary, Where Christ hung dead and pale. Mourning their God pityingly, Were four goldfinches and one nightingale."

asked if she was Mr. Thunderbolt's wife.

"No, Madam," answered the owl. "I am

his

housekeeper

and

name

Brumhilda."

"My lady, would it be possible for us to

see Mr. Thunderbolt?" asked Angelina very respectfully. "That would be quite difficult," replied

Pelusa was now totally convinced. She gave the little finches not only one but both

the owl. "The poor thing spent the entire

of the cookic.s that she was about to cat. The

toothache and now he is resting.'

goldfinches pecked away and, very happy

Hearing tins, Angelina had an idea. Lifting the palm of her hand to her forehead

with such a nice meal, sang for Pelusa one of those beautiful symphonies that God taught birds to sing. And so Pelusa and Angelina continued on their way. At sunset of that very same day they found themselves only a short distance from the

night groaning and screaming with a

in mock astonishment, she exclaimed:

"But this is providential, niy lady

Brumhilda! Tell the giant that he happens to have at his very doorstep. Dr. Angelina, famous

dentist

who

can

cure

any

toothache!"

"But really?!" exclaimed the owl in

Castle of No Return! It was a

delight. "Oh, step in, step in. I will go and tell him right away. How happy the poor thing is goinv ' ^ be!" The hou.sekeeper ushcix in into a square room all draped in

jT^

black, and left them there, turning

the key on the lock as she left. Little

Pelusa

<)/

thought that the owl had deceived

felt

afraid

because

she

them and had locked them in the

dark room as prisoners. After a long, lonely, and silent wait, they heard a

terrifying sound of dragging chains.

Then, a sad voice groaned from above:

"Should I fall or should I not?"

Three times the voice repealed the

question.

CRUSADE

Family Series Pelusa did not dare to answer, but

Angelina, who in her nervousness was becoming quite irritated, finally called out

angrily at the top of her voice:"Come down

Quite surprised, the giant reached down and picked up the little doll by her head and

placed her on the palm of his hand. "Are you the Dr. Angelina that my

housekeeper Brumhilda announced?"

then!"

The ceiling opened and a leg fell to the

while he was asleep, and he didn't even feel

it. I clean Her Majesty's teeth twice a week and I pulled a molar—roots and all—from the mouth of the Minister of War. You

should have seen those roots! They reached

ing on the giant's hand with as much pomp

all the way down to his ankles! And have you heard about His Excellency the

as if she were walking down Main Street. "I

Bishop? He had not a single tooth left in his

"At your service," said the doll, parad

ground. But it was not just an ordinary leg. Oh, no! It was an enormous leg with red silk stockings and a large yellow leather

am Dr. Angelina, dentist practicing in the

most illustrious mouth. Well, 1 gave him a

shoe.

capital. I first practiced in the Newland

little medicine of mine and by the time evening had set in, he had a new set of teeth as fine as that of a young boy!" The giant opened his eyes very wide and interrupted Angelina, asking her anx

A long silence followed. Then, again, they heard the same sound of dragging chains, and that same eerie voice, which would make one's hair stand on end.

iously: "And can you fix my tooth also?"

"Should I fall or should I not?"

In quite a rage, Angelina answered furi

"But of course 1 can! Why shouldn't

ously: "Will you just fall once and for

1? Open your mouth for me a little bit

all?!"

The ceiling opened again and

and let me look first to make sure 1

another leg fell; it was a perfect

don't pull out the wrong molar." The big fool opened his mouth as

match of the other except that it had

wide as a cave. Holding on to the

a red shoe and a yellow sock. Four times they heard the

hairs of the giant's beard. Angelina climbed up to his

same dragging chains and the

same moaning voice ask:

mouth and peeped in cautiously to examine the upper teeth. She

then climbed up on his mus

"Should I fall or should I

not?"

tache to have a good view of

And one after the other fell

first one arm, then another,

then the trunk of a body and

the bottom ones.

•'

Then, suddenly, with one

then finally a huge ugly head with a red beard. A large black

•

r" ■ 1 1

bandanna was tied around the ^

toothache.

pieces legs, arms, trunk, and

■ J ^

dance, skip and do somersaults in his throat. Mr. Thunderbolt

\V11^ chokedlittleanddollcoughed -I brave held on but with the all

'IPr

' ^Y

head—joined together to make the body of Mr. Thunderbolt, who

her might and went further and further down his throat. As he

lA , /

could not rid himself of the bother-

|H'7 some dentist with his coughing, he

would not have been so bad-look-

ing but for his horrible swollen jaws.

He had a huge mustache, curled at the ^

tips, that reached all the way to his

single leap, she hopped inside his open mouth and began to

head to ease the pain of the

Then in one sweep, all the

began to let out such huge puffs and snorts that the doors and even the walls trembled.

eyes. Sad and upset, he seated himself on

Meanwhile, the fearless little doll had

a chair and began to scream and pull his

succeeded in climbing all the w; Reaching the heart of that bad

hair:

"Oh, my tooth! Oh, my tooth! Oh, my

'-nvn. -he

clicked it off and quickly began to fight her way up again. When she finally came out, the giant let out one last terrible snort,

tooth!"

Little Pelusa and Angelina had taken shelter in a comer of the room, but when

stretched out one leg and then the other,

this character had collected himself and sat

District. But the other dentists there became

made a horrible face and finally lay there

down, Angelina majestically crossed the

extremely envious of me because all the patients came my way. So then I opened my own office on the east side of the city where

dead as a doornail.

echoed through the rooms, and the castle

the Duke of Snowpeaks, who is a very good friend of mine, lent me an apartment free of

collapsed. But, strangely enough, not a stone struck the ground. Instead they were

room and leaped up on the table in order to be closer to the giant's ear. With all the elo

quence of a famous dentist, she proclaimed: "Now, calm yourself, Mr. Thunderbolt,

Then a tremendous sound of thunder

for every pain can be cured, and you are for

charge, so much does he value my work.

all carried away by a legion of small,

tunate enough to have before you Dr. Angelina, famous dentist, who will fix your

My patients include the highest nobility in the court. Why,just the other day, I pulled

hideous devils who flew away with them

toothache in no time at all!"

three teeth from the King's royal mouth

MAY-JUNE, 1997

and disappeared in the distance. These dev ils were of every color but one—white.

Pelusa knew right away

Pelusa understood. She sat in the center

that this knight and this lady were her very own

with Angelina. Then, carefully holding the

father and mother. Over

flew over the wall and placed her gently right on the table where her parents were sitting just as her mother was sadly repeat

come with happiness, she began to knock on the crystal wall, shouting: "Papa! Mama! Here I

ends of the net with their beaks, the birds

ing:

"But where can my little girl be?" "Here I am, papa! Here I am, mama!"

But the couple could

exclaimed Pelusa, who hopped out of the bed of roses holding the smiling and tri

the crystal wall, for they

umphant Angelina in her hand. With that, the spell was broken, and the

not hear her voice through were still under a spell. So Pelusa and Angelina walked

all

around

the

three embraced and kissed and spent a whole month and a half hugging and kissing

wall trying to find either a

while the goldfinches sang many variations

door or a window. But

on the theme:

\\ \.\ \ ■■

they did not find a single opening or crack. The crystal was hard as a rock

\ S

and surrounded the entire garden so that none could

Joy!... Joy!... Joy!

And now we might add that Pelusa

became a charming little princess—which

enter.

mother

she always was, just that no one knew it— and Angelina remained her inseparable

entering a grove of orange

friend. Wherever Pelusa went, there was the

\ Nfc ^

trees, lilacs and lindens. They sat down at a table covered with a beautiful

little doll reminding her of her duties and

Then little Pelusa saw her father and

damask cloth and set with

giving her good advice, for she was very wise. After all, there was a lot in that Little

Boy's blessing.

■

exquisite china and silver-

^ Some were yellow, some blue, some red, and a good number of them were green. As the castle disappeared, Pelusa and

Angelina found themselves standing before a very tall wall made of pure crystal which enclosed a beautiful garden. Looking through the crystal, they could see magnifi

■"

ware. There were only

two places but the lady, still weeping, said to the servant: "Bring in my daughter's chair in case

she comes today." Immediately a small chair was brought and a small silver plate and

golden glass were set before it.

cent flower beds and bushes, water foun

Seeing this, Pelusa vaguely remembered having eaten and

tains that shot up high in the air, and long

drunk from that plate and goblet

pathways flanked by tall trees.

when she was still very small.

Walking down one of the.se paths was a beautiful lady on the arm of a noble knight. She wore a beautiful white gown and a

pain, she cried pitifully:

"Oh, if I were only a little

r '"si

With her heart torn with

necklace of gold. Her hair shone like sun

beams. The knight had a golden mustache, a handsome coat embroidered in gold, vel vet pants embroidered in silver and a widebrimmed hat with white plumes.

I could fly over this

wall and give my dear

mother a kiss!"

c- t

i|||j||H

No sooner had she

Nevertheless, they seemed very sad and downcast, and the lady said with tears in her

finished saying this than the flock of goldfinches

1 'JwflF VuV ^

eyes:

appeared. They landed

WSS A

all around her and tried

kMV ' f!

to console her with their

■ ■JEydl

"Oh, my little girl I wonder where she is now!"

"Don't cry, my dear wife," replied the man to comfort her. "Perhaps she will come today." But he was really just as sad as she

merry songs. They had

brought with them a big silver net with a bed of

roses arranged in it.

CRUSADE

Reach out and touch a loved one with our heautiful Fatima

Greeting Cards! All-purpose, all-occasion Fatima greeting cards to send to your friends and loved ones. Each card brings together the supernatural beauty of our Heavenly Mother and the natural splendor of our beloved country. These full-color 4% x 644

cards have a crisp, glossy finish and are packed in boxes of 10, with two each of five different beautiful scenes. The insides

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Call today!(717) 225-7147

1 he word family indicates a plurality of per sons. There is another word, one of special signifi cance, that indicates just one person:

C\iotn mother is the quintessence of a family, for she is the quintessence of love, the quintessence of affection and, therefore, the quin

tessence of goodness and mercy. It is in contact with its mother that a child begins to

understand untiring goodness, begins to understand inexhaustible grace, consideration, and

love, as well as that form of affection which disposes the mother to find no tedium in being with her child. To carry her child in her arms, to play with her child, to allow her child to

run freely back and forth, to be interrupted countless times during the day with little ques tions and toysâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;this is life's joy for a good mother.

Someone who in the first stages of life experienced the joy of hav ing a good mother understands that life on earth can be very difficult. Bur as long as he remembers his mother, he will retain the paradisial

remembrance of his infancy. And retaining this remembrance, the per son maintains hope in the Celestial Paradise, where the Good Mother will welcome us.

Excerpts from a meeting given by Prof. Plinio Correa de Oliveira on

the feast of Our Lady Help of Christians, May 24, 1995-

m JulV'August, 1997

The American Society for the Defense of TVadition, Family and Property â&#x20AC;&#x201D; IFF

In the East, Fatima

Message Making Time Since 1991 the French Society for the Defense of Tradition, Family,

and Property has expanded its apos tolic efforts to the world formerly encircled by the Iron Curtain. That this

world has yet to see itself entirely free from the claws of the red wolf is confirmed

by recent legislation approved by a large

majority in the Russian Parliament. The bill, which was later vetoed by President Yeltsin, rec

ognized but four religions as legal. Catholicism is not among the four.

Still, the vicis.siludes of the most essential of liberties in

these countries has not prevented the French TFP from continuing its efforts to spread the Fatima message there. The authentic word of hope for the modem world as a whole, the message is especially so for those unfortunate people, who

have already suffered so much â&#x20AC;&#x201D; "My Immaculate Heart will be your refuge and the way that will lead you to God." Now in 1997, the French TFP, assisted by the Italian association Luci sulFEst (Light over the East), is organiz ing four "caravan.s" â&#x20AC;&#x201D; teams or groups in one or more cars

or vans â&#x20AC;&#x201D; that will visit nine countries throughout the sum mer. In a later issue we hope to publish a complete report of their travels, along with a look at the history of these car avans and future plans of the Counter-Revolutionary apostolate in those countries.

For now, we content ourselves with publishing but a few photos of caravans of previous years, which serve to illustrate the keen religious thirst to be found in those coun

tries. It is encouraging to see that despite decades of athe

istic rule. Divine Providence has mercifully kept the light of the true Faith enkindled in the hearts of their peoples during their long years under totalitarian governments.

^ UkramB

July-August, 1997 â?&#x2013; In Brief

Cover: The Great Wail of China

Society Work, Work. Work, When Do We Live

Cover Article CHINA: Caught in the Vortex of the Crisis of Western Civilization

Prophets, Martyrs, Saints and Heroes Sixteen Carmelite Martyrs of Coinpiegnc

Forgotten Truths How Advantageous is the Indissolubility of Marriage The myth of Romanticism and the reality of Divorce

Commentary Divorce and Romanticism

Interview Are You an Apostle in the Marketplace?

Packed APPI Conference Counters

Homosexual Agenda

Basic History Course of Western Civilization Jesus Christ: God, Savior, and King The Center of History - Part III

25 China abandoning its past: not such a good idea after all

Family Series The Little Juggler of Our Lady

Stories: the best way to teach our children

Centenary St. Therese of the Child Jesus and the Holy Face Between suffering and joy: the life of a Saint . . ,

Crusade Magazine Is a publication of the American Society for the Defense of Tradition, Family and Property (TFP). Subscriptions in the United States and Canada, $24.00. Foreign subscriptions, $30.00. List of other TFP publications available upon request. Direct all subscription requests and inquiries to: Crusade Magazine, P.O. Box 1868, York, PA 17405. Tel.: (717) 225-7147, Fax: (717) 225-7382, WWW.TFP.ORG.

When do we live...

Crusade Magazine

To All Our Readers,

Editor: C. Preston Noell III Associate Editors:

Earl Appleby

New and Old

Thomas Becket

Jack Bumham

Eugenia Guzman

Many who are reading

Crusade recognizes and focuses

Crusade for the first time

on all this as we are bound to do.

with this issue will won

But, firmly grounded in the Catholic

der what our editorial approach is. What is Crusade's defined goal or specific focus? The magazine is clearly conservative, with a strong religious note—Catholic—and fam

ily oriented. A ten-second glance at its contents will reveal that. But

Gary Isbell Thomas i. McKenna Photography:

Todd F. Kamuf

Faith and reassured by the most sig nificant supernatural event of this

Circulation:

century—the apparition of Our Lady to three small children at

Foreign Correspondents:

Gregory Escaro AUSTRALIA: John S. Tucker

Fatima in 1917—Crusade knows

BRAZIL; Jose Carlos Sepulveda

that at the moment when hope seems illogical, the words of Our

CHILE: Nelson Fan'as Blanco

FRANCE: Benoit Bemelmans

there is a more specific point of unity that may not be so readily apparent: Crusade has an agenda.

Lady will be fulfilled, "Finally, my

GERMANY; Beno Hofschulte

immaculate heart will triumph." The gates of hell shall not prevail.

PORTUGAL: Antonio C. de Azeredo

It could best be described as an

How does a magazine work

effort at restoration.

toward this?

Restoration of what? Of every

thing that merits restoring. Saint Francis of Assist heard his

time engaging in a constant search for the examples and small details

famous

God's

that lie buried in our rich Catholic

Church, society was largely intact.

heritage. We Catholics today suffer

He and his disciples took on the task

from a kind of minimalist notion of

of attempting to reverse the flood of

laxity and worldliness threatening to

our religion. We know the Creed, the basic truths taught in the

inundate the Church.

Catechism (Of course, we speak

The

crisis

restore

civilization

SPAIN: Felipe Barandiaran

Simply by not backing down on

any of the issues, while at the same

In the thirteenth century, when call

ROME: Juan M. Monies SOUTH AFRICA: Richard Urban

The American TFP

The American Society for the Defense of Tradition, Family and Property (TFP) was founded in 1973 to confront the profound crisis shaking the modem world. It is a

civic, cultural and nonpartisan orga

faces

here of those who are Catholic in

nization which, inspired by the tra

today is much deeper than that in

more than just in name.), but living

ditional teachings of the Supreme

Saint Francis's time. It has crossed

in a Protestant or secularist society,

Magisterium of the Roman Catholic

over the boundaries of mere cus

we lack exposure to a complete

Church, works in a legal and peace

toms, habits, and private morality. Today's evil, unlike that of Saint

Catholic culture. Rather, we live

ful manner in the realm of ideas to

besieged by images that draw us

defend and promote the principles

Francis's

away from the Faith. By working to restore a notion of

of private ownership, famil' perennial Christian values will,

time,

finds

itself

entrenched in laws, institutions, and

deeply rooted philosophical and

Catholic daily life, of Catholic hero

twofold function: individual and

artistic schools.

ism, of Catholic solutions, of

social. The TFP's words and efforts

have always been faithfully at the

The current "culture of death"

Catholic holiness accumulated in

that seems to be going from parox ysm to paroxysm, moving from

two thousand years of Catholic his tory, Crusade attempts to present a

service of Christian civilization.

on request and probably to geneti

plausible alternative to the mod ernism, materialism, leftism, and

Brazil by the famous intellectual

cally engineered manipulation for all, represents just a phase—albeit a

contemporary world.

abortion on demand to euthanasia

very important one—on the road to

the all-out kingdom of evil.

various other "isms" that fill our

We welcome all our readers, new

and old, to this endeavor.

The first TFP was founded in and Catholic leader Prof. Plinio

Correa de Oliveira in 1960. His

work has inspired the formation of other autonomous TFPs in 26 coun

tries across the globe, thus consti tuting the world's largest anticommunist and antisocialist network of

Catholic inspiration.

CRUSADE

IN BRIEF 0The impossible co-existence

El Chow down,comrades!

ber of working parishes administered by the Church in that "former" bastion of atheism,

"We must consider the common good before the individual good..."

Sasha Spesitsev sits in jail awaiting trial on 19 counts of murder, all of which he has

Russia, from two to 168. Encouraging news indeed, and a great incentive for faithful Catholics everywhere to increase their prayers for the dedicated souls who have

"Some people attack China's crackdown

admitted. He cites as his motive what he

on criminals by saying that it 'persecutes religious people...'"

terms the evils of Russia's new permissive democracy, which has transformed the once

With faithful Catholics in Red China

flock.

already labeled "criminal" and being vio

safely regulated Soviet world he once knew into a veritable every-man-for-himself den

lently persecuted and forced underground,

of corruption and vice and dishonest politi

ratus of "democratic" Russia has made yet

how will Catholics in Hong Kong react in

cians. As if the murder weren't bad enough,

another attempt to provide its citizens with a

face of statements such as those above,

Spesitsev did not hesitate to satisfy his hunger with the remains of his victims, with

so-distant past, namely, the curtailing of reli

the complicity of his mother, who helped cook them.

But even this is not the most upsetting

aspect of the episode. Recall the horror which surrounded the whole case of Jeffrey Dahmer, the notorious serial killer and can

been entrusted with this much-neglected

Just recently, however, the political appa

kind of "freedom" reminiscent of their not-

gious liberty. In short, a bill overwhelmingly passed by the upper house of Russia's legislature would officially permit only four religions — Orthodoxy, Islam, Judaism, and Buddhism — leaving the Catholic Church

nibal from Milwaukee. Well, it seems that

among those that would be stripped of legal

residents

status.

and

even

the

police

Novokuznetsk, where Spesitsev perpetrated his atrocities and where his family has friends in high places, arc taking the whole thing nonchalantly. Even the victims' fami

★ which they don't expect

Amidst international popular outcry and concern, including a letter from the Holy Father to Boris Yeltsin, the bill has since

been put aside.

made, respectively, by the Beijing-appointed

lies remain indifferent, not knowing how to

What needs pointing out, however, is that

governor of the formerly free city and by the

lobby for justice —

the bill not only was heavily favored by

anyway.

of the Russian Orthodox Church — and this

director of the Bureau for Religious Affairs in Beijing? The Catholic Church, underground in Red China, is currently above-ground in

Hong Kong. But what of the future? A priest leaching in a Hong Kong secondary school summed it up well: "If you look at China's record on religious freedom, it is difficult to be upbeat."

The Church manages and staffs 327

.schools and kindergartens in Hong Kong, with nearly 300,000 pupils. She is also

re.sponsible for the management of 23 hospi tals and clinics, 14 social centers, 10 hostels for the homeless, and 25 homes for the

elderly and handicapped. Only 5% of the beneficiaries of these services provided by the Catholic Church are practicing Christians, meaning that far more than just Her own flock benefit from Her ministry and assistance.

fell, the strident misery

in the face of the "friendly" relations fos tered in the past few years.

and horror of what had

With such friends, who needs enemies?

When the Iron Curtain

been created, fostered,

and generalized behind it for so many decades was evident even to the casual

observer (and could no longer be so easily ignored by others not so casual). Is that the "safely regulated" Soviet world for which this murderous cannibal longs? Alas. Spesitsev and the apathy regarding his crimes do not result from any departure

that, in the very least, the Catholic schools

will be targeted first? Oil will never mix with water, particular

ly when the oil is the sacred and orthodox unguent of the Holy Catholic Church, and the water is from the polluted and miasmic swamp of communism.

JULY-AUGUST, 1997

^uickCourt

of the former Soviet world from the path set by Marx. Lenin, and Stalin, but are rather

the logical consequence of it. When deprived of its soul, the body naturally cor rupts and decomposes. Analogously, what can be expected of a State when deprived of the benign infiuence of the Faith?

With freedom of assembly already cur tailed and police powers already increased, coupled with analysis of Communist ideolo gy and methodology, who could not surmise

Russian legislators, but also had the support

0Technological "progress," moral regression

B A friend In need? Vending machines have proven prodi In the years since the fall of the Iron Curtain, Holy Mother Church has made notable efforts to minister to the people of Eastern Europe who for so long have been

giously versatile, adaptable to providing vir tually every convenience, worthwhile or not, from drinks and sandwiches to hosts to be

consecrated at Mass. But, in this era,

brutalized by communism. Having encoun

increasingly diverted from the path set it by

tered a genuine thirst for things of the super

Our Lord Jesus Christ, convenience often

natural, the Church has increased the num

overrides any consideration of correctness

Crusade

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IN BRIEF and virtue. Nearly anyone with a few coin.s can obtain contraceptives on demand, for

understood that not one of them means that

and European oil. property, and investment

the Mother of God is at all equal to Our

example, and now, the latest vending .ser

Lord Jesus Christ. Rather, they refer to roles

vice offered the American public, divorce

which the Divine Majesty desired His Holy

magnates. Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands and Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom (whose listed wealth includes the

papers.

Mother to fill, and which she ministers by

Crown Jewels that she holds in trust for the

Divine decree and in relation to Our Lord.

nation) both made the list.

cally-correct jargon calls the "maritally challenged," the machines are designed to

Between Our Lord and Our Lady there is an unbridgeable, infinite gap. "In relation to,"

surpasses both of those sovereigns is

facilitate the presentation of correctly com pleted divorce papers, without the high

clearly, is not synonymous with "in place of."

Available to those whom today's politi

One of the reasons cited for the unani

That Saddam Hussein of Gulf War fame

enough to disturb anyone, especially con sidering that the source of his wealth,

lawyer fees normally incurred. Known as

mous decision not to define and promulgate

according to Forbes, is that his son Uday

QuickCourt, the machines, available in

these titles of the Mother of God was that

three slates so far, are located in such places as public libraries and community college

the "theologians â&#x20AC;&#x201D; especially the non-

controls all the smuggling in the country! Concerning this ruling family, when you

Catholics â&#x20AC;&#x201D; were sensitive to the ecumeni

take the "dy" out of dynasty, what you have

campu.ses.

cal difficulties which a definition of these

Does anyone believe that the exi.stence of such things in our society is going to facilitate an "application" to Heaven for the "redemptively challenged"?

titles could involve."

left really pays off. Running a distant second to Hussein among those on the list who are known tyrants and violators of the most basic

0 How sharper than

It is not surprising that non-Catholics might have special difficulty in concurring with the proposed titles of Mary Most Holy. But. whatever respect their education may demand, however kind and upright and pious they may be. what is their role within the Catholic Church? Is it to

a serpent's tooth...

assist in determining which newly A 15-member commission, including an Anglican, a Lutheran, and three Orthodox theologians, has deemed it inappropriate for the Catholic Church to define "new teach-

formally

proclaimed

"Mediatrix."

Fidel Castro. The great castigator of capi talist greed and champion of sociali.st equality has only a paltry $' ' bil lion. compared to Hussein's i-

elaborated truths are to be defined and

lion. Knowing the mis

included in the deposit of sacred doc trine, of which Holy Mothei' Church is the sole repository?

erable

ing.s" on Our Lady. Numerous Catholics have recently peti

tioned the Holy See that Our Lady

human rights is the Western Hemisphere's own warden of the Caribbean Island Prison.

the

0 Brutality and slavery:

several hundred bishops had hopes of see

of the

blood

the

Cuban people (given in the name of the

people, of course)

lucrative investments for some

has served in great

"Coredemptrix," and "Advocate," titles that

ing proclaimed by Vatican Council II. All of

stale

average Cuban, one may well surmise that

The names of many of the world's rich est people, all billionaires, on the annual

part to fill Castro's coffers. In the commu

nist workers' paradise, equality really pays

these titles have long been familiar among

Forbes 500 list, come as no surprise. Of

off, especially when some are more equal

the ranks of the faithful, who have well

course, there are the Middle Eastern, Asian,

than others.

CRUSADE

Society

PÂŠ t by Michelle Taylor

Z^ife is the best of books. For whoever likes to observe it, there is no better novel or story. Having many friend.s, my life is quite diverse and certainly not boring. Quite the contrary. The other day, I went to visit a good friend and saw that she was looking somewhat blue. We sat down, each with a cup of tea â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Something in the very nature of tea seems to slow the day's pace and

set spirits in a confiding mood. Maybe that is why "tea time" in England is so sacred. No matter what

means, no,.. But... 1 don't know how to put it... Does

work always have to be everything^ We never talk, we never... well... just sit down and enjoy a cup of u we are doing now." I knew what she meant. I've been out in the work

place and felt the peer pressure not only to work but

happens, when the small hand on the clock reaches

to become a veritable machine. You have a regular job

five, England stops. A serenity, a certain sweetness, hovers over the land; everyone sits down for a nice chat. Everyone feels better, as if an angel in charge of

from nine to five. You have your lunch hour, but, if

tea has served it.

as possible between bites and scribbling tomorrow's

Does work

always have to be everything? JULY-AUGUST, 1997

lazy husband, would you? He is a good provider, responsible, motivated, dynamic, what else?" "Wellll..." she answered, "I guess I have so much to be thankful for. I'm not complaining, by any

you really "love your job," you will stay after hours,

eat a sandwich at your desk, answering as many calls

Anyway, that day my friend began to open her .soul over her cup of tea. Her troubles, domestic: She had a part-time job; her hus-

tences.

band worked full time, overtime, and over,

ful, productive American, to be commended as a

overtime.

"Well," I said, "that is a rather good prob lem to have, isn't it? You wouldn't want a

assignments while sipping some coke between sen

That makes a perfectly dedicated, efficient, use model for the country. Sound familiar? It isn't written anywhere, but it is nonetheless

there. Deep down in your subconscious, you start

Society

at home? Imagine a scene which is becoming

meal. The table was only a plain board on four posts; the tablecloth, even though very old, was very clean. But the warmth, the joy, the sense of belonging, were so thick that it was almost palpa

almost non-existent but which can still be found; a

ble... And no one was concerned that the floor on

feeling that you are worth something only if you are this way.

Such is the scene in the workplace. What about

wife and mother who does not have a regular job

which the table stood was not only dusty, but

but who has three children and a household to

merely the barren, beaten dirt.

look after.

Sometimes we

must look for

Again, somewhere in her mind is the idea that

extremes to try to illustrate a point.

she will only be the perfect housewife if she works all day long. And that is pretty much what she has to do to keep her family together in the absence of

Such poverty is certainly not neces sary to happiness; no, that is not what

other help.

After her husband gets off in the morning,

if you aren't working.,

I mean. Contrary to today's ecologi cal New-Age trend, I do not defend the growing theory that we must return to the woods to find

there are the two children to feed and send off to

lost happiness.

school with lunches packed, then the baby to attend to. Thus begins the daily round of cleaning

a healthy hunger for perfection and for true

and washing and ironing and cooking. Yes, it all

progress. If we are able to provide a good house,

has to be done and done well, but somehow, after

all that is accomplished and she sits down for a

with a good environment for our families, that is certainly the better way. But, the spirit cannot be

cup of coffee while keeping an eye on the baby

lost in the process.

and the children doing their homework, she looks

If to maintain so many material goods we must forget that the priority on this earth is the care of

over at the Venetian blinds and sees that they

aren't as perfectly white as when she hung them

up two months ago... and she feels guilty: "I shouldn't be here sipping a cup of coffee when

According to Saint Thomas Aquinas, man has

our own souls and those given into our care, we are certainly losing something vital.

Not only is it no sin to "steal" some time just

there are the blinds to be cleaned."

to be with our own,to focus our attention on them,

Here is the clincher â&#x20AC;&#x201D; feeling guilty if you're not working.

to develop and deepen our relationship and enjoy

Yes, we must function; yes, we must work; yes, we must win our daily bread by the sweat of our brow. But that was the punishment meted out to Adam, not the reason he was created. "Because

thou hast hearkened to the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree...with labor and toil shalt

thou eat thereof all the days of thy life" (Gen. 3:17). Adam had been created primarily to do what the Catechism teaches: "To know, love,

.serve, and give glory to God and be happy with Him in heaven."

That might provide one explanation for the great wave of frustration in homes across America. The explanation for so many misunder standings, the reason so many Americans feel like permanent "loners" in their own homes. Could one of the deep psychological reasons for the great popularity of the movie Home Alone have been that many people subconsciously feel "home alone"?

1 once had the opportunity to visit some coun tries in South America. In certain areas the pover ty is a "shocker" for our American consumer sen

sibilities. Compared to what the average lowincome American household possesses, they have nothing. Yet, their sense of family, of mutual, moral support, of affection between the members

of a family, is such that it is simply overwhelm ingly heartwarming. I saw families spending hours on end together, sharing a meal of rice and beans and a little bit of

CRUSADE

"Martha, Martha, thou art careful, and art troubled

about many things... But... Mary hath chosen the

better part"

Jesus visits the house of Lazarus, Martha, and Mary

their company, but it should be labeled an emergency, a nation al obligation, for we are having major communications prob lems.

If the blinds must remain dusty for one more day so we can give some extra attention to a child who needs it or simply sit

"Martha, Martha, thou art careful, and art troubled about many things: But one thing is necessary. Mary hath chosen the bet ter part, which shall not be taken away from her"(Luke 10:41). Our Lord clearly appreciated Martha's activity and even complimented her: "Martha, Martha, thou art careful...." Yes,

around the table with the family and do nothing much, that is

Martha was a conscientious and dutiful woman, and Our Lord

certainly worthwhile. Are we doing nothing? Certainly not! We are doing something far greater than dusting a blind. We are giving our children a sense of belonging, a sense that they

liked that. But Mary was also doing her part, which was not only a good part but the most important part: she was keeping

are the first claimants to our time, a sense offamily.

could love Him more and serve Him better.

If we can lake an hour for lunch, eating a sandwich and enjoying a beautiful fall day and reading a good book or mag azine, are we wasting precious time? Certainly not! We are not

Him company and getting to know Him more deeply so she Yes, our America is facing an unprecedented wave of

stress-related problems, one of which is depression. Years ago I remember depression as a fleeting feeling, occasioned by

only investing in being a more efficient worker by renewing

some disappointment or loss, which nearly everyone experi

our strength, but we are also becoming a better "team worker"

enced but soon left behind or overcame. But now the word is

and person to be around, simply because we are becoming more interesting ourselves. If nothing else, we will have some

generally known as an established medical term that depicts a national state of affairs.

thing to talk about. During that lunch hour, we would feed not

We must work and make the best of our work and even

only our body but also our spirit. Just yesterday, I received in the mail a pamphlet entitled: "How to Fight Stress in the Work Place." It depicted filing cab

enjoy it. It is our inheritance from Adam and a truly healthy forget: Work was part of the punishment and not the reason for

inets placed on a seashore with a young secretary leaning

creation. We are bodies, but we are mainly spirits "made to the

against them and looking out at a passing sail-boat. The mes

image and likeness of God."

sage was obvious: Work, but also enjoy the good things of life. Stop, think, contemplate some beautiful thing; do "nothing" at times and fill your spirit with good, constructive, and creative impressions. In other words, feed your hungry soul too.

Jesus Himself sliowed us this clearly when He visited the house of his friend Lazarus and his two sisters Martha and

Mary in Bethany. Martha was the more practical-minded, a good and conscientious housekeeper and perfect hostess. She knew and appreciated the exaltedness of her Guest and wanted every thing to be perfect for Him. And He appreciated that. Mary also under stood the great privilege it was to receive

the

Master in

their

house, but instead of going about the many house-chores, "she sat at His feel," that is, she

kept Him company. She seeming ly did nothing, but Jesus, being asked by Martha to rebuke Mary for her "inactivity." answered:

JULY-AUGUST, 1997

discipline, occupation, and cure for many ills. But we cannot

The Bible seems to imply that before the fall God Himself came down and walked with Adam in Paradise "in the after

noon air"(Gen. 3:8). Couldn't we call that Adam's divine tea

time? Maybe we should adopt this custom. And maybe God would be so pleased with our decision that He would send down a special angel to serve our "tea"(or coffee, if you pre fer), that is, to bring that special feeling of serenity and enjoy ment that good leisure brings. The whole nation would feel the

great blessing that it is just to stop and stand still, to enjoy each other's company and learn from

each other's acquired knowl edge and impressions; to deepen friendships and rela tionships; to learn how to weave "nothing-doing" time into our lives â&#x20AC;&#x201D; and to be a

happier and belter people for it. We would not only work, but also live.

â&#x2013;

The Giant Awakens China's potential as we cross the threshold of the next millennium â&#x2013; u

The French dictator Napoleon is said to have once remarked that

when China awakens,"she will shake the world."

It may be that this prediction is

maintain and expand its military complex. The last few decades of China's

the communist government to intro duce Deng Xiaoping's three mod

China has the world's largest stand

ernizations: industry, agriculture,

ing army. The U.S. National Air

science and defense. This has led to

Intelligence Center has recently

an annual growth rate of ten or

revealed that China's intermediate-

more percent over the past fifteen

range ballistic missile(IRBM)

years compared to America's two

nuclear forces are on the increase.

They now have the ability to suike

percent. It has brought a flood of Chinese goods into the United

almost anywhere in Asia, including

States and a flood of Western capi

India, Japan, the Philippines, and

tal into China.

Taiwan. Air Force Intelligence

^ tSL' '

There is no doubt that since

Mao's death in 1976, China has

developing a new inter-continental

made effective economic reforms

ballistic missile, the DF-31, which

based on market economics. In agri

will have the capacity to strike the

culture she has partially reversed

western United States by the year

the devastating agrarian reform car

2000.

â&#x2013;

history have seen massive efforts by

about to be realized. Today Red

reported last year that China is

tk:

by Thomas Becket

ried out earlier by the communists.

Conditions favorable to expan

This has entailed limited property

sionism exist in China today. She

rights for China's farmers and has

holds about a fifth of the world's

resulted in massive increases in pro

population, at 1.2 billion, yet only seven percent of the world's arable

ductivity.

land is Chinese. China has only

something cut off during the

450,000 square miles under cultiva tion, with very little possibility of

"Cultural Revolution"(1966-76),

increase. By comparison, the United

profitable private sector. She has

Cultural revolution she became so cut off from

States alone has about 570,000

even begun to develop a legal sys

square miles of cultivated land with

tem to accommodate the demands

the possibility of great expansion.

of Western businessmen. The revo

the world that by 1968 she maintained but one foreign ambassador. Historically China 1 on a non-aggressive power, but within the la ilcentury we have fought two wars in which China

Red China has gained a power ful lobby in Washington. Some

By allowing foreign investment,

China has developed a large and

that of the West, yet in the twentieth cen

tury it threw everything away for a spurious ide ology imported from the West. China contains one fifth of the world's population, yet during the

lution had destroyed the Chinese

was deeply involved, and we are now faced with

the possibility of nuclear war again. Our politi cians admit that China brutalizes its population,

American businesses have much to

China has been by decree. Rule of

law purely and simply has not exist

America. To home in on this issue,

ed.

revocation of most-favored-nation

a long time its civilization had surpassed

legal system, and until now rule in

gain selling cheap Chinese goods in Madeleine Albright claimed that

The empire had lasted over 2000 years. For

systematically suppresses religion, and trades in

arms with our enemies, yet they repeatedly grant her most-favored nation status. What can we next

These measures have successful

ly enabled the once backward com

expect from China?

China is the foremost example of a nonChristian country caught up in the throes of the revolutionary process that is presently shaking

(MFN)status would cost American

munist monolith to become a major

shoppers over half a billion dollars.

world player. China now has the

Christian civilization to its roots. As Prof. Plinio

China holds a $35 billion annual

power to demand what it wants, and

Correa de Oliveira put it, the crisis of the West "also affects other peoples to the degree that

trading advantage over the United

even the United States must think

States, which it can use to help

twice before objecting. CRUSADE

Western influence has reached and taken

root among them. In their ca.se, the crisis is interwoven with problems peculiar to their

respective cultures and civilizations and to the clash of these with the positive or nega tive elements of Western culture and civi lization,"

As the West's ability to navigate the seas improved. China's contact with the Christian West intensified. In the seventeenth century,

'I,

the Chinese elite.

George III of England sent emissaries to attempt to establish trade relations in 1793, the Chinese emperor answered that he felt

Shoitly after the establishment of the mission, the Ming dynasty fell (1644), leav ing the ruling class the Jesuits had worked

advi.sed the king that he should strengthen his loyalty by "swearing peipetual obedi

the task of translating the Confucian classics into Latin and building a relationship with

no need of such trade. On the other hand, he

with out in the cold and respect for

ence (to the emperor] so as to ensure that

Confucian learning temporally eclipsed by political events. The new rulers, the

your country may share the blessings of

Manchus, outlawed Catholicism in 1724

This self-suftlcicncy began to . m the nineteenth centuiy with the onslaiiglu of

peace."

with the efforts of Jesuit missionaries to con

after a brief period of toleration. The Jesuit

vert China to the Faith, this contact took on cultural tone.

efforts suffered a further blow when Pope Benedict XIV perceived that some exagger ation in the degree of "inculturalization" the

by the industrial revolution. At that time. Protestant missionaries began to pour into

When Jesuit Father Matteo Ricci (15521610) entered China in 1601, he immediate

Jesuits were engaged in posed a threat to the Faith. He issued a bull in 1742 forbidding

Christianity with We.stern imperialism in the

ly realized two prerequisites of his mission ary efforts. First, the best approach was to work with members of the ruling class; if

Catholics to participate in Confucian rituals.

minds of the Chinese.

The Emperor of China and George III

Japan's rapid development during that time, the humiliation of the Opium Wars, and the increasing pressure of Western

a much more philosophical, religious, and

they converted the rest of China would fol low. The second was that China's core phi losophy. Confucianism, had many elements

a fresh wave of contact with the West fueled

China. Their efforts, however, tended to link

imperialism came together to shake China's

Until the end of the eighteenth century.

confidence in itseli', its philosophy, and its

that could easily be adapted to Christianity.

China looked at the rest of the world with an

system of government. From 1898 to 1901 a

He and his Jesuit mi.ssionaries went about

air of unconcerned superiority. When

failed attempt at a Chinese traditionalist rev-

JULY-AUGUST. 1997

Cover Article

The Truth About China

extend most-favored-nation or normal trade

past and float on a cloud into a new world

relations with China reflects our commit

order as a responsible nation.

ment to this goal." This policy aims to com pletely unlink trade from any moral issue.

Open markets = open society?

Under it the United States sends the mes

sage that whatever China does to its own

On the other hand there are those who do

Analysts of China have asked questions

people is of no concern to us. The

not accept this dogma at face value. Willem

about what direction she will take, what

euphemism for this policy is "constructive engagement".

Kong Taiwan, Inc., notes that there is not

threat she presents to American interests and security, and how best to protect those inter

ests. Contrary yet apparently plausible inter

This attitude results from a dogmatic

necessarily a link between open markets and

adherence to the belief that open markets

open societies. He argues that although the Chinese have gone from being "Mao-wor-

will lead automatically to a free economy

pretations span the horizon. On one side there is the belief that China

will drift towards American-style capitalism

von Kemenade, author of China, Hong

and a free economy will in turn lead to an open and free society. All the West needs to

shipping blue ant.s" to "nihilistic, ultra-indi

and freedom. This is the position adopted by the Clinton Administration when Secretary of State Madeleine K. Albright affirms "there is no greater opportunity â&#x20AC;&#x201D; or chal

do is invest money, abstain from any open criticism of China's human-rights policies,

vidualistic, money-worshipping hedonists," the existence of a market economy for years has not and may never produce a Western-

and ignore violations of arms treaties when

style society.

lenge â&#x20AC;&#x201D; in U.S. foreign policy today than to

mies of the United States.

China sells weaponry to Iran and other ene

Many notice the contradiction. Why is it,

they ask, that the Secretary of State adopts a

encourage China's integration as a fully

China will realize that we are really

hard-line approach on similar issues with

responsible member of the international

well-meaning nice guys who just want a

Burma, for example? China is certainly no

system. President Clinton's decision to

better world. She will turn her back on the

less repressive a society than Burma.

olution, the Boxer Rebellion, further served

World War I, had conducted his initial revo

to undermine China's confidence in its

lutionary activities from the United States

future.

and Japan. Sun was soon swept away by

China began to look outside herself for a

Yuan Shikai, who directed a "second revolu-

tion." China then fell into a period of anar chy known as the warlord period. Communism

solution. Entrance into the Chinese elite in

the empire had been open to anyone who

Civil war and war with Japan brought

could pass examinations demonstrating

Mao Tse-Tung and his communists to power through a number of unusual twists of fate. By that time, 1949, the Chinese

mastery of the traditional Confucian teach

ings. This age-old .system, which had been

the bulwark of Confucian society, was

were willing to accept anyone offering peace and a return to normality.

abolished in 1905 in the hope that "new

learning" from abroad would reinvigorate

There is nothing very out of the ordinary

the intelligentsia. Effectively, this sudden change dashed the hopes of a generation of Chine.se intellectuals to rise through the tra ditional system by long and intensive stud ies of the Chinese classics. Young Chinese students were instead .sent to Japan and

about a weak dynasty being overthrown in

a coup-style revolution and an ensuing period of instability. What made the out come so different and deadly for China was

that once again a Western disease. C' nism. had infected China.

Europe, where they were exposed to the

China, unlike the West, however, had no

anti-bodies against this malady. In the West, the restraints inherent to a society still steeped in Christianity gave rise to

current ideologies infecting the universi ties.

End of the Empire

strong anti-communist reactions. China did not have this to fall back on, and Confu

cianism had been all but destroyed. The

In 1912 the coup de grace came for the iwo-thousand-year-old empire with the

nationalists under Chiang Kai-shek, defeat

republican revolution that brought China's most famous revolutionary. Sun Yat-sen,

ed by Mao in 1949, had never developed a coherent ideology. The road clear, China was the perfect place to begin a great experiment in com munist rule. Mao. with Soviet backing, was

back to China. Sun, caught up in the same wave of democratic enthusiasm that would

oversee the end of the old houses of Europe during the Wilsonian period following

Statue of MaoTse-Tung in Chengdu, Sichuan

the man to do it.

CRUSADE

Cover Article

(Note: On this, see also Jean-Francois Orsini's example of this on page 22 of this

prison. The communists sentenced him to

rise. Last year alone, 15,000 religious sites in the Zhegiang Province were destroyed, and in Jiagxi Province 80

issue.)

fourteen years for the crime of posting a sign on what later became known to the world as "democracy wall." They released him briefly while the International Olympic

Catholics were beaten and jailed in

Evil Empire

Committee considered holding the 2000

The New Republic. A Catholic priest, Fr. Guo Bo Le, was sentenced to two years of

Rep. Christopher Cox put it this way: "For hundreds of millions of people, an evil

empire still lives â&#x20AC;&#x201D; and speaking the truth about communism will remain as important

Olympics in Peking, only to slam him back in prison as soon as the Committee decided against China's bid to host the games. It has recently been reported that he has been beat

November, reports Jacob Heilbrum of

"re-education" for the crime of celebrat

ing Mass. Many more incidents go unno ticed.

in the next century as it was in the last." For the tortured and imprisoned dissi dent Wei Jingsheng, the situation is also

en and denied medical assistance. demonstrates that the Chinese are indeed

Re-education camps still use starvation and torture, such as hanging victims upside down and prodding them with electric

clear. "The

sensitive to criticism and pressure. It is

shocks and other instruments. To add to the

The treatment received by Mr. Wei

United States and other

Western countries," he says, "have suc

unfortunate that the West is not as sensitive

effect, the victim's relatives are often forced

cumbed and stopped criticizing China.

to the suffering of the Chinese.

to look on.

China feels it can now do whatever it

wants to me and other dissidents." Mr. Wei's fate is one of the more illus

Persecution of Christians in China

trative examples of how the Chinese Recent reporting indicates that perse

Communists view their human-rights poli

cies. He has spent most of his adult life in

cution of Christians in China is on the

The Experiment

The scope of these attacks is hardly known in the West, but it has been detailed

to a considerable extent by our own State

Department. This makes the blind belief in "constructive engagement" even more alarming.

Ami" campaigns against corruption in 1951 and the "Thought Reform" of 1951-52

Stalinism at the twentieth Party Congress of

compared to what would come later. In char

against intellectuals kept the population agi

eulogized Stalin considerably,found himself

acteristically Marxist fashion, a land reform

tated and its revolutionary dynamism tuned

in an awkward situation.

was initiated. At lca.st 800,000 landlords

up.

The experiment began rather gradually

were killed during that reform.

the Soviet Union in 1956, Mao, who had

Tensions were developing because the

The 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre

Soviet model of urban-industrial based com

Teams of urban youths were dispatched

should have been predictable to students of

munism did not fit China's agricultural soci

into the countryside to carry out the reform and to classify the peasants for future refer ence into rich, middle, and poor. The com munists were smart enough not to fully col

Chinese communism. Mao had carried out

ety very well. With Soviet aid ending, Mao

similar maneuvers, allowing apparent free

decided to launch what would be China's

lectivize agriculture at this time. They pre-

.served initiative and agricultural productivi ty by keeping a rich peasant economy. At the

same time, they got rid of a potentially counter-revolutionary segment of the popu lation, the landlords.

dom to criticize the regime and then clamp

greatest disaster to date: the Great Leap

ing down. He had promoted the "Hundred

Forward of 1958. The collectivization of

Flower Campaign" that encouraged intellec tuals to speak out against the communist regime, only to follow it with the "AntiRightist Campaign," which took advantage of information gathered on intellectuals to portray them as enemies of the revolution.

mass movement, which would play in China

The Chinese Communist Party had received Soviet financial and tactical sup port from its inception. The Soviets had cre

the role reserved for KGB terror in the

ated and subsidized Soviet-style industries

Soviet Union. The "Three Anti" and "Five

in China and had helped draw up a "Five-

A main feature of Chinese communism

came into its own during this period, the

Year Plan" for China. However, following Stalin's death in 1953, China's relations

with the Soviet Union began to cool.

agriculture was completed. The Chinese

economy was divided into units organized on strictly communist principles. Peasants were gathered together into communes where even meals were taken in common at

long tables. Millions of sparrows die

Mao believed that by mobilizing the pop ulation he could achieve anything, even a

of the violence when Irussed-up coqjses, many without heads, began floating down the Pearl River into Hong Kong." The Red Guard eventually became too liiuch even for Mao, who dealt with them by sending them off to the

great evolutionary step forward toward socialism

remote countryside to carry on their revolution there. Without schooling or a humane upbringing, this genera tion became an enduring social problem even for the

(Chinese style). In this he had some successes of sorts.

Communists.

For example, in 1958, millions of sparrows, which harmed agriculture, were killed. This was achieved by having people stand on their rooftops and make loud noises every time a sparrow landed until the sparrows

scope of a classic Marxist-Leninist revolution. It had more in common with the contemporary movements that

The goal of the Cultural Revolution went beyond the

shook the West in 1968-1969, harboring a much more profound hatred against authority, order, and morality

died of exhaustion.

than did classic communism.

The goal was to break down any remnants of traditional society and replace it with vulgarity and disrespect.

The Cultural Revolution did provoke a profound reaction, however. Much of today's economic and polit ical change in China can be seen as a reaction to its excesses, in the same way that the conservatism of the

1980s and 1990s has in some way been a reaction to the radicalism of the 1960s and 1970s in the West.

Such mass techniques proved less successful when it came to productivity. As a result, an estimated 30 million people died in the countryside in 1959. A revolution too far

The reforms undertaken by Deng Xiaoping, who was

himself perhaps the Cultural Revolution's most promi nent victim, were an attempt to consolidate Chinese Communism after the damage done by the excesses of the Cultural Revolution. China had gone too far too fast. Will the China of the future be a continuation of the

As the sixties progressed, another wave of parallels with the West developed. Mao initiated the "Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution," but the Chinese Communists went one revolution too far.

At a time when students were rebelling in Western

universities and the hippie revolution was coining into its own, a new revolutionary force was unleashed in China. The Red Guard, bands of youths enraged by propaganda

against their elders and teachers and waving copies of Mao's little red book, took to the streets.

Public ".struggle" sessions were held across China.

Everyone was forced to participate, and no one knew who would be called next to be "struggled against." Confessions were sought from the denounced, often after

long periods of.seclusion, deprivation of food and sleep, and other tortures. The usual victims of

these

kangaroo-court sessions were teachers, any kind of leaders in business,

religious, or anyone the Communists

did

not

one could ask if in the West the future will be rock n roll,

abortion, sexual revolution, and the homosexual agenda or a feel-good foray into the bourgeois paradise of ever growing economic prosperity and conservative family values?

The answer ultimately depends on one's view of the

dynamics of history. For increasing numbers, the opti mism of the 1980s is unsatisfactory. In China's case, the optimist's approach affirms; If one merely removes the

unpleasant human rights abuses and promotes some kind of democratic reform — everything will automatically fall into place.

If one believes that communism is part of an on going process of decay whose root is moral and reli gious, China's situation

The outside world obtained a glimpse of cannot be separated

the violence when trussed-up corpses,

wol-id tL neL i, '

many without heads, began floating down , 1 T** • world IS not to some the Pear! River into Hong Kong. kind of wonderful glob

like. The goal was to break down any remnants of traditional society and replace it with vulgarity and disrespect. The Red Guards became increasingly violent as the

country slipped into anarchy. They even attacked the Communist Party. All the while, Mao held off the army,

al order where every

one lives happily ever after. Rather, it is a step down the ladder to chaos and further moral rot. Let's face it: free

dom is only as good as one's use of it. Without conver sion, without the traditional elements that held China

Schools and universities were closed. China became

together for thousands of years, without the restraints of Western nations that have been forced to back up their positions, we cannot expect China to just slip out of

more i.solated from the West, which got only an indirect

communism, "^Abyssits ad; aby.wsiini invocat" — Deep

look at much of what was happening. As analyst Kenneth Leibeilhal noted: "The outside world obtained a glimpse

a moral decay is further decay.

saying that it must support the "left."

1980s and 1990s or of the 1960s? In much the same way,

calls to deep — states Psalm 41: the normal outcome of ■

CRUSADE

Prophets, Martyrs, Saints and Heroes

Sixteen Carmelite Martyrs of Compiegne by William Thomas Walsh ne of the most glorious chapters i in the history of Christendom—

the Sub-Prioress, Sister Saint Louis; Sister

fears of the corrupt sensualist Louis XV

Charlotte of the Resurrection, who had been

through the medium of his mistress, Mme.

j the story of the Carmelite nuns

a nun fifty-three years; Sister Euphrasie of the Immaculate Conception, a gay and

Mistress of Novices; Sister Julia Louise,

de Pompadour, notoriously the uncrowned queen of France. For several decades a con spiracy of secret societies, spread in a net work all over Europe, prepared patiently for a bloody attack on the Church. First it was necessary to get rid of the most watchful

I who deliberately offered up —

tjieir lives to end the Reign of Terror In France in 179'1—has had very lit tle publicity in our language, save in the

translation of a dramatic and fascinating tale, "Song from the Scaffold," by Gertrud Von Lefort; and that version, unfortunately (from a historical point of view) depends

impulsive woman by nature; Sister Henriette de Jesus Marie, grandniece of

Colbert, formerly Prioress and

now

poet and painter, widow of a captain of

and most incorruptible servants of the

royal grenadiers; Sister Therese of Saint

Church, the Jesuits. This was done on one

Ignatius, so given to prayer that she was

pretext or another in Portugal, Spain, and France; finally, the Masonic Prime

for a great deal of its effect upon the intro

called "the hidden treasure," yet a daughter

duction of a fictitious character, while it

of a Compiegne family who were on the revolutionary side and had one member on the revolutionary committee; Sister Jesus

omits a fantastic lay figure, Mulot de la Menardiere, who unwittingly and unwill ingly helped to stage the catastrophe, and

Crucified, who was then 74 years old; Sister

Ministers of those countries induced their

pliant monarchs to demand the complete suppression of the Society, which a weak

himself shared in it.

Marie Henriette de la Providence. 29 years

When the Constituent Assembly first met at Versailles in July, 1789, few could

old and still beautiful, who had three broth

and a misinformed Pope granted. Abbe Courouble became a secular priest; he was now (in 1789) the chaplain and chief advi

ers priests and five sisters nuns; Sister

sor of the Carmelites.

have imagined that its deliberations would

Therese of the Heart of Mary; a novice,

have so devastating an effect upon the little

Sister Constance, who was only 23 years

group of women who lived in the small town of Compiegne, in the district of Oise.

old, the youngest in the convent; three con

They followed the primitive Carmelite rule as restored by St. Teresa of Avila, praying, fasting, living on alms, offering up their labors and sacrifices for the good of those

du Saint Esprit, Sister Sainte Marthe, and

who would not take the trouble to pray for

faithful unto death. These sixteen were

themselves.

invisibly marked for a glorious destiny; the

was the destruction of the Church and the

universal Church now invokes them as beat

monarchy. NeaiJy all the parish priests at first were in favor of economic and political

The sisters

verses', domestics of the white veil, Sister Sister Sainte Francoise; and two toiiri^res^, Catherine and Therese Soiron, who took no

vows, performed menial tasks, and were

ified.

There were six other religious of the

The persecution begins As the Constitutional Assembly pro ceeded with its work, it became apparent that there was a revolutionary element who talked loudly of the reform, but opposed any genuine reform, while they made it more and more clear that their real objective

reforms. As time went on. they found that

Within the walls that sheltered the quiet

choir in the convent, some of whom died

they had been deceived by men ul

cloister and garden were women from all

and some of whom left before the crisis. Of

other objectives. The preamble to tlu

walks of life. The Prioress was Mother

these the most important and one of the most interesting was Sister Marie of the

constitution, for example, declared that The

Therese de Saint Augustine, of a family so poor that they were unable to pay for her dowry; when she was profes.sed in 1774, her patron. Mme. Louise de France, obtained

Incarnation, about whose birth, with the noble name of Villecourt, there had been some mystery, and whose cure from an

the necessary sum on the casseue person-

apparently hopeless paralysis had been

' I

law does not recognize either a religious vow, or any other engagement contrary to natural rights and the Constitution," On

November 21, 1789, legal notice was given to the Prioress of the Annunciation at

nelle of Marie Antoinette, then Dauphiness.

miraculously effected through the interces

Compiegne that no religious vows could be

In 1789 she was a splendid woman of 37.

sion of the Carmelite Mme. Acarie on the

taken; and Mother Therese was obliged to

with a spirit tempered finer than steel by mortification: a woman tranquil and pru dent, finn and charitable, the sort of pri

day of her beatification.

Their chaplain at this time was Abbe Courouble. In his youth this holy priest had

tell Sister Constance she could not be

received. The family of the novice, laboring people of the village, besieged the convent

oress that St.Teresa herself would have cho

been a Jesuit, but in 1764, the Society of

with appeals for her to return home. When

sen for this convent of the Annunciation.

Je.sus had been suppressed in France by enemies of the Church who played upon the

the Prioress bade her to make her own

Some of the other professed nuns were;

JULY-AUGUST. 1997

choice, the young woman declared that she

Prophets, Martyrs, Saints and Heroes would remain and share the fate of her sis

sition of the King. In 1792 the movement of

ters.

foreign armies against France played into

Meanwhile, the Assembly had ruled that

the hands of the extremists. The Jacobins

all ecclesiastic and religious goods must be

raised the mob of Paris against the Assembly. On August 10, the Swiss Guard

"placed at the disposal of the nation." In

was massacred at the Tuileries. Presently

February, 1790, some of the religious hous es were suppressed, and on the 13th of that month, the Assembly decreed the dissolu tion of religious orders. It was further decreed in March that each municipality must make an inventory of the goods of

the Reign of Terror began, aristocrats and clergy were butchered in the streets and in prisons, Robespierre, Danton, and Marat became

triumvirate

of blood, the

Convention declared France a republic; and the old France was gone forever. King

each convent or monastery, and question the inmates as to their willingness to remain in the cloister or to leave it. The revolutionary

Louis was placed on trial in November, and on January 21, 1793, was publicly mur

press was full of propaganda articles satu

dered.

rated with crocodile tears, lamenting the fate of '7e5 victimes cloitrees" (the clois

for what has happened more recently in

tered victims).

Russia. The thieves fell out, the Girondists

There followed a sort of dress rehearsal

were put to death by the more radical revo At the convent door Prisoners in Paris hearing (heir sentence

assassinated, Danton and his party were

On the 4th of April there appeared at the door of the convent in Compiegne a com

lutionaries, the Catholic uprising in La Vendee was brutally put down, Marat was

For several months the Carmelites fol

sent to the guillotine, and Robespierre

mittee of the municipality: the director of

lowed their rule without further molesta

became dictator of France, with eleven vic

the district, M. de Pronnay, an exBenedictine monk; M. Joly; Alexander Scellier, whose family had received many benefactions from this community of nuns; M. Bertrand, the secretary; and M. Poulain,

tion.

torious revolutionary armies at his beck, only to be struck down in his turn on July

the syndic. They made a second and more

degrees toward the crisis to which invisible hands seemed to be guiding it. Early in

The Carmelites, meanwhile, had lived

1791, Count Mirabeau, who had returned

almost unnoticed until the savage massacres

from Germany to "illuminize" the French secret society of which he was a member, advised King Louis to flee to Lyons. On the night of June 20, 1791, the unfortunate King and his lovely Queen attempted to

of September, 1792; and during that time of

ominous visit on August 5, this time with four soldiers on guard at the two doors of the community room and others at the doors

of the cloisters. They carefully examined the whole house, helped themselves to

papers and other articles, and summoned the nuns one by one to the community room for examination. One of them said:

"We bring you the happy news of your delivery. You can now return to the bosom

of your families, and enjoy at last the joy they have sought to deprive you of in shut ting you up in this sad retreat." Similar scenes went on in all the convents of

The Reign of Terror Meanwhile, the Revolution advanced by

reach the Austrian border, but were cap tured; and thereafter were completely in the

power of the revolutionaries, The Jacobins had been gradually taking over the army.

The sinister figure of the fanatical lawyer Robespierre began to emerge from the radi cal mobs. The clubs petitioned for the depo

27, 1794, at the climax of the Great Terror.

Again the sisters

revolutionary passion the Prioress was ordered by the Committee of Compiegne to vacate the premises of the Annunciation, with all her nuns, within forty-eight hours. Two days later, on the feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, 1792, the holy women took sad leave of their cells, their

community room, and the large and lovely garden, with its grottoes, hermitages, and little shrines where they had spent so many delightful .solitary hours in prayer, work.

France; but of the nineteen hundred

Carmelites in the country in 1790, only five or six took advantage of the offer extended by the apostles of liberty, fraternity, and equality, and left the cloister. Every member of the Annunciation, from the Prioress down to Sister Constance and the little

tourieres, declared her intention to live and

die in the happiness of their vocation; some of the answers were extremely spirited, and the revolutionary committee went away

crestfallen, with such "evidence" as they had obtained of the nature of the activities

of these strange women who .scorned to go back to the world when the chance was offered them.

CRUSADE

Prophets, Martyrs, Saints and Heroes and meditation. Through the kindness of

but indiscreet wish that when the frost

accomplices under the domination of

some friends, they found four houses,

destroyed the insects, it would also carry

Mulot. As evidence of this, his poem to his

almost adjoining, where they could practice

away the Jacobin extremists who had made bloody shambles of la belle France. He had

mon found in his house, evidently sent him

their rule after a fashion, and meet evenings in community at the house where the

wife was reproduced; with a copy of a ser

once believed them to be apostles of

by some friend who was a priest. In vain did

Prioress dwelt, while Abbe Courouble still said Mass for them, and heard their confes

"democracy," but he was disillusioned.

he cry that he was a married man, and not a

These verses were found by the revolution

priest; in vain did he beg its prosecutor, his

sions, in one of the chapels of Saint

ary committee on one of its visits to the

fellow townsman, to identify him. "I don't

Annunciation. Subsequently, they appeared

know you," said Scellier. A hymn to the Sacred Heart which had been sung in the

Antoine.

as one of the exhibits offered in evidence

Mulot'deJa Menardiere V', ;*''>• f

• • I

•

One of the nuns, Sister Euphrasie, had a cousin named Mulot de la Menardiere, a

resident of Compiegne, at this lime about fifty-two years old, a dilettante and poseur

against the nuns. In June, 1794, Mother Therese was obliged to go to Paris to trans

convent was represented as a royalist and a

act

of spiritual advice from two or three priests

some

business.

She

returned

Compiegne (after seeing carloads of priests and laymen slowly proceeding to the guillo tine) to find that her nuns had been placed

ion of his; a shallow and "broad-minded"

under arrest; the next day, without being given time to finish their laundry work or to eat their dinner, they were herded into rude

Catholic who repealed like a parrot the mis

carts filled with straw, like common crimi

who fancied himself a poet, although his

counter-revolutionary song. Letters purely were alleged to be political documents. Above all, the nuns were accused to be "fanatics" and to have taken part in "fanati cal assemblies." One of the nuns had the

erable theories of the Left Wing philoso

nals, and started on their journey to Paris,

presence of mind to ask Scellier if he could please define the word "fanaticism," and he replied: "By fanaticism I mean your prayers and foolish practices of your religion."

phers of the Encyclopedia; a uxorious hus band with no children, who wrote inane

their hands tied behind their backs, while women of the street, some of whom the

vently, one to another. "Now it is clear that

verses to his wife on every occasion, and sometimes sent copies of them to his cousin

Carmelites in their charity had fed during

we are to be put to death for the religion of

the recent hard winters, taunted them along

in the convent. His wife's name

was

the way, howling that they were "useless

Christ and for no other reason." They spent the rest of the night in prayer and in com

Madeleine, and in preparation for her feast

mouths" and ought to be put to death. Poor Mulot, the poetaster, was thrown

llaise. Before dawn, they were herded into

into one of the carts with some of the old

tumbrils which began a slow and melan-

wretched verses in no way Justify this opin

day, that of St. Mary Magdalen, he wrote some verses in which he set forth the pious

"Thanks be to God," said the nuns fer

posing a hymn to the tune of La Marsei

nuns. All the rest of the afternoon and all the

next night, they jogged along the road until the following afternoon they came in sight

of Paris. They were cast into one of the most wretched pri.sons, the Conciergerie, where they remained for several days with almost no food, until it pleased the revolutionary committee to put them on trial one hot night in July. To the joy of the Carmelites it was the

feast of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, July 16. A mockery of a trial

Their trial, of course, was a mockery of

justice. The prosecutor, a brother of Scellier, Mayor of Compiegne, was a man noted for his harshness, grossness, inso lence, and contempt for judiciary forms. He placed the nuns and Mulot on trial with sev enteen other persons of high and low degree, in what was called "an amalgam,"

and proceeded to prosecute them on a series of charges which now seemed too ridicu lous to have been seriously considered by

any jury of human beings. He accused the unfortunate poet, Mulot, of being an ex-

priest who was head of a counter-revolu

tionary and monarchist conspiracy to over

i JULY-AUGUST, 1997

throw the revolution. According to this indictment, the Carmelites were a ring of

p. M. S. H.

choly journey to the place of execution. Usually, a mob of hirelings and sycophants hooted and Jeered at the victims on their

J^or^otten l^rutfis

way to the guillotine, but on this occasion there was a strange silence in the streets,

broken only by the clear voices of the six teen nuns, singing as joyfully as brides on their way to death. They sang the Salve Regina, which is sung at the deathbed of a

nun; they

sang

the

Veni

Creator.

How Advantageous is the

Indissolubility of Marriage

The last sacrifice

When they reached the crowded square, they dismounted. Little Sister Constance,

Pope Pius XI

who, it was agreed, should go first, so that she would not be terrified too much by see ing the death of the others, now knelt at the

there reigns a calm sense of security. Moreover, the dig nity of both man and wife

feet of the Prioress, and begged for one last permission, the permission to die. This the

is maintained and mutual

Prioress gave, with her blessing, and the

aid is most satisfactorily

young novice, singing bravely, walked

assured, while through the

firmly up the steps to where the bloody knife was hovering above the block. Thus

indissoluble bond, always enduring, the spouses are warned continuously that

after renewing their vows and receiving the

same permission, one by one the nuns went

not for the sake of perish

to their rendezvous; thus the song dimin ished little by little as one head after anoth er was struck off, until finally Mother

able things nor that they

Therese of Saint Augustine, having seen all

Indeed, how many and how important are the benefits which

may serve their passions, but that they may procure one for the other

her children faithful until death, like the

flow from the indissolubility of

mother of the Maccabees, walked all alone

matrimony cannot escape anyone

to the appointed place.

who gives even a brief considera tion either to the good of the mar ried parties and the offspring or to

ship, to be dissolved only by

the welfare of human society. First

extend over a period of many

of all, both husband and wife pos sess a positive guarantee of the endurance of this stability which

the grave and long enduring bur

Thus

died

the

Carmelites

Compiegne. Their death had been a vol untary prayer for the return of peace to France. And this prayer was answered. Robespierre perished at the hands of his

high and lasting good have they entered into the nuptial partner death. In the training and educa tion of children, which must

years, it plays a great part, since dens of this office are best borne

that generous yielding of their per

by the united efforts of the par

sons and the intimate fellowship

ents. Nor do lesser benefits accrue

fellow revolutionaries within a week;

of their hearts by their nature strongly require, since true love

to human society as a whole. For experience has taught that unas

Scellier and his fellow judge, the infa

never falls away. Besides, a strong

sailable stability in matrimony is a

mous Fouquier-Tinville, went in their

bulwark is set up in defense of a

fruitful source of virtuous life and

turn to the guillotine, not singing, but whimpering like cowards; and then a weary silence descended upon France,

loyal chastity against incitements to infidelity, should any be

of habits of integrity. When this

encountered either from within or

ness and well being of the nation is safely guarded; what the fami

and the Bloody Terror was ended.

â&#x2013;

Reprinted with permission from Columbia magazine

from without; any anxious fear

order of things prevails, the happi

lest in adversity or old age the

lies and individuals are, so also is

other spouse would prove unfaith

the State, for a body is determined

ful is precluded and in its place

by its parts.

â&#x2013;

Notes:

1. Sisters who renounced the world and entered reli

Text: Encyclical CastI Connubil, December 31,1930. Picture above:Tomb effigies of a Spanish noble coupleâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;Monastery of Santo TomSs, Avila, sixteenth century.

gious life as adults. 2. Sisters who attend the revolving box through which the cloister receives parcels.

CRUSADE

Commentary

O aint Angela Merici wisely observed, "disorder in the world is the result of disorder in

Divorce

the family." Over the last genera tion, the disorder in American

family life has grown exponen

and

tially. In 1940, there was one divorce for every six marriages;

by 1991, half of the marriages in the U.S. end in divorce. Liberated from the matrimonial

Romanticism

ties that bind, families are cast

adrift. Amid their wreckage we

by Plinio Correa de Oliveira

find our children. A million divorces affect children each

year. One in ten children will suf fer three such marital dissolu tions. "Perfect married life means

the spiritual dedication of the parents for the benefit of their children," the Angelic Doctor

Saint Thomas Aquinas counsels. But social scientist Travis Hirschi

reports that "the likelihood that

the biological parents of a partic ular child will marry and stay

together throughout the period of

On analyzing many of the works that

child rearing is lower today than

can conclude that overall they deserve

at any time in the past." It is in

praise for their seriousness, clarity, and bal

his or her life again? Is it just to deprive spouses of the right to rebuild their happi

anced reasoning.

ness?"

have been written against divorce, we

soon he starts all over again with the same point: "So, the unhappy spouse cannot begin

the wisdom of the past that we

However, nearly all use arguments that

All of us who have fought against di

find the answers for today and

are somewhat academic. The arguments they proffer are fine for persuading well-

know how frequent this attitude is.

the hope for tomorrow. That is

intentioned intellectuals, but as a general rule they are entirely ineffective for the vast majority who make up public opinion,

why we are pleased to offer our

clearest arguments, the most penetrating

arguments, simply roll off this attitude like water off a duck's back! For, the divorce

readers the following adaptation

which ranges between indissolubility and

advocates merely retreat into themselves when exposed to the hammer of logic. And

of an article originally published

divorce and strongly leans towards the latter. So, one who is pro-divorce may be

when the firing stops they re-emerge from their lairs unchanged. Therefore, an effective

in the Brazilian Catholic journal Catolicismo in October 1951. It

comes with our heartfelt prayers for their families.

bored

anti-divorce campaign must take this fact

silence by listening to conclusive arguments

into consideration if it wants to gain ground. We must realize that we have not yet fully explored the way to approach or penetrate mentalities like this. It is essential to identify the cause of this state of mind so we may

reduced to an embarrassed and

proven by facts and figures (which superfi cial souls always like) on how divorce is harmful to the family and the country.

He might even remain silent for a while, muttering something under his breath. But

JULY-AUGUST, 1997

find the argumentation that will meet it,

Commentary That is why I want to speak about roman ticism.

History books tell us this school of

pain and she begins to cry, any abrasion of her soul makes her suffer. Simple as a child,

and very sad, she searches far and wide throughout her life for that which she will

she carries in her heart an immense desire to

never find. And what is it that she seeks? It

thought has died, which is true if we are

dedicate herself to someone and to be want

is the happiness of a great love, as she

talking about the Romantic Movement in lit erature and art. But is it equally true if we are talking about life in general? Do the

ed by someone. She needs to be protected

understands love, according to her most

because of her complete fragility, a fragility

"noble" and tormenting aspirations. She car

that is reflected in the meekness of her gaze,

ries all this in her heart like a secret and

ways of thinking and feeling that romanti

in the sweet inflections of her voice, in the

unending flow of blood.

cism created really have no bearing on the

refinement of her features, in the delicacy of

The reader will perhaps smile. Doesn't

mental and emotional habits of our contem

her complexion. The other example would be the heroine

all this seem outdated? Could anyone who

poraries? Regarding marriage in particular, is it true that the people's attitudes today are free from romantic influence? And

sees a young man or a young woman pass

ing by in a cheerfully colored car, in this age of levity, recreation, and fitness, doubt that we are light-years away from

what relationship exists between this influence and the problem of divorce?

romanticism? The young man is practi cal, strong, joyful, seems well set in

First, let us recall some of the kinds of "heroes" and "heroines" of romanti

life, and is full of the desire to succeed.

cism.

The young woman is also practical,

There is the "sensitive" type of hero.

independent, enterprising, and often

He can be imagined as a youth (there is

avid for action. She is happy with life

nothing less romantic than fifty years of

and wants to live it to the full. So what

age) with fine, clean features. His large

has she in common with the romantic

melancholic eyes are lost in the empty

heroine that moved our grandmothers

horizon. His hair and clothes are

to tears?

We agree that modem utilitarianism

disheveled. His chest heaves with burn

ing aspirations, undefined, torturing, seeking the complete happiness of true

has created a climate of tolerance for

marriages that are inspired by cynically financial motives. Nor do we deny that

love.

But no one understands him. In the

calculations based on careers and social

deep recesses of his soul are awesome

standing influence marriages nowadays

indescribable

much more than before. But if the

desires that need, seek, and beg to be

horizons.

There

are

numerous examples of such marriages

understood by a "sister soul." There must exist in the vastness of this world

today lead us to conclude that this is the general rule, we would be greatly mis

a being created to understand him. He

taken.

is searching for her, for only in finding

"Sentiment" remains very influential

her will he have happiness... And so he wanders sadly through life until he

despite all the utilitarianism. And if we analyze this sentiment we will see that

it is simply a very superficial up-dating

meets her.

Then there is the romantic hero of ^ the "terrible" type. He is morally identi cal to the previous type, though somewhat different in appearance. He exudes manli-

nes.s, has an athletic physique, and a rather

In our democratic age, distinguished

Any pain and she begins to cry, any abrasion of ber soul

dark attractiveness, like a character from

makes ber suffer.

one of Wagner's operas. He commands a great fortune, high social status, immense influence, everything, in short, that life can offer... But (and here is the "romance" of the

ment, a weight as heavy and as cold as a

ence! But of course, deep in her heart is a hidden trembling, a profound sorrow, a great and hidden pain. It is the bitteniess of a past disillusionment, the anxious and hopeless search for someone who truly understands

the earth a love that matches his heart's

Symmetrical to this is the figure of the

guy, and the damsel is the "glamour girl." These popular guys and glamour girls 'i mechanization of modem life forces them to

of the "grandiose" type. A dazzling beauty with the stature and bearing of a queen. She is the natural center of attention, esteem, and

desires.

and exceptional characters are no longer acceptable. Today's "hero" is the popular

exactly the same as so many others

scenario) there is a deep wound in his heart: a burning love, a tremendous disappoint tombstone, that will never find on the face of

of the old romantic themes.

dedication. A dominating and fatal pres

be less outstanding than the "heroes" of yesteryeim and with fewer of those endless wanderings of the mind. All this somewhat restricts the effusions

of imagination and sentimentality. But these restrictions notwithstanding, when it comes to matters of love it is always the same sug

ary sentimentalism. the same vague desires. It is the same misunderstandings, the same

"heroine." It would not be difficult to find a

her,

search for affinities, the same crises, the

couple of typical examples. The first is the "delicate" type. She is charming, delicate of soul and body. Any

At her feet, poets, dukes, millionaires uselessly groan and plead. She is uninterest

same desires for affectionate and unending

ed. With a gaze that is haughty, yet profound

iousness of all these "happinesses."

happiness, and the same and chronic precar-

CRUSADE

Commentary To prove this we don't need a psycho logical study of the second-rate literary and film fare that abounds today and that truly forms the spirit of the masses. I think it suf ficient that the reader have just a little bit of common sense to see how just our observa tions are. In fact, the great majority of mar

do not understand how totally unattain able their desires were, and purely and

simply assume that they made a mistake. They thus conclude that they can yet find in someone the happiness that this mar riage did not give. Accustomed to living only and exclusively for their own happi

riages today that result from "falling in

ness, accustomed to seeing happiness

love" are based on ideas thoroughly imbued

exclusively as the gratification of senti mental diversions, such persons will

with romantic sentimentalism.

marriages based on mercenary self-interest

judge their life incurably ruined â&#x20AC;&#x201D; unless, of course, they are able to satisfy

and others on affection. And those that are

these illusions in another way.

And this is the problem. We have some

based on affection are generally influenced

Moreover, they will judge equally

by romanticism. This being so, the stability

ruined the lives of all the many other peo

of a marriage will depend in large measure on how long self-interest or romanticism will enable the spouses to endure one another.

divorce will become as absolutely neces

There is no reason to dwell on self-inter

ple who fell into the same "mistake." So sary as the air we breathe. What impression will a serious argu

ticism.

mentation against divorce, reinforced by the cold language of statistics, possibly have on a person in this state of mind?

Above all, we need to emphasize that romanticism is essentially frivolous. It

but not to thinking, this person detests

est; I think it is clear enough. Let us con centrate instead on the influence of roman

Accustomed to mental wanderings,

brutally satisfy his instincts. And nothing is built on egoism... especially the family.

eagerly presupposes the greatest virtues in

any form of argumentation, above all when

the "heroine" or the "hero." But in the final

it is serious. The mere language of numbers

analysis these virtues count for very little in

seems ridiculous to such a person. And to

the

talk to this person of the sociology of mar

tremendous anti-romantic offensive. It is

Sentimentalism is generally very forgiving of real moral defects, ingratitudes, injus

riage and love will seem to him about as shocking as speaking of the most technical

ence between Christian love (charity) and

tices, and even outright betrayals. But it

aspects of botany to a poet who is entertain

the romantic sentimentalism still in fashion.

does not forgive trivialitie.s! So for example (and let's take our exam

ing himself by admiring the beauty of a

It is necessary to explain that Christian love

survival

mutual

affection.

ples from the flesh and blood of real life), it will be a ridiculous way of snoring at night, it will be bad breath, or it will be any other small human misery that can kill romantic sentiments without any right of

appeal. Romantic sentiments which, it must be remembered, have turned a blind

eye to the most grave reasons for com plaint.

is something imbued with the supernatural,

Thus one can see that those who uphold the Church's traditional teachings concern-

full of common sense and balance; pro

Today's "hero" is the popu lar guy, and the "damsel" is the glamour girl.

fles. And there is no one who does not have

ing the indissolubility of marriage would

some that are rather difficult to bear.

strike the wrong target by trying to use argumentation based on morality or on the

monplace to talk about the disillusionments

that come after the honeymoon. "After this period," someone once told me, "my wife didn't deceive me, but filled me with disil lusionment."

Romanticism by its very essence and its

very definition is made of illusions, of

necessary to explain the fundamental differ

flower.

Now,daily life is a fabric woven of tri

Because of this it has already become com

It is necessary, therefore, to begin a

common good with people who are only interested in their own individual happiness in a world of dreams and fantasy. And here we approach the end. In the final analysis, romanticism is

sheer egoism. The romantic does not seek anything but

foundly pious, authentic and generous. It triumphs over all wild wanderings of the imagination and the rebellious senses, and over the sensual, egotistical love of unre

strained passions. It is false to imagine that true Christian

spouses are the heroes of a romance who

by a happy coincidence build an authentic marriage, according to Canon Law, as a preliminary step to the mere satisfaction of their passions. As long as sentimentalisl-romai mcepts influence the outlook of engageu cou ples, every marriage will be precarious, because it will be built on the soft, shifting, volcanic ground of human egoism. It is commonly said that the family is the

basis of society. But, as Saint Augustine teaches, there are two societies: the City of

whims, of uncontrolled passions, and hypo

his own happiness. He can only think of

the Devil is built on the love of self to the

thetical affections for people who could exist only in dream worlds. Consequently,

love in the sense that the other is an in.stru-

ment for his happiness. He desires this emo

exclusion of God; the City of God is built on the love of God and neighbor to the

in a short time the feelings that were the

tional happiness so much that if free rein is

exclusion of self,

only psychological basis of marital stability begin to dissolve. Naturally, persons in this state do not go to the bottom of things. They

given to his .sentiments, they will jump all barriers of morality, will ignore all consid

and egoism are not the foundations of the

erations of the common good, and he will

City of God.

JULY-AUGUST. 1997

Marriages based on romantic sentiments â&#x2013;

Interview

Whatdo the saints know about eco Interview with Jean-Frangois Orsini

nomics? A great deal, according to the Catholic economist and

financial consultant Jean-Frangois Orsini. Business, government, and economics are

Church over the centuries provided answers

part of human existence, and all aspects of

to many of man's problems, not only the

our earthly life tie in with our human nature and eternal destiny, of which the saints know a great deal. Did you know that Saint Thomas

moral ones, but the day-to-day problems of economic life.

Crusade'. You must get some inter

Aquinas wrote about taxation? About infla

esting reactions when speaking

tion? About city planning? Or that Saint

about saints in the workplace. Do

Augustine dealt with the role of government in society? Not the heavenly society, but the society right here on earth, which, as the Our

you encounter the idea that sancti

ty is incompatible with money matters, that money inevitably

Father states, should be a reflection of the

makes one dishonest or avari

heavenly society â&#x20AC;&#x201D; "Thy will be done on

cious?

earth as it is in heaven."

Perhaps we are all falling short of their words, but what to do about it?

A first step is to dig out what the great saints and doctors of the Church have to say.

Jean-Frangois Orsini: Yes, you do get to see some surprised looks. It surprises me,

however, how so many Catholics sit through the Gospel and Epistle on Sunday, listening

Then we must see how this can be applied to

to descriptions or admonishments where the

our current situation.

This is what is done in the Saint

financial side of life comes in. Saint Peter was a small business owner

Antoninus Institute in Washington, D.C., which promotes Catholic views in manage

who didn't need a degree from Harvard

of dealing with suppliers and customers, had

Business School to be as effective as he

ethical and charitable standards in all his

ment and economics, Jean-Francois Orsini,

seemed to be. Having a fishing boat in

financial dealings.

a former Wall Street broker and investment

those days was much more than nowadays. In any case, he would have had to buy and sell, hire and fire, advertise his goods in the marketplace.

manager, is it's president. A consultant to a

wide range of business organizations and corporations, he holds degrees from the Ecole Superieure de Commerce in Paris and earned masters and doctoral degrees from

the Wharton School in Philadelphia, He is an active Third Order Dominican and a

Knight of the Holy Sepulcher. The great dis covery in his life was how the Catholic

Saint Joseph likewise had a trade and, if you like, a business enteiprise to support himself, and later the Holy Family. And we

can be certain that he who taught Our Lord the basics of the carpenter business, which was not only the craft of carpentry but also

It's a curious thing, but many people seem to think that anyone in business is in it

exclusively for the money. They are wrong. Natural law tells us that man needs to

work, that he has an obligation to work. Businesses are social arrangements with a practical narrow strategic plan for providing products and services at a price. But they are first and foremost tools to satisfy the need of its employees to work. There is a need to

CRUSADE

achieve something individually, while being part of a broader body of people.

Crusade'. People rarely stop

At the social level, Peter Drucker, an

to think about the relation*

astute observer of business, possibly the greatest adviser to business management,

ship between virtue and business. Why is that?

and a Catholic, stated that "profit is not a goal, it is a constraint." Indeed businesses

Jean-Francois Orsini: To a

can do many things, including building

great extent this can be attributed

bridges or developing new technologies; but, they can do it only if the way they are

200 years ago. It was Karl Marx

going about it is profitable. Otherwise they have to cease to operate. Just as a car needs fuel to operate, a business needs profit to

and Friedrich Engels who coined the expression "capitalism" and not the theorists of the Age of

to the rationalistic philosophers of

operate. But a car does not run just for the

Enlightenment. Indeed capitalism

purpose of having fuel, nor does a business run Just to make a profit. Other factors, human factors, come into play.

is not a monolithic theory; there

So when we speak of work, business,

are no centers of capitalist ortho doxy as there were for socialism. There are many writers but they were, and are, all

and money, there is a lot more to the picture

organizationally independent from each

than Just profit motive. This is why when

other,

materialists — those who assume that

Of course, capitalism is not a dogma of

money or material goods are the exclusive

the Church. There is no reason to owe it any allegiance beyond the inherent elements of

motivators of human behavior — look at

pure economics or business operations, they are missing a great deal of the picture. By choosing to ignore deeper aspects of the

truth it contains. Besides its sound elements

there are certain en'ors that need to be cor

Saint Tnoma^quinas Protestant application of the understanding of "faith without works." To many Protestants, applying the dictates of

Christian morality is not as important as declaring oneself Christian. There is no imperative need to define in detail the rules of behavior to ascertain that our woi'

be truly Christian. The whole thrust of The Wealth of

picture for themselves and end up with dis

theoretician of capitalism. An Inquiry into

Nations shows that throughout the ages — Smith was also an historian — when gov ernment intervened in fixing the prices of

aster.

the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations is the major work in which

itive for the general population. The conclu

human .soul, they sometimes create a false

rected.

For many, Adam Smith is the leading

"When we speak of work, business, and money, there is a lot more to the picture than just profit motive." JULY-AUGUST. 1997

the economy, the results were less than pos

he expounds his economic theories. Interestingly, Smith wrote another

sion is that whatever good intentions gov ernments have in fixing the price of goods,

work:

it is better to let the mechanisms of the mar

The

Theory

of Moral

Sentiments. He was most interested

ketplace establish a reasonable price as if by

and conscious of the importance of morality and the virtues, but he just

an "invisible hand,"

did not think they applied to eco nomics. This was probably his

The notion here is that in free markets, competition is the element which will work at driving a price of an item down if its seli-

Interview

entrepreneurs, because mathematically, based on self-interest, it is irrational to be an entrepreneur.

It is a forgone conclusion that without new products and services the economy Our Lord Jesus Christ presides over Peter's business

would grind to a halt. The spirit of true entrepreneurship must be explained from a

er makes too much of a profit with it. Big mark-up items draw the most competition because new companies are entering the field with an interest in the increased profit

independently of the morality of the manu

different angle that relies on a different

facturer or trader. By simply seeking their

model and understanding of human quali ties, which can only be viewed from the angle of the most sophisticated teacher of human qualities: the doctrines of the

own self-interest, the producers will make the system work automatically. There are

margin, but their involvement in this market

numerous cases where this is not so. Take

by itself makes for more sellers of the prod uct and necessarily a lowering of its price when, under market pressure, each of the companies tries to regain a selling edge.

Russia, for example, where the spiritual paralysis of atheism has created enormous

Competition works not only in relation to the prices of goods — to lower them — but also to their qualities — to improve

lethargy and sullen discontent. Need and self-interest have not automatically brought

Catholic Church, especially as they are explained in the writings of Saint Thomas Aquinas. Indeed there is a chasm between those

who work in large organizations "by the

about a free market. The second flaw in Smith's view of the

book," who sometimes share a bureaucratic

economy and especially of creation of new

— even somewhat socialistic — view of the

them. If the market demands some better

business organizations is his lack of recog

world, even the economic world, and those

features for a product, the necessity to sat

nition of the entrepreneurial spirit. Free-

isfy the market will lead .some businesses to work hard at finding ways to offer that fea

market and competition work only for products whose identities are understood

who are much more forward-thinking, who possess a very dynamic view of the econo

ture or improved quality at an acceptable

and

price. Competition towards better quality is

believed to be so advanta

the argument which is opposed to the argu

geous for the seller that

well

whose price is known and

ment for the need of government interven

new producers will step in

tion and regulations. Governments want to

and contribute to satisfy the need for these prod

make rules about a product for moral rea

Competition towards better quality is the argument against the need for government intervention and regulations.

sons, make its quality and price more just. But the mechanisms of regulations are so

ucts.

slow, so inadequate, so bureaucratic, so

longer in the slow chang ing times of Adam Smith. Tliese days any visitor to our large stores can witness the

imprecise, that the mechanism of free-com petition will have corrected the problem before the regulations make real differ ences, and the mechanisms will do it more effectively. Free markets, which allow competition,

my and are often very impatient with the

appreciated,

However, we are no

enormous explosion in new products. After ten years,90% of products disappear. There is a constant need to bring out totally new products. Only real entrepreneurs can bring

first group. Some entrepreneurs are very leftist in their ideologies due to the ' • '

for lifestyles that are contrary to tradi, values. But many entrepreneurs are sery

conservative and can be the best supporters

are a better solution to many economic problems. Free markets are powerful tools that help to manufacture products that are in demand or to lower prices and improve qualities of products better than govern

than adventurous, are relying on analytical

of traditional values. They arc also the peo ple who believe that only "social conserva tives" who have a solid understanding of the human soul and of the entrepreneurial

and tested tools — just as accountants do

spirit from a traditional, especially

— and are not good at making the big quan

Catholic, understanding of man. can be

ment intervention could do.

tum jump necessary for getting into totally

out new products. Large companies, whose

marketing skills are more organizational

Furthermore. 90% of new enterpri.ses

truly "economic conservatives." They believe that so called pure economic con servatives. who frown on the ideological

First, Smith maintained that free market

fail after 5 years. If the spirit of self-interest were the only spirit which makes the econ

the ones who are out of step and whose

competition is a mechanism which works

omy function, there would be no genuine

position is inconsistent.

However, free markets do not solve

everything. I find two flaws in Adam

Smith's economic philosophy.

different lines of products.

radicalism of the social conservatives, are

■

CRUSADE

Crusade

Packed APPI Conference Counters

Homosexual Agenda by Preston Noell

Forum at Georgetown University draws protests, Rallies pro-family supporters

Political correctness is nowhere more apparent than in the debate over homosexuality. Whether it be regarding its cause or caus es, the scientific findings (or lack thereof) in its so-called genetic determination, the question of homosexual "rights," the prevention and treatment of AlDs, or other attendant issues, there exists a for

midable bias toward the homosexual agenda. Although the pro-homosexuality viewpoint may be entrenched in the mainstream media and academia, numerous weighty voices

have nevertheless challenged the accuracy, the media hysteria, and the numerous shibboleths of the pro-homosexuality sloganeers. A number of these challenges from across the spectrum recently came together at an in-depth, three-day conference on "Homosexuality and American Public Life" sponsored by the American Public Philosophy Institute (APPI). Assembling at the Georgetown Conference Center in Washington, D.C., from June 19-21, the 35 conference speakers— many of them professors—addressed some 450 attendees on topics such as "The Causes of Homosexuality and Some Notes on Prevention," "Homosexuality as a Developmental Disorder,"

"Public Misperceptions About Homosexuality." A summary of key

points that he addressed in his talk includes the following: "(I) All the research that has been done on homosexuality has been selectively trumpeted through the press in carefully crafted form in order to shape public opinion—hence public policy—in predictable ways. The research itself means almost nothing. "(2)The research projects that would truly mean something are scarcely being done because they would all explicitly or tacitly lead to but one end highly undesirable to activists: a method or methods

for preventing homosexuality or changing it with ever-increasing efficacy; and to one conclusion: homosexuality per se is not inher ited.

"(3) Most of the research has been hastily and often sloppily done—but this point is a distraction. Even were it superb, the find ings would still mean almost nothing. "(4) To whatever extent this research has been good enough to generate valid conclusions at all, these conclusions are precisely

the opposite of what is claimed in the press."* Misinformation abounds that homo.sexuality is caused by a gene. Hence the homosexual activists' incantation: "We're homo

"Judaism and Homosexuality," "Contemporary Natural Law Theory and Homosexuality," "Homosexuality and the Common

sexual. We can't do anything about it, so you have to accept us." If

Good," "Homosexuality and the Constitution," "Homosexuality

this were true, however, there should be no former homosexuals.

and Churches, Schools, Libraries," "Homosexuality and the News

Yet preci.sely the opposite is true. In fact, there are numerous people and groups that help homosexuals overcome their affliction.

Media," "A Sound AIDS/HIV Policy," "Employment and Housing Discrimination," "Military Service," and "Developing a Sound and Effective

Rhetoric on Homosexuality." Despite the scholarly presentation and

.scope of most of the talks, the conference drew a raucous protest by homosexual-

rights activists outside the conference

center. A highly visible security detail maintained order inside while campus police kept the peace outside. One of the most important talks dealt with the causes of homosexuality and

therapies to help cure it. That science has not yet determined the causes of homo sexuality became crystal clear. Dr. Jeffrey B. Satinover spoke on

JULY-AUGUST, 1997

American Public Philosophy Institute's conference drew an overflow crowd. Heightened secu rity measures were Implemented to prevent disruptions by homosexual agitators.

Crusade

The existence of people who have overcome homosexuality entirely is a great problem for those

who promote the homosexual agenda so because this is a behavior that has proved not to be a path toward Left: Bishop Fabian

happiness and the good life and something that upholds the moral

Bfuskewitz delivers

order which benefits us all; but in fact it strikes at the heart of the

the keynote address. Below right: Robert Knight of the Family

moral order by offering a counterfeit.... "Homosexual activists have recorded stunning successes over the

Research Council details the homosex ual movement's

last few years.,.. They have forced the national debate on the meaning of marriage; they have challenged the military ban on homo,sexuality; they've removed sodomy laws in more than half the states; they've

encroachments.

reconfigured the psychoanalytic profession's understanding of homosexuality; they've intro duced millions of schoolchildren

to homosexuality via AIDS trnd sex-education; tliey have secured gay-rights laws in eleven states and more than 100 cities and

counties: they have captured many

unions luid professional organiza tions, including the 2,000,000 member National Educational

A.ssociation. They have held highly publicized celebra tions such as the Gay

Olympics, various gay-pride

celebrations.... They have helped undemiine military morale by pushing for a

diminution of the concept of duly and honor and fidelity."

Two former homosexuals addressed the conference about their

work in helping others escape honiosexuality. Anthony Falzarano of Transformation Ex-Gay Ministries and Jane Boyer of Amazing Grace Ministries told of their former homosexual lives and how with God's help they were able to turn around. Falzarano is now married and the father of two children. The existence of

The Catholic Church's

teaching regarding homosexuality

was brilliantly presented by the Most Reverend Fabian W. Binskewitz, Bishop of

people who have overcome homosexuality entirely is a great prob

Lincoln, Nebraska, who delivered the conference's keynote

lem for those who promote the homosexual agenda, for it lays bare the falsity of their "I'm gay, you have to accept me," slogans. Roben K. Knight, of the Family Research Council, spoke on "Homosexual Advocacy and Opposition Groups." He said "The cultural struggle we face today is no longer whether JudeoChristian morality will prevail as the dominant world view of America. It's whether it will be permitted to exist at all if the gay rights movement succeeds in all its goals.... If you look at what gay-rights activists are asking for, it's court-, corporate- and gov

address. After quoting from The Caiechism of the Catholic Church and various statements of the Sacred Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith on homosexuality. Bishop Bruskewitz dealt with the

issue of just and unjust discrimination against homosexuals. He gave as an example of just discrimination the refusal to hire a pedophile to run a day-care center. "Christians have not only the right, but a duty to avoid placing people in an occasion of sin.'' discrimination, for example, to homosexual couples is. in my \ a very just and rightful form of discrimination which Christians not

sally condemned for thousands of years. They are certainly con

only can, but should, exercise, refusing, for instance, to rent apart ments or rooms to persons who are obviously in an intrinsically

demned by the Bible in unequivocal terms. They are condemned in

disordered arrangement in regard to their sexual lives."

ernment-mandated acceptance of behaviors that have been univer

Islam. Every major religion has said,'This is bad for people.' That is why we discourage it, not because we hate homosexuals. We do

â&#x2013;

Space limitations do not permit us to delve more completely into this important conference. Those who wish to obtain

audio cassettes of the conference may contact Chesapeake AiidioA^ideo Communications, Inc., 6330 Howard Lane, Elkridge, MD 21227 tel.:(410)796-0040 or contact them by e-mail at info@cavc.com.

History

Basic Hist^y Course Father worketh until now; and I work,"

(John 5:17), He asserted that He had partic

ipated "in the eternal act which brought the universe into being and which maintains it in that being." He also asserted "His consubstantial equality with the Father in

Weste

nature and power."-

Although the world in the last hundred years has tried to cover this truth with con fusion, the embittered Pharisees understood

the opening salvo quite well. Saint John

CHAPTER

VIII

tells us that they sought to kill Him because

He made Himself equal to God.

Jesus Christ: God, Savior, and ECing The Center of History Part III X tr E

Fall and

Resurrection

IMany in

Israel

Peter's confession outside

Caesarea Philippi Because of the growing hostility against Our Lord, it was becoming increasingly

dangerous for Him to stay in one place any length of time. Furthermore, He wanted to

spend what little time he had left on earth instructing the future leaders of His Church. With Judea definitely closed against Him and His own countryside rejecting Him, Jesus passed through the Galilean towns like a fugitive and retired to the half-pagan land of the tetrarch Philip. One day, while approaching the latter's

capital, Caesarea Philippi, the holy travelers paused to rest. After praying for a time as He usually did before every important act. by

ing to the point of taking His life.

Wells

Curing the paralytic of 38 years

quer His Kingdom, a spiritu

They mentioned several prophets, but sadly

during a trip to Jerusalem for an unnamed

no mention was made of His Messiaship nor His divinity. "But who do you say that I am?" Christ asked, looking at the Twelve.

festival. At a pool, called Bethsaida in Hebrew, Jesus took pity on a paralytic who

for Peter openly declared, "Thou art Christ,

All these various elements converged hrist came on earth to con

He asked the Apostles. "Who do men say that the Son of Man is?" (Matt. 16:13).

Jeremias

At last Our Lord found Himself understood,

the Son of the living God." When Peter

al kingdom of souls. On earth, however, when we pray for this spiritual domain, we seek the growth of those righteous forces

had lain there for 38 years seeking help. He cured his infirmity by saying, "Take up thy

that put down evil and win souls for God.

tersely put it, "it was the Sabbath that day"(5:8,9). The Pharisees, aghast that their

the holy and sublime truth that Jesus, the

cherished rules had once again been violat ed, challenged the man for breaking the

the truth by saying that it came fron,

Even before His reign was established, ene mies arose and attempted to overthrow it, thus indicating that the nature of Our Lord's Kingdom requires a constant struggle against wickedness.'

bed and walk." However, as Saint John so

Sabbath. He answered in affect, "He who

changed Our Lord's "Son of Man" into the "Son of God," he unequivocally revealed Messias, is God. Our Lord then reaft

Father in Heaven, and in so doing He made it absolutely infallible. In

this

beautiful

correspondence

down. Our Lord began to travel more and

has the power to heal my infirmity has authority to set aside your interpretation of the Law." Incredibly, they ignored the great

ration declares who Jesus is, and Jesus in

more to Jerusalem. The Great Drama was

miracle just performed, located Our Lord,

turn by His own authority declares who

shifting its focus from the peaceful moun tainsides and charming lakeshore to a city teeming with intrigue and suspicion. The

and began to persecute Him.

Peter is: "Thou art Peter and upon this rock I will build my Church." Historians have

As the Galilean mission was winding

grand nobility of His character can easily be recognized in these trips. He had every

Jesus did not lower Himself to discuss

between the two, Peter through divine inspi

the charges with these hypocrites, but seized the opportunity to declare clearly and

always enjoyed relating the great pro

solemnly the deep truths of Who He is, of

through the ages of mankind, but few, if any, would equal this one, for Saint Peter

nouncements that have resounded down

intention of revealing those tnjlhs for

what His work consists, and the nature of

which He had come; the Pharisees had

His relationship with His Father. Early in

was promised the primacy of jurisdiction

every intention of obstructing His teach

the confrontation when He stated, "My

over the Church that God was to establish.

JULY-AUGUST, 1997

â&#x2013; 25

Moreover, He went on to say that His Church, built on that indestructible rock,

world, courage and the knowledge of Who it was that died for mankind.

should remain standing, in spite of all the powers of hell conspiring against Her.

Confrontation in Jerusalem

As if that day outside the town of

Caesarea Philippi were not sufficiently

The great disclosures of Caesarea

eventful, Jesus disclosed for the first time the terrible Passion He must suffer. At first. He did not describe His torments in detail,

Philippi and the Transfiguration mark the culminating point in the revelation of Our

no hint of the scourging nor the Cross. But

Peter and the Apostles had been promised the necessary power to continue the work and teaching of Jesus. For some time now

Lord. The Church had been founded and

what He did tell is terrifying enough, an organized persecution by the leaders of a nation resulting in His death. However, in order to add hope and courage to these dreadful prospects. He quickly added,"and the third day He will rise again." Our Lord will always join His triumph in these pre

He had been moving cautiously throughout the countryside. When the Feast of Tabernacles Our Lord Jesus Christ constitutes St.Peter head of His Church on earth.

dictions to that of the Passion.

The Transfiguration Approximately a week later, Jesus took Peter, the Prince of the Apostles, and the sons of Zebedee, James and John, and led them to the top of a high mountain. While Our Lord

began to pray to His heavenly Father, the three Apostles fell asleep, as they were to do at Gethsemani a few months later. However,

arrived.

returned

Jerusalem to resume the bitter conflict

where He strongly and emphatically affirmed His divine sonship and messianic

garments as pure glistening white. Two majestic figures, Moses and Elias,

mission.

appeared from the dazzling background where they discussed with Our Lord His

presence. Conspicuous by His absence. He nevertheless remained the principle topic of conversation. Some timidly upheld Him;

death at Jerusalem. While Peter and his

companions watched this stunning scene, a voice boomed out of the sky, "This is My beloved Son, in Whom 1 am well pleased, hear ye Him"(Matt. 17:5).

The festival began without Our Lord's

others more boldly criticized Him.

Suddenly, He was seen ascending the steps of the Temple and sitting down at the place assigned for public instruction. He

Rarely have three human beings, still

taught with wisdom and power and

the contrast could not have been greater, for

living, been treated to such marvelous

explained that He did so not as a mere man

when they awoke, instead of witnessing a man bathed in blood from intense anguish,

because His knowledge was equal to God

they saw that Christ had allowed His true

divine splendors. But, nevertheless, it was quite necessary, so that when they saw their great Master torn and bleeding on the

supernatural glory to shine forth in super abundant light. The glorious, golden light illuminated His flesh and shone through His

Cross, they would not stumble in despair. The powerful image of the glorified Christ would give them, and eventually the whole

produced a profound sensation among many of the common people. No longer

but as one who spoke with absolute truth the Father's. The grand personality of Jesus

content with saying, "He is a good man,"

they now exclaimed, "He is the prophet," "He is the Christ."^

With intensified fury, the chiefs of the Sanhedrin ordered Our Lord to be seized. Yet Our Lord, who stood there alone and

defenseless, spoke on. Even the agents of the authorities reported back to their leaders empty-handed, saying, "Never did a man speak like this Man"(John 7:42). With sar castic insults, the members of the San

' m

retired to their homes.

After spending the night on the Mount of Olives, Christ made His way back to the

Temple the next morning and "all the peo ple came to Him, and sitting down He taught them" (John 8:2). A tenible con frontation ensued. The more Our Lord illus

trated His divine sonship, the more enven

omed and violent became the opposition from the Scribes and Pharisees. Yet He

turned all their interruptions and insults to His own advantage. "Who art thou?" they demanded. In

effect. He answered, "1 am the beginning, The Tran.sfiguration of Our Lord on Mount Tubor

the First Cau.se of Salvation, that Principle

CRUSADE

seat of His enemies in Jerusalem. After a

of life which I have also announced to

you."-* Remarkably, in this heated and agi

brief conversation, first with Martha and

tated atmosphere, some of His listeners felt

then with Mary, Jesus went to the tomb. While speaking to Martha, He made the highly revealing statement, "I am the

drawn to Him in their hearts. Our Lord

decided to put their faint and weak faith immediately to the test. "If you continue in my word, you shall be my disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth and the truth

Resurrection and the Life" — I am the

power by which all men are raised from the dead and the source of eternal life to all.

One can imagine the excitement that Christ generated among the numerous peo

shall make you free."

The indication that they were slaves of sin struck a raw nerve of self-love and,

ple present, many of whom were hostile to

deliberately misinterpreting Him, His ene

Him. He went to the tomb where Lazarus

mies reacted violently. When they claimed

had lain for four days witli decomposition beginning to eat away at his flesh. After ordering the stone rolled away, Jesus with a

lineage from Abraham, Christ retorted, "You are of your father the devil...He was a murderer from the beginning and stood not

loud voice to demonstrate His own great

tranquil and the Pharisees in their rage and

power, cried, "Lazarus come forth!...and presently he that had been dead came forth"

distortion,

(John 11:43).

in the truth." Both sides, Jesus patient and invoked

the

memory

Here we have that magnificent union of

Abraham. The decisive struggle reached its climax

theology and history which cannot be sev ered, a theme forever present in Saint John's

when Our Lord dramatically

declared, "Before Abraham was, I am!"^ Understanding perfectly His compari

Gospel. No other miracle could be as effec tive in showing the glory of God and the divinity of His Son.^ Moreover, the numer

son with the eternal God, His enemies

attempted to stone Him to death. However,

ous details and character sketches show that

our Savior escaped their fury. Before Our Lord left Jerusalem, He per

it was well grounded in historical reality, so

formed another prodigious miracle by giv

love Me: because I lay down My life, that I

much so that the leaders of the nation used

ing sight to a man bom without any physi cal capacity to see. Since it occurred on the

may take it up again. No man take it away from Me: But I lay it down of Myself, and I

this incident to bring about Our Lord's

Sabbath, the Pharisees worked themselves

have the power to lay it down: and I have the power to take it up again"(John 10:14-

into another illogical rage. They immediate ly launched an intensive investigation, first by questioning the cured beggar, then his parents, then the beggar again. The harried

18).

Our Lord again illustrates that He loves man with an everlasting love based on the

death. Those hostile to Our Lord hastened to denounce the author of life to the chief

priests and Pharisees. These unholy and sor did conspirators called a secret meeting of the supreme council, the Sanhedrin. Not

defendant courageously stood his ground by answering that if Jesus did not come from God He could not perform such prodigies. Willfully rejecting the light of truth, the Pharisees expelled him from the synagogue

bond of love that exists between Him and the Father. The one fold is the Catholic

even bothering to deny the reality of Christ's

Church with its Supreme Head, Jesus Christ. Man had the power to put Him to

hatred accused Our Lord of winning the affection of the multitudes through His

death because He freely permitted it. By His

divine acts. After a stonny debate, they pro

and made him an outcast. Moments later the

grateful pariah fell to his knees and wor

own power He would rise from the dead in His glorious Resurrection. As man He died;

to plan the greatest crime in history.

shiped Christ.

as God He raised Himself up.

miracles, these wicked men in their envious

nounced a sentence of death and went ahead

■

Notes

Father Breen has commented that the

baseness, dishonor, and weakness of the

The raising of Lazarus

anti-Christian movement are powerfully displayed here. The enemies of Christ have

1. See Rev. Denis Fahey, C.S The Kingship of Christ (Dublin, 19..

After this harrowing week of emotional

pp. 22ff.

often held the sway of worldly power and

ly charged events. Our Lord left Jerusalem.

2. Rev. A. E. Breen, D.D., A

have oppressed His true followers. When

With the exception of one other feast, when

Harmonized Exposition of the Four Gospels (Milwaukee, 1928), vol. I, p.

the Pharisees drove the poor man out of the

His assertion that He and the Father shared

Temple, they drove him into the arms of

the same divine substance brought Him

Jesus. Thus, sufferings rightly borne lead us

close to death again, He spent most of His

to our Creator.^

Christ followed up this episode with the

time beyond the Jordan until His final days. Shortly thereafter, Jesus received word

allegory of the Good Shepherd, which is

that His dear friend Lazarus was gravely ill.

beloved throughout Christendom for its

In fact, as Our Lord knew, he had already

mercy and charm, and also for fundamental

died, Two days later. He travelled to console Lazarus's sisters, Mary and Martha, at their home in Bethany, much to the dismay of the

truths of the Redemption. "I am the Good

Shepherd...and there shall be one fold and one Shepherd. Therefore doth the Father

JULY-AUGUST, 1997

586.

3. Rev. Jules Lebreton, S.3., The Life and Teaching of Jesus Christ Our Lord (New York, 1957) vol. n, p. 17. 4. Father Andrew Breen's interpreta tion, vol. Ill, p. 235. 5. Fathers

Didon, Breen, and

Lebreton prefer this translation.

6. Breen. vol. HI, p. 262. 7. See Lebreton, p. 123

Apostles, for it was only two miles from the

■27

n Family Series

Little Ju

As retold by Mary Becker

"ave you ever heard the

had taught him, wherever he was welcome. So, he gath

-Story of the little juggler

ered up the little treasures his father had left him â&#x20AC;&#x201D; his

boy of Notre Dame? It is an old, old story, one that my grandmother told me many a time when I was little like you. Bamaby was a juggler. That was his profession, you see, and he was quite good at it.

His father before him had been a juggler, and so had his grandpa. His father had taught him how to juggle and how to dance, how to tumble and how to sing. Bamaby had loved to watch

his father performing in the streets of

two sticks, a couple of hoops, some brightly colored

balls, and some apples. These he wrapped up in the old mg, which he strapped to his shoulders like a turtle's shell. Then he set off to find some work.

He set out every moming for the town, spread out his rug and leaped, danced, and juggled as best as he knew how.

,. ' ^

Paris, and there were times when they were very merry together.

In those days, they had even trav eled the land together, amusing people high and low. Sometimes

they juggled in the market places, sometimes in local fairs. But

their best days were when they performed for special feast days and weddings. Then people were most generous and showered

copper and silver coins on their little worn rug. But when Bamaby was about

ten years old, something veiy sad happened â&#x20AC;&#x201D; his father died. Now, you can imagine how terrible that was to young Barnaby. But Bamaby was a brave little fellow, and life had to

go on. And, he now had to earn

his own bread every day. He would continue to do as his father

CRUSADE

Family Series

People stopped to watch his tricks

looking up, saw a monk looking

and many limes they laughed and smiled. Young as Barnaby was, he had been taught his trade very well

down at him.

manuscripts, and still others painted lovely frescoes for the little abbey

"Where is your home, young boy?" he asked Barnaby kindly. Barnaby stared down at his

chapel which enthroned a statue of Our Lady and the Christ Child. Barnaby, watching the monks as

indeed. While spring flowered into summer, Barnaby tramped all over the countryside to earn his daily

bread. The sky was his roof at night, and during the day people were kind

frozen toes and shook his head mis

they worked, grew increasingly sad.

erably. "Would you like to come with

"Oh, how worthless I am!" he cried

me?" the monk asked him."Come,

to him.

you will be warm presently."

All went very well until winter began to creep in. The warm breezes

found a new home. For the next few

So it happened that Barnaby

turned into chilly blasts, and fewer and fewer people stopped to watch the little juggler on his mat. People

weeks, he was kept warm and wellfed in the abbey kitchen.

hugged their warm cloaks and hur ried past Barnaby without even a

approaching. The monks were preparing gifts to present to the

Now Christmas was fast

glance. His little pur.se of coins grew

Infant Jesus and His Mother on

thinner and thinner until, at last, it was totally empty.

Christmas Eve and were very busy. Brother John was composing a new chant as a gift, for which Brother Matthew was writing lyrics. Brother James was carving a gorgeous new manger, and Brother Juniper pol

One day, Barnaby sat shivering and lonely at the foot of a big oak

tree, trying in vain to keep back his tears. Snowflakes fell all around him

in silent piles, and the cold seemed to freeze even his thoughts. Just then, he heard a muffled step and.

JULY-AUGUST, 1997

to himself. "What right have I to stay here in this abbey when I don't know how to do anything useful? I don't even know how to pray right!" With these sad thoughts, he hung hihead and cried.

One day, while the monks were attending Mass in the abbey church, Barnaby knelt in the chapel and stared up at the statue. "Oh. sweet Virgin," he sighed,"how can I serve you as do the others?" Suddenly, the

bells of the church began to peal and great lovely waves of sound filled

the air. Barnaby jumped up in excitement. "Oh!" he cried, "I know

what I can do for you. Blessed

ished the altar candlesticks until

Mother. Watch me!!"

they gleamed like the sun. Other monks were working on beautiful

floor before the statue. Then he laid

He spread his thin rug on the

Family Series out his two sticks, his hoops, his balls, and his

apples. He gave a deep bow, then suddenly began to leap and tumble in the air. He gave

great somersaults, forward, backward, and side ways. He grabbed his sticks and hoops and tossed them in the air at all angles. He juggled the balls and apples in a great rainbow of colors, behind his back and under his feet. He dropped to his hands and lifted his feet in the air, then

leaped and somersaulted happily again. At last, half an hour and many tumbles later,

the little juggler collapsed in a heap at the feet of the statue. "Oh, sweet Lady, I have given you my best performance. I don't know how to do the things the monks do, but I shall come here every day while they are at prayer and juggle for you and your Son." Many days passed, and Bamaby spent many an hour tumbling and somersaulting for the Mother and Child. Of course, after a while, the

brothers began to wonder what he was doing so

secretly while they prayed. When Christmas was but two days away. Brother James decided to discover what it was that Barnaby did in the

chapel by himself. He quietly followed the boy and peeked through a crack in the door. He was amazed by what he saw!! There was Barnaby grinning from ear to ear,juggling merrily before the statue.

"Why, this is .scandalous!" exclaimed the monk to himself. "While we are tending to our souls, this little fool is capering about like a little goat in our

It was a lovely and lively performance, and at last he dropped to the ground, exhausted and gasping.

chapel! I must inform the Abbot!" And he did. The Abbot, however, was a good and wise man and never made ill judgments of people without

Suddenly, the Abbot's and the monk's eyes almost popped from their sockets. They watched in awe as a dazzling Lady descended daintily from the

proof or reason. "Now, now," he said to Brother James,"do not act hastily. Let me see the boy for myself. Next lime he begins his juggling, call me without telling anyone else." The next night was Christmas Eve. All the monks

niche where the statue stood. Her robes shimmered

with precious stones, diamonds, and sapphires. The air around her vibrated with the hum of angelic voices.

She drew close to the prostrate little juggler and

presented their gifts to the Blessed Mother and the

wiped his brow with a silken handkerchief. She blew softly on his hot little face, then bent down and

Infant Jesus, and Bamaby thought he had never seen such a beautiful array of works! "Oh, sweet Mother," he sighed,"how I wish 1 had

kissed it gently. Before anyone could stir a hair, she

something as exquisite to offer you." O

When the ceremony was over and the

monks had all returned to their cells, Barnaby stole softly back to the chapel. He thought himself alone, but there were two sets of eyes following his every move from behind the confessional in the dark side of the

chapel. Barnaby laid out his rug and bowed low before the statue. The Abbot and Brother

James stared as he tumbled merrily from step

found me out and is going to send me away for tumbling in the chapel." But,

to his great surprise, the Abbot hugged him and said: "Barnaby, my son, do you wish to stay here at the monastery with us?"

"Oh, yes. Sir!," answered the boy all aglow.

to step, standing first on his hands, then on

"Then we want you to stay also. But

one foot, then on the other. He danced and

from now on, you must tumble for Our Blessed Lady and the Christ Child

juggled as he had never before done

ÂŽ

returned to the niche above the steps. On Christmas day the Father Abbot called O lor the little juggler, Barnaby went to him trembling, thinking, "Surely he has

in his life, for this night was the birthday of the Christ Child and he

openly and no longer in secret. 1 believe They like your tumbling

wanted to do his best for his Infant God.

very well."

â&#x2013;

CRUSADE

1997: Centenary of the death of one of the greatest saints of modern times

St.Therese of the

Child Jesus an

Holy Face Part IV

Between suffering and joy: the life of a by John VuJigal

ight days after Saint Therese of

The first victim of the flu epidemic was

the Child Jesus and the Holy Face had taken the veil, the mar

of age, the foundress of the Carmel of

Mother Genevi^ve of Saint Teresa. 87 years

riage of Jeanne and Frangois,

Lisieux. This loss was most significant for

friends of the Martin family, took place. Making a com parison in her innocent soul of

Saint Therese, more so because it was the

first death she witnessed. Concerning

this union with the one she had

it had been an inestimable grace to know

Just contracted with the Divine Savior, the young Norman

her, for she was a saint "of authentic sancti

Madame Martin.

Princess and Lady-of-Honorof ti.,'Celestial Court,

amused herself one afternoon

ing oneself." Later, Saint Therese dreamed

by composing an invitation

that Mother Genevieve appeared to her and said: 'To you I leave my heart." In fact,

Monsieur Louis Marlin. nf Suffering and HuniHtation. and

amounce the Marriage of their

similar to the one she had

Th^r^se

received,(see left)

Such a text enables any and

, Who. by>V„r.theofaction GO,.ofSeooo, Fe.on ofO.MonMo Tri,o,y. the Holy Gho .

Jesus.the Wora oj

son of Mary, the Queen of Heaven.

,i,e„onMooo,Coro.e>onSep,e,o,erSJS Uhe Celosnol Cour, alone l,aoing been adnallei).

■ ted for Ihe Renewal of Nuptial you are. howeeer. tn^^

ows

,0 take place Tomorr .

tbeSo.tofOod.wiaeo.,.aROd <

„„.esplendorofmsMaiestyto,.dget,.elw The hour being unknown, you are ineitedto be ready and.o keep watelt.

every person of good faith to catch a glimpse of the inno cence that reigned in the

Mother Genevieve, Saint Therese wrote that

ty, that in which one has no illusions regard

given the ferocious republican persecutions

against Catholics in those limes and fe ' that the body of their foundress wouL buried in

a common cemetery, the

Carmelites

obtained

authorization

heart of Saint Th6rdse. God,

remove the heart of their Mother and place

being "jealous" of virtuous souls, was to permit the

it in a reliquary. The epidemic continued to take its toll.

worst sufferings a soul could endure to fall upon this holy frailty, those suf ferings that, when weU

The eldest of the sisters died on Saint

Th^rese's nineteenth birthday; then the subprioress; and, lastly, a lay sister. The entire

received, gain Heaven for

community, with the exception of Sr. Marie du Sacre Coeur, the sister of Saint Therese;

the soul.

Sr. Marthe, and Saint Therdse herself, had

Death fell over Carrael

been confined to their beds. With the life in

during the extremely rig

common undone, the bells silenced, and the

orous winter of 1891-92.

offices postponed, Saint Therese pushed

Centenary

herself and worked energetically. She

The greatest of her desires of this moment was

buried the dead, cared for the sick, and

for the entrance of her beloved sister Celine into

took the places of those who could not

Carmel, the same Celine who had with such devo

fulfill their functions to such an extent

tion cared for the very infirm M. Martin. "The most intimate of my desires, which I thought I would never see realized, was the entrance of my

that the superior, M. Deltroette said: "She is the great hope of the communi

St. Therese at right with the mother superior Mother Marie Gonzague, and her three sisters

ty"

beloved Celine into Carmel. But, into our Carmel."

It was during this time that Saint Therese received a great grace, one of her "greatest desires." No longer oblig

Indeed, the problem was thus addressed; How to

permit four sisters under the roof of the same Carmel, and one of them being the Superior?

ed to ask authorization of the Prioress

Would this not create conditions favorable for con

to receive Holy Communion, she took

fusion and trouble? Would it be in accord with the

advantage to receive every day, thus

traditions of Carmel? All of this tormented Saint

anticipating the great grace that Saint Pius X would concede Christianity some years later. Fr. Youf, the chaplain

Therese, and she prayed fervently for her sister.

of Carmel, had wanted to authorize her to do so, but had not done so for fear of

provoking problems with other religious. He later lamented, "When I think that I had not the liberty to permit such a perfect religious to receive Communion daily...!" In February of 1892, reduced to 22 sisters, the religious extended the mandate of their prioress.

Knowing that her sister was to attend a party one evening. Therese earnestly implored the Good

God to keep her from dancing, lest she place her vocation at risk. Celine was in the middle of the

party when a young man approached her and

requested the next dance. What was his surprise when his partner became immobilized and man aged not even the first steps! Concerning this fact,

Mother Marie Gonzague, for another year. Then, upon her turning 20 in February of 1893, Saint Therese witnessed an election that bore a great sur

Therese wrote,"This unique experience caused my confidence and love to grow for Him Who had placed His mark upon my forehead and, at the same time, upon that of Celine." This holy desire was fulfilled on September 14,

prise: Mother Agnes â&#x20AC;&#x201D; her sister Pauline â&#x20AC;&#x201D; was elected prioress of Carmel. Jubilant, Saint Therese

Louis Martin, the father of the four sister

wrote to her:

Carmelites, had rendered his soul unto God.

1894, a month and a half after the Ser\'ant of God

"My beloved Mother,

â&#x2013;

"How sweet it is for me to give you this name...! For a long time you have been my Mother, but it was in the privacy of my heart that I gave this name to She who was at one

and the same time my Guardian Angel and my Sister. Today, the Good God has conse crated you; you are truly my mother and

will be for all eternity. Ah, how beautiful is this day for this your daughter!" Then followed a lengthy period of consolations in the life of she who would later be the Victim of

Most Merciful Love. She began to paint missals, to

compose poetry, to design and fabricate sacred ornaments: ultimately, it was a series of apostolic labors that sanctified and freshened the air of

Carmel."Since two years past," says Saint Therese in her Story of a Soul, "I have well understood some mysteries until then not understood. The

Good God has favored me with the same mercy with which He graced Solomon. He deigned that I

have not a single desire unsatisfied; not only desires for perfection, but also those that I felt were

vain, without ever having experienced them."

The Carmel at LIsieux which Saint Therese

entered at age fifteen.

CRUSADE

M Ij.

u/i(/ funi-ppi/tiio^ /(i i f/ntp... â&#x2013; milmm'. ' Z{li/ffz

toy ...the beautiful small town in Normandy where the small Therese grew up to become one of the

greatest saints of our century. Lisieux today is said to be only a shadow of what it was in Saint Theresa's time. The World

Wars swept by this gem of Normandy like a destructive whirlwind.

Nevertheless, walking through its charming streets, squares, and gardens today, one can still

get a glimpse of what it must have been... and one understands the saint a little better. The exquisitness of her soul, her artistic and

poetic sense, and her innocence, found fitting echoes all around her. For one, if the gardens in her time were any

thing like they appear in these photos, it is certain

ly clear why she liked flowers so much. Yes, and she was Lisieux's most beautiful rose..

With eyes fixed on the light illuminating its face, the lion pictured here seems to assume an attitude at

Our Lord Jesus Christ, instructing His disciples regarding their apostolic mission, proposed the sheep,

once strong, elegant, restful, and vigilant. Its mane calls to mind the dignity proper to a king. Its lofty

the dove, and the serpent as models of high virtues:

bearing instills fear and respect. How is it that a simple creature can represent so many moral values, such as courage, vigilance, and nobility? Although irrational, animals instinctively tend to manifest their specific divinely-created nature in a thousand ways. This reveals the position they hold

within the order of the Universe, giving us the oppor tunity to know and admire this nature as a magnifi cent reflection of uncreated Wisdom and Beauty. Certain animals thus manifest the symbolic aspect of their nature, which Sacred Scripture often notes and repeats, so that we may understand and appreci ate spiritual realities and moral attitudes.

"Behold I send you as sheep in the midst of wolves.

Be ye therefore wise as serpents and simple as doves" (Matt. 10:16).

In this sense, the lion gives us an eloquent exam ple of combativity and nobility. Because of this, it passed from the jungle to heraldic coats of arms,

where it is commonly depicted in the rampant posi tion it assumes when attacking its prey. In likeness to a royal proclamation, its formidable roar can be heard for many miles, establishing its absolute sovereignty over the other animals.

Having these resplendent qualities, the lion has served to symbolize the "King of kings," Him Who is the "Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Son of the Virgin, the offspring of David"!

September-October, 1997 $4.00

m£

sus

'''♦♦Wt'l

The American Society for the Defense of Tradition, Family and Property

^MpBiCity and

^Amdbgous TraditkmaC'Ektes in tfie jMbcutions of'PinsXll ^ Ifieme lOkaninating lAmerican Social^History by Prof. Plinio CorrSa de Oliveira

.llSrau Iffuffluidlinj AmMbonjorisr^rtilpiy

mMFull Cloth

Binding 592 Pages

64 Color Pictures

Black & White Pictures

About the book Since the eighteenth century, genera tions have been schooled in Utopian principles proclaiming total equality as the guarantor of liberty and justice for all. The egalitarian myth of a classless society was proffered as the unquestion able path down which mankind must travel to reach perfect social harmony. In Nobility and Analogous Traditional Elites in the Allocutions ofPius Xll â&#x20AC;&#x201D; A Theme Illuminating American Social History, best-selling author Professor Correa de Oliveira ambitiously argues the contrary. Drawing on papal and other classic sources, the author persua sively demonstrates the necessity of natural social hierarchy. At the doorstep of the twentieth cen tury, do contemporary forms of nobili ty exist? Are aristocratic institutions necessary in democracies? Are elites capable of being guardians of tradition and, at the same time, the propelling forces of true progress? The surprising answers to these and other timely ques tions are found in this provocative book.

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Coining the term analogous tradi tional elites, the author brilliantly illus trates how families, over the course of

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desire for continual improvement, become true elites, an aristocrat-like

class gradually and smoothly blending into the aristocracy or actually becom ing a new one.

In this ground-breaking book, emi nent historian and sociologist Prof. Correa de Oliveira makes a bold and

visionary response to the modern day liberal, pseudo "elites" at the cutting edge of today's cultural revolution. The book demonstrates, as no book has done before, that wholesome, authentic

elites must make a meaningful contri bution to the solution of the contem

porary crisis by asserting their leader ship role.

For Americans the point is driven home in the books final part. In a unique and spellbinding historic per

spective, it provides a vivid analysis of American social history, proving that in the Great Republic an aristocratic nation dwells within a democratic state.

Nobility and Analogous Traditional Elites is not just a portrait of the past; rather, it is a compendium of principles that is a portent of the future. In short, Prof. Plinio Correa de Oliveira's book reveals and elucidates,

generations, form new nobilities even

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in nations where titled nobles have never been known. He demonstrates

shrouded social reality, penetrating far deeper than any work until now. It will change the way you think about one of

that families, faithful to flourishing genuine traditions rich in moral, cul tural, and social values coupled with a

the most explosive topics of our time: elites.

September-October, 1997

Cover; Saint Therese of

the Child Jesus

❖ In Brief

Our Readers Write

Cover Article

Saint Therese of the Child Jesus

I - The thoughtfulness of grace

II - Correspondence to grace

ni - Carmelite sanctity IV - The Shower of Roses

❖ Saint Therc.se of the Child Jesus

and the Holy Face

Basic History Course of Western Civilization Jesus Christ: God. Savior, and King The Center of History - Part IV (cont.)

Family Series The Deer Hunter

Insignificant as I am, I long to enlighten

Ambiences, Customs and Civilizations men's minds

True Sanctity Lies in Strength of Soul. and Njot in Sentimental Softness

doctors dM."

American TFP in Action

What a Great Joy to Work for Our Lady of Fatima

Crusade Magazine is a publication of the American Society for the Defense of Tradition. Family and Property (TFP). Subscriptions in the United States and Canada, $24.00.

Foreign subscriptions, $30.00. List of other TFP publications available upon request. Direct all subscription requests and inquiries to: Crusade Magazine, P.O. Box 1868, York, PA

as the prophets and

Crusade Xfagazine Editor:

C. Pre.sion Noell III

A.S.SOCIATE Editors:

Earl Appleby

To Our Readers:

Thomas Becket Jack Bumham

Eugenia Guzman Gary Isbell

As the nineteenth century drew to a close and the twen tieth was about to erupt with its violence, materialism, rampant sensuality, and hypocrisy, a 24-year-old Carmelite nun lay dying in a convent in France. She had apparently achieved so little in her short life that the nun assigned to

look into her life expressed concern that there would be nothing significant to write about her. Yet after her death the fame of this young woman spread throughout the Church and world till she became an icon of twentieth century piety. Hardly a Catholic church can be found without an image of her or at least a booklet featur ing her life. No Catholic today would fail to recognize Saint Therese of the Child Jesus. Photographs of her seem to glow with a supernatural aura that nowhere imposes itself vio lently or unnaturally but permeates everyAing. It is these photographic representations of her that are most poignant. The less fortunate — and more common — iconography representing her, through the prism of sentimental piety, has not been able to diminish the appeal of the real Therese of Lisieux.

Todd F. Kamuf Circulation:

Gregory Escaro Foreign Correspondents: AUSTRALIA: Jobn S. Tucker

BRAZIL: Jose Carlos Sepulveda CHILE: Nelson Farias Blanco FRANCE: Benoit Bemelmans

GERMANY: Beno Hofschulle PORTUGAL: Antonio C. de Azeredo ROME: Juan M. Monies SOUTH AFRICA; Richard Urban

SPAIN: Felipe Burandiaran

The American TFP

The American Society for the Defense of Tradition, Family and Property (TFP) was founded in

This real Saint Therese marked out the path for a spiritu

ality of the twentieth century with her "little way." Having been small and insignificant in appearance, she became a giant of the spiritual life. By leaving a comfortable middleclass life for the austerities of the convent, by leading a short

life marked by suffering, and, finally, by facing with com plete fidelity a death that most probably would not have been so premature had she remained in the world, she stood in the way of the new frame of mind then overtaking mankind

These are a few of the reasons Crusade has made 1997,

the centenary of her death, a Theresian year. Every issue this year has had at least one feature article on her and the greater part of this issue is dedicated to her. She figures highly in our own spiritual lives as an intercessor and inspi ration, so we could not do otherwise than avail ourselves of this opportunity to further understanding of and devotion to this saint.

Thomas J. McKenna Photography:

■

1973 to confront the profound crisis shaking the modem world. It is a

defend and promote the principles

of private ownership, family and perennial Christian values with twofold function: individual . social. The TFP's words and efforts

have always been faithfully at the service of Christian civilization.

The first TFP was founded in

Brazil by the famous intellectual and Catholic leader Prof. Plinio

Correa de Oliveira in 1960. His

work has inspired the formation of other autonomous TFPs in 26 coun

tries across the globe, thus consti tuting the world's largest anticommunist and antisocialist network of

Catholic inspiration.

CRUSADE

IN BRIEF

E( Borzois bounce back Such was the fanaticism of the French

Revolution that even a parrot was publicly tried and sentenced to the guillotine for hav ing said "Long live the King!" The Bolsheviks, similarly perverse, virtually exterminated the borzoi dog, long favored by the Tsars for hunting hares, because it was the "dog of the gentry." Fortunately,

parrots

still

are done primarily for social reasons — a relationship problem,the "I'm not ready for the responsibility of raising a child" routine, fears that the cost of raising a child would

government's investment program and to buy and sell assets. What has been done on our part?

be unaffordable, and so on. Most Americans consider abortion to be

Powell and Brent Scowcroft, on behalf of the Bush administration, made it clear that

murder, or at least the "taking of a human

they intended "to expedite United States

Nothing has changed siiice Gen. Colin

life." If more were aware of the real excus

withdrawal, and that under no circum

es for most abortions, perhaps the sentimen tality that so often overrules reason in this

stances would they consider a lease

matter could be overcome. But, with the

bases."

abortion industry standing to lose $30 mil lion for every 100,000 children saved, most Americans will never hear of this study, and

El The song remains the same

it is quite unlikely that the Guttmacher Institute will update it.

El Not in our own backyard?

abound.

arrangement for the continuation of U.S.

The Cuban Revolution impoverished the former "Pearl of the Antilles" both spiritu ally and materially. What semblance of an economy remained there fell even further

nate; in our days a genuine borzoi dog is a

Although America has no perceptible vital stake in Bosnia, Congress has commit

veritable historic relic. Yet, where there is

ted $6 billion to finance our intervention

life there is hope. A few of these elegant

there. Yet Congress has shown itself unwill ing to provide even $100 million to main tain a timely United States presence at the

when Soviet subsidies ended in the early 1990s. The misery is such that some young people have taken to infecting themselves with AIDS so that they might at least bene fit from the better treatment given those who are hospitalized with terminal illness. In the face of such undeniable misery,

Panama Canal and block the Canal's even

how does the government of Fidel Castro

tual control by interests allied with Red

manifest its concern for the people? By acknowledging its utter failure? By plan ning and implementing new economic

Borzois, however, have not been so fortu

canines did survive, their numbers have

increased, and the sport of hunting with them is gaining renewed popularity. Hunters, a good number of them

women, affirm there is nothing to equal such hunting and are now regularly seen with their hounds on the windswept fields bordering St. Petersburg. When a hare is spotted, the dogs are off. Judges score the

dogs for the skill with which they pursue their prey.

China.

Over the years, polls conducted in Panama have repeatedly shown that the immense majority of Panamanians want the United States to stay, and this support rises to 80% and more if we pay a leasing fee to maintain our presence. The Communist Chinese, already hav ing made menacing comments about strik

BI Abortion—reasons vs. excuses

ing America from the Chinese mainland, are losing no time in increasing their inter

The most commonly heard — and believed — "justifications" for the crime of

ests and involvement in Panamanian

abortion are die health of the mother, defor mities in the child, rape, incest, and the like.

affairs.

Important port facilities on

reforms calculated to restore the incentives

and benefits so foreign to a communist

regime? Perhaps the granting of religious and civil liberties which we so take for

granted? Through what may be termed necessity, Fidel and his cronies turn a blind eye to the lucrative corruption, prostitution, and the like now thriving, particularly around

tourist areas that supply so much necessary income. But there have been no signs of admitting or amending the

both sides of the canal have

blatant errors that have

Contradicting the conventional wisdom, a 1987 study by the Alan Guttmacher

been leased by Hutchinson

turned the whole island

Institute, a Planned Parenthood affiliate,

controlled by the Red Chinese government. A

shows that no more than 7% of women give any of those excuses for seeking abortions. Of the 1900 women surveyed, 3% cited concern for their own health. Another 3% stated a concern for the health of the child.

Incest and rape were given as the principal reason by only 1%. Of those who cited

"potential health problems for the baby" as

Whampoa, a company 10%

major share of this com pany is owned by a

Hong Kong billion aire who is most

dependent on good relations with Beijing. The company is closely

into a prison or of quishing any control.

'-n-

A great number of polit ical prisoners, many of them beaten and denied medicine,

still languish in over 290 Cuban

jails. The prying local revolution ary committees and the Cuban ver

sion of the Gestapo are as active as ever. One frightened woman, the wife of a

prominent dissident, told of the recent jail

their reason, less than one in ten had actual

associated with COSCO,

ly gotten word from their doctor that the

a global shipping con cern supervised by the People's Liberation

ing of her husband and three colleagues. He

Army.

irregularly, and denied visits from his

child had a defect.

In short, a study conducted by the antilifers themselves indicates that at least 93%

The Bank of China recently granted a

of abortions performed in the United States

$120 million loan to Panama to finance the

SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER, 1997

is kept in an unlit cell, fed sparsely and

lawyer. But really, what could any lawyer do in such a regime?

In Brief

0All aboard for the sinking island

January. It seems likely that others from around the country will obtain similar clear ances.

The Ciinion administration has granted the Archdiocese of Miami permission to

proceed with plans for a pilgrimage to Cuba for the open-air Mass Pope John Paul II will celebrate in Havana when he visits Cuba in

Many Cubans in exile and their repre sentative organizations are protesting the permission. They believe that many people will merely use the pilgrimage as a legal way to circumvent the long-standing U.S.

ban on travel to Cuba. They also fear that

the pilgrimage will be "nothing but a first step towards elimination of the commercial embargo" against Fidel Castro's commu nist regime and a sort of approbation for a government that has brought untold misery and squalor to a formerly prosperous coun try.

Our Readers Write H

Dear Editor,

I enjoyed your article, "The Voices of

Many Crying in the Wilderness," and your

Dear Editor,

Bishops and clergy should teach what the Church and her Divine Master teach on

God's Judgment of all the Nations is being served well, when Sudan's plight is

this sin and condemn and denounce the

that are currently being taught with

doctrinal errors against Catholic morality

Gassis. It is very sad that Church leaders

made available by Crusade on the Internet. In other words, ignorance of this

sell out their own people for the sake of

tragedy that is Islam's persecution of

universities across the country. The

false ecumenism. They speak of dialogue

Christians in Sudan can no longer be used

Catechism of the Catholic Church affirms

interview with Bishop Macram Max

impunity in many Catholic schools and

with the infidel while the infidel murders

as a defense from Almighty God's Justice

that "Under no circumstances can homo

Catholic people, seeking to wipe out the

that is unfolding more and more as we

sexuals acts be approved" not to mention

Catholic Faith.

write this...

several quotes from Sacred Scripture against this sin. This deadly sin will ulti

Who needs enemies when we have

Church leaders who are silent or who

compromise for the sake of peace, instead of seeking truth before peace. This is the age of apostasy. The commu

May our Lady continue to inspire you to put on the Internet your Crusade cover stories that will eventually reach hundreds of millions throughout the world... A.L., Florida

nists have entered the Church. Let us

mately bring mayhem, chaos and destruc tion to our beloved Church and Country.

They responded by saying that I should read my Catechism more thoroughly and that our Bishop had already established a

pray for the consecration of Russia to the

Ministry for Gay people; that we cannot

Immaculate Heart of Mary as Our Lady

Dear Editor,

has requested and has still yet to be done. I will pray for the intercession of the cru

show prejudice and disrespect to gay peo ple, deny their civil rights as to access to

umn "Our Readers Write" 1 read with

saders and the intercession of St. James

great interest V.G.'s letter .sent from New

who personally came down from heaven to help the Spanish people defeat the infi

York about the scandalous Masses being

zine is like a breath of fresh air this side

held for homosexuals. Here in Florida we

of Heaven in a world where confusion

del Muslims and chase them back to

are facing the same thing. In the May 22

reigns. Thank you again and may God

North Africa. St. James is known as

issue of the Florida Catholic, I was

and Our Blessed Lady bless you. A Poor

Matamoros in Spain because he siayed

appalled and profoundly shocked to see in

and Confused Sinner in Florida.

moors.

the section "Around the Diocese" an

S.D., Maryland

In your May/June issue under the col

and Lesbian Community at St. Paul's Catholic Church in Daytona Beach. That same announcement was featured in the

esting and brought me to a better place.

weekly Parish circular. Is the Church now condoning the sin of homosexuality and sodomy? What kind of example is the

The article on the homosexuals and the

Church giving to our children? In offering

Church's teaching enlightened me.... I even enjoyed the story of the poor

such a Mass, sacrilege by sinning against the Body and Blood of Christ is also

little kidnapped girl (Pelusa)â&#x20AC;&#x201D;I can't wait

being committed by approaching Holy

till the next issue to see if she finds her

Communion in the state of sin.

I'm glad you sent me a trial copy; I'll

gladly subscribe. Each article was inter

mother and father, or what, so I can send

the story to my young grandsons! L.B., California

Keep up the good work. Your maga

M.M., Florida

announcement saying that a special Mass

will be held by the Catholic Gay and Lesbian Ministry for the Catholic Gay

Dear Editor,

the Church, etc.!

I implored the diocese of Orlando to

please defend our beloved Church against this perversion and loss of soul; that

Dear Editor,

I recently received a copy of the March-April 1997 Crusade Magazine. All I can say is Excellent! Your article on Bishop Clark was very well done and very much appreciated. Thank you. Please enter my subscription to your

magazine and please send me another copy of the Clark issue and the issue you did on Call to Action.

May I reprint yoiu' article on Clark and also the one on tolerance? RCF has a

large following and we would like to pro mote your Magazine. S.B., Illinois

CRUSADE

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1 Year

<R24m

SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER, 1997

^rusade Magazine 2 Years

P O. Box 1868

York, PA - 17405

'Jesus one of the greatest saints of modem times, and she is undoubtedly one of the most pop

lation of the discerning and moving commentanes on the Saint by Father Raymond de Thomas de Saint-Laurent, originally published in French as a

ular saints throughout the world.

small booklet titled simply Sainte Therese de

aint Pius X called Saint Therese of the Child

In commemoration of her centennial in October

of this year. Crusade Magazine deemed it more than appropriate to dedicate the greater part of this

VEnfant Jesus.

Those who are acquainted with Father de Saint-

issue to the Little Flower, who more than once

Laurent's writings, especially his Book of Confidence, will immediately be intrigued to leam

wrote of her immense desire to be a Crusader and,

what he has to say about such a saint as the humble

if need be, to go to a battlefield to fight for Christ

Carmelite of Lisieux. For those who have not made

and His Church.

his acquaintance, we trust that these pages will be a

We are pleased to present to our readers a trans

welcome introduction.

{ by Fr. Raymond de Thomas de Saint-Laurent

On the day of her canonization. Saint Therese of the Child Jesus reaped an

incomparable triumph. The Eternal City had sel dom seen such an explosion of enthusiasm within its walls. In the morning, the thir ty thousand pilgrims gathered in the immense Basilica of Saint Peter pas sionately acclaimed the banner with

implacable illness. She is loved for the beneficial shower of roses she lets fall from Heaven over

her innumerable devotees, fulfilling the promises she made.

Everything about her is attractive and fascinating. If her devotees know her, many understand her only imperfectly, and some even have an idea of her entirely opposed to historical reality. The ceive the radiance of her glory, bui they do not penetrate the depths of her soul. They suspect neither the superhu man strength nor the constant heroism

the smiling face of the young Carmelite. When evening came, the

cupola of the Basilica, entirely cov ered with lights, was resplendent in her honor, and the houses of Rome

had been decorated and lit up as a sign of the joy of their inhabitants. Our dear Saint is eminently popular. She is invoked and loved across the

that carried this young girl to the highest pinnacles of Christian perfection. Fr. Raymond

de Thomas de Saint-Laurent

globe. She is loved for her gracious, spontaneous, and unpretentious style in

In these few pages we will try to

revive her true moral physiognomy. We wish to accentuate the sanctity of her life,

recounting her simple life. She is loved for having

which makes her a true sister of yesterday's

covered the cross she received as a religious with flowers and caresses while consumed by an

giants of virtue, the great Saint whom few know how to discover beneath her childi.sh chai'ms.

CRUSADE

I - The thoughtfulness of grace Sanctity is the combined work of

Divine action and human correspondence, but in this close collaboration, God's part is always the greater. "Without Me, you

religious

can do nothing." said Jesus.' Therefore,

said: "This medi

beside her and

before all ei.se, the soul should docilely

cine appears to be

abandon itself to the mysterious action of

excellent, but I never

grace. This is the universal law.

knew anything more bitter." Then she added thoughtfully; "This is the precise image of my life; to the eyes of

This is what happened with little Sister Therese. The Most High took possession

into a pro found

lence, a fright

ening fact when speaking of a child. Her soul was immersed in such an

abyss of sufferings that she was unabK express her feelings in words. The shu-

of her soul; He sculpted, modeled, and

others it always seemed vested in the most

was so violent that the child's disposition

embellished it and made of her a master

joyful colors. They thought I was drinking a delicious liqueur; in reality, it was only

changed. Until then she had been so lively

piece of celestial beauty.

To achieve the magnificent plan of His

bitterness."

most merciful Love, the Divine Majesty

Christ, who wanted her entirely for

made use of two great providential means: suffering and prayer.

Cross. From her most tender years,

Shortly before her death, Therese of the

Therese was rent by suffering. At the young age of four, she lost her mother. It was a terrible blow. The precocious intel ligence of this child fully comprehended

Himself, marked her with the seal of the

as to be called the "little ferret," the "little

mischief-maker," but now she became

excessively impressionable. The slightest emotion brought tears to her eyes. She tied from the noisy amusements common to children of her age. She felt comfortable

only in the warm familial atmosphere where her oldest sister Pauline assumed

the role of mother, giving her the prudent

Child Jesus took a certain medicine.

the extent of the loss, and her acute sensi

Gazing attentively at the glimmer of red liquid in the bottle, she showed it to the

bility intensified the bleeding wound in

Neverthele,ss, God soon came to

her young heart. The sorrow plunged her

remove this seemingly necessary succor

SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER, 1997

and tender affection she needed.

Centenary

from this poor little girl. Pauline felt the call from on high to enter the Carmelite order and bravely sacrificed

everything to heed it. So it was that even before receiving her first Holy

sanctity. They came to look upon some of her most generous acts as negligent and imper fect. They considered her a child of great promise, yet still poor in acquired virtues. But there is more, and here, in order to

Communion, Therese would feel her

judge things correctly, it is necessary to admit

self twice orphaned.

the will of Providence. Exquisite charity

The "little white flower" felt the

reigned in Carmel; in accord with the desires

wind of the tempest; the fragile stem

of their holy Mother. Saint Teresa of Avila, the sick were given the greatest attention.

bent low and there were some who

anxiously wondered if she was not

Now, at the end of Lent, the little Saint suf

going to die. The moral shock so weak

fered a hemoptysis(an expectoration of blood

ened our dear little Saint that her health

from the respiratory tract) on several occa sions. As duty demanded, she did not hide the

began to fail. She fell gravely ill, lan

guishing for months. When all had already lost hope of saving her, the Most Holy Virgin appeared to her, smiled at her, and miraculously cured her.

Without a doubt, it was a signal

grace, but for this child it marked the beginning of a new martyrdom. Her

fact, yet she related it with such gracious sim plicity that no one worried about the state of her health. They let her continue her fasting and vigils, unwittingly delaying the treatment her illness required. The Divine Master so desired it, for He wished to harvest this vir

ginal soul speedily for the gardens of His Paradise.

sisters, having seen in her face the

Her crosses in the Carmel of Lisieux were

signs of the ecstasy,- discovered her

not solely from creatures; some penetrated to the depths of her heart and truly martyred her,

secret. Their questions obliged her to relate what had happened, and for the next four years Therese suffered the

agonies endured by privileged souls. By a special di.sposition of Providence, our dear Saint, before crossing the

for they came from the very hand of God. What crosses were these that caused her such sorrow? The first was the trial that befell her fami

ly: The father she so tenderly loved grew

threshold of adolescence, already expe

weak and died after three years of painful

rienced the threefold suffering that

agony.

adolescents and religious endure: suf fering of the heart, of the body, and of the spirit. The contradictions and prolonged delays that her vocation encountered left her desolate. But the.se sufferings did not last long. Thereafter we find

Later came a terrible darkness: frightening

temptations against the Faith, incessantly fought but always renewed. Saint Therese was tormented for months on end, yet this enor mous trial would cease only on her deathbed,

when waves of light rent the night and, in a

her in the Carmel of Lisieux, within the

great ecstasy of love, Therese breathed her last. That we might understand this cruel suf

cloister for which she had so thirsted.

fering, we should attentively study the doc

She confessed that nothing there took

trine of Saint John of the Cross concerning passive purification. The limits of this small

her by surprise; .she expected the cross, and it was the cross that she found. She encountered numerous crosses. Some

came

from

creatures.

The

book do not permit a detailed expc

this doctrine, but, with unfailing ii

may affirm that this last trial of Saint Therese

Superior, a religious of eminent good

surpassed the most painful of natural suffer

sense and great firmness, soon discov ered the treasures in this privileged soul and decided to spur Saint Therese's

ings. How radiant she seemed when, in a ges

spiritual advancement at a goodly pace.

bunches of flowers to her crucifix! The roses

Notwithstanding her young age, the

that filled her hands deliciously perfumed the heart of the Master, serving at the same time

young nun was treated with a rigid aus terity that might have disconcerted even the most tempered of hearts. The sisters who shared her daily

life appreciated her beautiful natural endowments and sincerely loved her;

they did not, however, perceive her

ture so recollected and sweet, she pressed

to enchant our poor souls, so thirsty for peace and suavity.

To us, Thdrese seems enveloped in an atmosphere of poetry and felicity. This is cer tainly true, though this poetry is the poetry of sacrifice. The roses she holds bloody her fin-

CRUSADE

Centenary

loved her, the Most High has treated her as

gift of suffering. He united her Himself through prayer. When she

He treated His only begotten Son: "Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and

rious force led her to seek refuge

gers and rend her heart. Because He has

so to enter into his glory?"^

was still a child, a suave and myste within herself. She would retire

Those who wish to attain sanctity must

to a comer of the room and

surrender generously to the action of grace,

remain there, thinking. What

and God will cause them to ascend the

did she think about for so long?

slopes of Calvary. One reaches glory through the cross; there is no other way. Many pious people consider themselves on the way to perfection. They have good desires, they savor prayer, and they consid er themselves to be soaring in the sublime regions of high virtue. But if sweetness is lacking, if trials arise, they soon become discouraged; they doubt God's tenderness and are tempted to abandon everything.

What a great mistake it is to doubt God!

She knew not how to explain; she felt her soul at ease close to

the invisible beings that pro tected her. When

someone

insisted

upon knowing the subject of her reflections, she responded, "I am thinking of Heaven." When at

times her father took her walking in the countryside, she thought there as well, amid the flowers that

1 the first embrace

that I was loved ai

(Therese referring to her Fir^J

aurora of true light.

were her friends and, I was going to say, her sisters. She thought in like manner at night, gazing at the stars that she so liked to con template.

To abandon everything: what madness! To turn our backs upon suffering is to turn

entered little Therese's heart on these occa

our backs upon Love and to renounce our

sions? It was a clear touch of grace, which,

sanctification!

according to the expression of the Holy

we should recognize the work of the Most

High in ourselves and joyously salute the

God is infinitely good. In Scriptures we

What was the unfamiliar impression that

Jii li JJJ [jAI)

them as friends.

Naturally, these contemplative tenden cies would blossom more perfectly when she entered Carmel. Every day she 'I'd pray the prayers prescribed by the rui. would perform all her duties under God's gaze; she would live in an almost uninter rupted union with her most beloved Master.

Books, is the "unction that teacheth all

What were the sentiments she felt in

things"''; it was the feeling of the presence of God, the very foundation of the grace of

prayer? At times a celestial sweetness filled her heart to overflowing; at other times,

prayer.

there were intense ecstasies, which her frag ile body could not long endure without

irrational animals. He does not subject man,

Saint Therese had already received numerous and profound graces such as

created in His image and likeness, to trials

these. Later on, she would write with all

see that His compassion extends even to the

without a reason. When He sends us suffer

sincerity that on the day of her First

being shattered. But it was aridity, dryness, the "night," to use the language of Saint John of the Cross, that were most frequent.

ing, it is only to detach us from creatures and unite us more closely to Him.

Communion her heart's encounter with

Still, in this dryness was found something

Christ was a "fusion of souls." Happy are

profound and substantial that nourished her:

While He granted our Saint the precious

those who receive such favors! God treats

This night was not lacking a certain clarity.

SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER, 1997

upon finishing her prayers, Therese would find herself so enlight ened that it surprised her.

What does all of this signify? Let us use technical terms.

Properly said, it is infused contemplation; it is the habitual "quiet"; it is the frequent "union," the first degree of contemplative perfec tion; we are in the presence of the summits of ecstasy. Why all of these explanations, which may seem superfluous?

the summit of glory. By her simple writings she has conquered more hearts for Christ than the most famous preachers with their sermons. She has converted prodigious multitudes of souls. How certain it is that, in order to sanctify oneself and become an apostle, before all else it is necessary to abandon oneself to the action of grace. n - Correspondence to grace

For several serious reasons.

Before all else, it is necessary to vindicate Saint Therese in face

Since the lime she was little, Therese had wanted to become a

of certain fumbling admirers who, under the fallacious pretext of making her more accessible, minimize the gifts she received^ These

saint. She had always felt a secret certainty that this desire would be

unhappy souls forget that such privileged prayers are jiot rare. Jf

to be fcagye and small. She was, as she liked to say, but a "little

many do not attain this perfection it is, in

fulfilled. She knew, nevertheless, her own weakness; she felt herself while flower."

the words of Saint Teresa of Avila, much

How, then, could she, being so fragile,

less because God has rejected them than because of their lack of correspondence. I is fitting to recall at this point a truth very

climb the arduous surhmits of sanctity? Would

little known in our days: When God des tines a certain soul to exercise a profound

supernatural influence. He raises it up to; these slates of prayer. Without this succor it

is very difficult to become, in the province of the Church, a first-rate apostle. Let us, then, safeguard the great lesson the Saint of Lisieux gives us. Prayer is

indispensable for attaining sanctity and the

exercise of a fruitful apostolate. Unfortunately, prayer is not duly appre

he renounce her desire for perfection, fright ened by such a sizable undertaking? Certainly not. She would surmount this difficulty with er clear good sense. As she relates in her autobiography, she

iSought an "elevator" to make up for her weak ness. She sought it patiently and with untiring constancy. Finally she recalled the consoling

ords of the Scriptures:"You shall be carried at he breasts, and upon the knees they shall caress you. As one whom the mother caresseth,so will comfort you, and you shall be comforted in

erusalem."ÂŽ Her spirit was illuminated and she

of respect and fear, as if it were an archae

exclaimed,"Thine arms, O Jesus, are the eleva tor by which I will ascend to Heaven!" And she

ological artifact or a museum piece. Some flee from it, saying that they are incapable

on the contrary, I should remain small, even to

ciated. Some .see it from afar with a mixture

of meditation. I realize that this so-salut

exercise is sometimes made complicated, but is it not quite easy to converse, heart to heart, with the good Master, to remain in

His presence like a poor beggar who j implores the bread of grace and love? Others cut their prayers short under the,^

pretext of zeal. This evaluation is erro-"" ' neous. They lose themselves in sterile .

activities because they do not know the"' V..n. words of the Savior. They are not entirely united to the grapevine; their branches bear scant fruit. This practical disdain for prayer

has, in part, produced the sad century we livVin. a ceiihiry of'tri'

added,"For this, it is not necessary that I grow; the point of growing ever smaller." With this innocent and charming image, Saint Ther&se of the Child Jesus offers us a

spiritual doctrine in accord with the highest the ology. In order to sanctify ourselves, it is

Vgpough that we correspond to grace with per fect docility. Now, the ideal of this correspon.dence is found in the way of spiritual infancy. A child is a flower of love. It blooms only an atmosphere of tenderness; the perfume it y emits is nothing but love. A child is innocent,

*. trustful love; simple self-abandoning love, j. This is the model chosen by our de; She would practice "confident love, generous love."

umphant mediocrities and disoriented hearts.

At the time Therese of the Child Jesus passed away in Lisieux,

the theories known by the name of "Americanism"^ were beginning to spread. The partisans of this doctrine wanted a new spirituality

On the occasion of the great prodigy of the miraculous draft of fish, Peter exclaimed with fright: "Depart from me, for I am a sin ful man, O Lord!"^ Jesus answered smiling, "Fear not."" Christ demands our love, but where there is a lack of confidence and fear,

love Is feeble. In the words of the apostle Saint John, perfect chari

for the new times. They ignored that which is the very base of con templative life; they despised what they disparagingly called the "passive virtues." Pope Leo XIII solemnly condemned these fatal

ty eliminates fear: "Perfect charity casteth out fear."^

errors.

in absolute confidence. She founded her confidence solely on faith.

The years went by, and the Americanists did not manage the con quests they had foretold, nor did they change the face of the world. And behold, the young Carmelite who died in obscurity has attained

His unlimited power at the service of His tenderness for us. The beautiful prayer of the "Our Father" enchanted her. At times, the

If this is true, then Th6r5se was outstanding in love, for she lived

She believed that God is an infinitely good Father, who places

Centenary

novices found her in her cell with her coun

tenance illuminated by the joy swelling her

she sang in one of her best known poems, she

soul; she was repeating in spirit the touch

worked, prayed, and suf

ing words of the Lord's prayer.

fered "only for the day at hand." As regards the

She believed that Christ is the Divine Friend. She knew about the treasures of

sufferings of the mor

charity hidden in His adorable heart. She

row, she knew that God

did not doubt His love even in the severest

would send her the suc

trials.

cor necessary to endure

The words of the apostle were com pletely fulfilled in her: She confided blind ly in the love God bears us.'Â° She knew that everything He sends us, the joys as well as

them.

the sorrows, is for our greater good. She received everything from His hand as pre

Her confidence

expected everything from the celestial

Father. She felt

immense desires rise

cious gifts of His infinite tenderness. Finally, she believed in mercy. Her con

up in her soul. She

fidence was not vainly founded on her own

great saint; she want-'

merits. She knew that we are nothing in face of unlimited grandeur. She relied solely

ed to conquer a mul

wanted to become a

titude of souls for

upon the ineffable compassion of the

God; after her death,

Celestial Father. With the enthusiasm that

she wanted to let fall

still vibrates in the pages of her history, she

from Heaven a shower

declared it clearly: It was not because she had been preserved from mortal sin that she

these desires to Our Lord,

had so much confidence. She knew the pas sionate love that Christ has for poor sinners. In the Gospel, we see Him pardon Mary

of roses. She confided and the Master fulfills them

by means of innumerable prodi gies.

Magdalene and promise His kingdom to the

She also trusted Him to alleviate her suf

Good Thief. The soul-stirring cry of the Savior resounded in the depths of her heart:

ferings, if He so pleased. Late one after

"For the Son of Man is come to seek and to

save that which was lost."" She well knew

brought her some blankets to help her pass the night. The little Saint, consumed by

that our faults, as great as they may be, are

fever, thanked her with a smile; but interior

noon, shortly before her death, the nurse

devoured like straw by the divine fire burn

ly, with child-like simplicity, she made

ing in the heart of Christ, no matter how slightly we turn to Him. She also knew that

known to the Savior the need she had to

all of us, even the most pure, are creatures. With lively faith and profound humility, she relied on her own destitution to victoriously

quench her thirst. And behold, a short time later, and contrary to her routine, the nurse

returned with some cool water. Touched by

fourteen

understanding

the solicitous delicacy of the Master, Therese wept gratefully. In an ultimate and splendid manifesta

how far eternal

confidence was unshakable. Thus, Therese

tion of confidence, Therese abandoned her

felt her soul invaded by that "river of peace"

self completely to Providence. In the twi

rewards exceed

of which Scriptures speak: "Behold I will bring upon her as it were a river of peace."'She did not permit that anything fright

to give you the choice of being cured or

touch the mercy of God.

Built upon this solid foundation, her

en her. What could possibly disturb her?

light of her life, she was asked: "Were God going to Heaven, what would you do?" "Oh!" she responded spiritedly, "I

The past, with its faults of old? With good sense, Therese observed that God, infinitely just, has our poverty in mind. Moreover,she

herself to be borne in the arms of God as a

made of that poverty a motive for confiding.

little child. Does not Our Lord know what is

What could possibly disturb her? The

present, at times so laden with suffering and anguish? On the contrary, she saluted in the cross the regal gift of divine Love.

Again, what could possibly disturb her?

would not choose anything."

fices of this

She possessed true wisdom; she allowed

life, I yearned

best for us? Let us not lose the salutary les son Therese of the Child Jesus gives us. Let us moor our souls on a truly robust faith. May we have faith in the love of Christ

The uncertain future, which held for her

for us. He spilled His precious blood for us to the last drop. After giving evidence of

such sorrowful perspectives? Therese lived

such excessive tenderness, how could He

from day to day, from minute to minute. As

refuse us goods infinitely less than this?

SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER, 1997

the petty sa

to love God

passionately

"How beautiful is our \

to preserve 'the salt of t

sacrifices for the apostle;

M f .

1 ',k

May we have faith in the mercy

While still very young, she offered her

of the Master. Was it not in order

self to the Child Jesus as if she were a "lit^

to rapiate our sins that He took

tie ball." that He

plav with her as

ori"4lc5^'likfl51irs^^ssumed ^ wished and^'^^emse'cf'her according tO" * heart like ours?

.,.1 stood on

translates itself into the heroic resignation

sublime truths in a practical way.

this saint practiced during her life and

In the moment of trial, let us not

which she did not restrict merely to words.

grumble; let us contemplate with eyes illuminated by the Faith the hand that, for our own good, momentarily mortifies us. After

When her suffering intensified, Therese Himself, had rent the "little ball." and she

considered herself happy for having enter

having fallen, let us raise ourselves

tained Him even at this cost. Does one see

many children who at ten or twelve years of age practice virtue as solid as this?

It is vibrant faith in the merciful Love of Jesus that has made the saints.

trodden by the

thought that Jesus, in order to amuse

up promptly, and throw ourselves into His adorable arms, opened wide to welcome us. If only we understood how ardently the Savior desires to clasp us to His heart!

the very soil

His adorable will. This gracious image

May we have faith in these

Later on, in the prayers of her adoles cence, she asked Our Lord not to be irritat

ed with her, promising Him that she would

accept everything generously. Some time afterward, she consecrated herself as a vic tim of holocaust to Merciful Love. Let the reader not be alarmed at the

Apostles and

False spirituality seeks only the delights of

word victim. Therese was sufficiently hum ble not to suppose that God's justice, so

the interior life, and flees from its difficul

offended by the sins of men, could be

True love is confident and generous.

bedewed with

ties. It wants to receive, but refuses to give.

assuaged by her own merits. She po too much good sense to acquaint -

the blood of

Saint Ther^se of Lisieux gave magnifi cently. She did not barter with God; she held nothing back. She offered the Most High the most precious of what she had,

dissatisfied with everything and everyone

that which constituted her moral personali ty. In the dawn of her early infancy, when her reason was scarcely awakened,she gave

except themselves, not understanding that they are frequently the martyrs of their own

Martyrs, and my soul grew

strong by con

holy things.'

meet, souls that groan, always complaining,

imagination and cowardice. No, Therese's action had nothing like that. She understood

nificent gift. On her deathbed she affirmed

the immense desire of the Sacred Heart of

that since she was three years old she had never refused the good God anything. Is this not the very essence of sanctity? Through out her life .she undoubtedly varied the for

Jesus to pour out the adorable love swelling His heart. In order to please Him, she offered Him her soul disengaged of her own free will, that He might dispose of it through His divinely jealous love. She knew that the Lord is a "consuming fire"'^ and

yet it remained substantially the same.

with such "victim souls" as we sometimes

Him her will. She never took back this mag

mulas with which she expressed this gift,

tact with those

^^d

CRUSADE

cation! We Carmelites are called

^ earth,' to offer our prayers and

Df the Lord."

that the ineffable martyrdom of charity brought with it terrible sufferings. But even thus far she gave herself; she gave herself entirely. She wanted to live and to die out of

love. And how much tenderness she placed on that gift!

It is good to accept the crucifying will of God without complaint, but to accept it with passive resignation is even better. Even this was not enough for Therese's generosity;

with a certain bitterness. Why is it, they ask,

my entire being. Give me only Thy love and

that a child such as little Therese received

Thy grace: with this I am rich enough; I ask

so many graces and I continue to languish

nothing more of Thee."

in my tepidity? Why? First, because God is God. He dis

poses of His gifts with sovereign liberty. We may add with harsh frankness: Be as gener ous as was the Saint of Lisieux and God

will fill you to overflowing with His favors, as He did her.

she accepted with joy. She felt that to act in any other way would be a lack of thought-

Let us give ourselves, then, to the divine Master entirely and without reserve. Let us

fulness towards the Lord. If I may dare say trial, but if He does so, it is for our own

give Him our intelligence and our will. Let us say to Him that we deliberately and sin cerely renounce our own will, in order to

good. Therefore, Saint Therese sought to

lose ourselves in His adorable Will. Let us

smile in the face of trials. She fought to suc

ask Him to preserve us in this state of offer ing, for without Him we can do nothing. Above all, let us not revoke our offering.

.so, it is as if God is compelled to send us the

ceed perfectly, and she needed time, but in

the end, she gained the victory. She took still another step; To the smile she added a hymn. And the heavier the

cross, the more melodious her hymn. She progressed so marvelously in this way that the trials gladdened her. Let us

When a soul seriously fulfills such a res

olution, the respon.se of Christ is not long in coming, The soul soon feels itself invaded by divine action, and enters on the way of spiritual progress. It is a fact that experience

We will end this chapter with a trait of her infancy, described by Saint Therese in her autobiographical writings.

When she was still very little, she would climb the staircase of her parents' home, stop on each step, and call. "Mama, Mama!" She would continue to climb only after hearing her mother respond, "Come, my little daughter." What a marvelous symbol of Thdrese's

interior life! In every one of her actions she gazed towards the divine Master; she did

nothing without the stimulus of His grace, and did everything to please Him. This is the model we should imitate. Let us remain ever close to the Savior:

take refuge in His arms in complete

understand well that this joy is a joy of pure will, which does not suppress the feeling of

has proven a thousand times over. Indeed, is this not the counsel that He

donment; let us give ourselves over to Hiin entirely. It is thus that we will follow the method of Therese, her way of confidence

pain. During her final illness, she was asked: "Why do you seem so content this

gave to Blessed Angela de Foligno? "I loye," He said, "with an immense love the

and love. This "little way" leads to great sanctity; the Church has certified it by can

morning?" to which she responded with all sincerity,"It is because I had two sufferings. Nothing causes me so much joy as do my little sufferings."

soul"that loves Me without deceit."''' Is this not the advice of Saint John of the

onizing the young Carmelite.

Cross when he ded^d that it is necessary to lose everything^Lorder tp gain evei7-

HI - Carmelite sanctity

Do we measure well the degree of hero

ism such resignation entails when practiced for an entire lifetime?

We sometimes find slightly envious souls who question the Divine predilections

SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER, 199

thing? Is this likewise

Ignatius, when he caus ing in his retreats to prayer: "0 Lord, take

An admirable variety reigns among the unsel of Saint

ose participate auti

liberty,

saints. The vinue of a king, such as Saint uis IX, is not the same as that of one who

comes a beggar by choice, such as Saint enedict Joseph Labre. The perfection of an

Centenary

attempt to read his works,looking upon them from a dis tance with a kind of superstitious fear.'They prefer insipid authors who make the piety of the faithful ane mic. Therese of the Child Jesus did not fall into this error.

A true Carmelite, she read the writings of that great saint, loved them, and made of them, after the Gospel, her prin

cipal nourishment. She knew them so well that one could

say she knew them by heart, and she quotes them fre quently. When her superiors commanded her to write the story of her life, entire passages and verses from the "Spiritual Canticle" flowed from her pen. Therese did not content herself merely with studying the doctrine of Saint John of the Cross; she lived it or, to

put it precisely, "it lived in her." It is absolutely necessary at this point that we sum marize this doctrine, for we cannot understand Sister

Therese's supernatural physiognomy perfectly without it. Saint John of the Cross begins with a solid principle that serves as the basis for his doctrine. The perfect union of

the soul with God â&#x20AC;&#x201D; the mystical love that is a fusion of hearts â&#x20AC;&#x201D; occurs only in a pure and completely disinter ested faith. The Holy Ghost assures us of this in Sacred

Scripture, saying to the privileged soul, "I will espouse thee to me in faith.""

Are the conclusions derived from this principle not already evident? If pure faith alone unites us to God in the contemplative embrace, to attain this end it is evi

dently necessary to renounce everything that is not this faith. According to the expression of the holy author, it is

necessary to "go calling out," to go calling for the wellbeloved Master, to withdraw from creatures and from oneself. Therefore, the soul that thirsts for divine union

old man, like the great Saint Anthony of the Desert, is not the same

should first, by its own efforts and the assistance of grace, rid itself of any natural pursuit, of any attachment no matter how small, and of any spirit of property. It must purify

as that of a young man like Saint Stanlislaus Kostka. The sanctity

and mortify its interior movements, emptying itself of all that is not

of a lay person is not that of a priest or bishop. Each of these sub

of God.

lime heroes of Christian life has his own supernatural physiogno

But this first operation realized by the soul is not enough. It is necessary that the Lord intervene directly in a very special manner. It is necessary that by means of sorrowful aridity God free the soul

my.

In this booklet, I intend to study the particular sanctity of little

Sister Ther^se. We saw how God formed her soul through suffer

ing and prayer. We saw with what confident and generous love she corresponded to the action of grace in her soul. We must now examine the result of this mysterious collaboration. Therese's virtue bears the mark of her religious order. Her soul

from its habitual manner of prayer. It is absolutely necessary that He force the soul to disengage itself from its imagination an ' -^nsibility. Since God is simple and infinite. He cannot commui Himself to us perfectly by means of sensible forms. Finally, ii i.s necessary that, by means of an obscure and dolorous flame, God

is a privileged flower that blossomed on the heights of Mount Carmel where she fully drank the warm rays of the divine sun. She lived solely for love, and now it is the inebriating perfume of love

Everything here should reassure those timorous spirits who are frightened by Saint John of the Cross. Our holy author does not risk

that she exudes. Our dear Saint is a true daughter of Saint John of

exciting the unhealthy imaginations of certain persons. On the con

the Cross and of Saint Teresa of Avila.

root out all bad inclinations.

trary, he professes an enormous suspicion regarding the imagina

tion. If he has high esteem for infused and obscure contemplation, he flees with a kind of terror from interior words, visions, and pri vate revelations. These extraordinai^ favors pass through sensible In our days, how little known is the great Saint John of the Cross, mystical writer, so methodical, clear, and profound! How poorly understood he is! Many are turned aside and isolate them

selves from him because of strange preconceptions; they dare not

forms, and are consequently subject to illusion. He greatly prefers simpler prayer in which the soul, recollected and lost in the pres ence of God, is inflamed with a most ardent love for God.

The soul penetrates into the profound prayer of which we spoke

CRUSADE

Centenary

in the first chapter in the measure that these active and passive purifications progress. It receives in succession the favors of recollection, quiet, and union. It ascends even more if the divine Master

calls it to the dizzying heights of ecstasy and spiri tual matrimony, which not all Saints attain.

In that we have summarized as briefly as possi ble the essential aspects of the doctrine of Saint John of the Cross. Therese of the Child Jesus understood this doc

trine marvelously. Once a novice confided her inte rior dispositions to her. This novice, finding herself still far from her goal, exclaimed in her generous ardor,"How far I have yet to go!" Our Saint replied vividly, "Oh! Above all say, 'How much 1 have yet to lose!'" Indeed, to penetrate the divine mystery it is nec

essary to lose everything including ourselves. Therese of the Child Jesus practiced this doc

trine, ridding herself of everything. She mortified her flesh by means of fasts, vigils, and austerities.

She mortified her curiosity. One night she felt a hot regurgitation reach her lips. She was elated, knowing that it might announce the approach of death, but she waited until morning to verify that it was blood that had reddened her handkerchief.

She mortified her imagination. A religious once showed her a figure of some angels dressed in white

and with palms in their hands, to which she responded smiling: "These images do me no good; I feed myself only with truth." She mortified her sensibility. For many years in the Carmel she constantly worked alongside the sis ter who in times past had served as her mother. Yet, she never committed a fault against silence, nor did

she ever take advantage of these encounters to man

ifest her tenderness and open her heart to her sister. As Saint John of the Cross wished, she truly

withdrew from herself; she "went out calling" to the divine Master: "Reveal Thy presence, and may Thy sight and Thy kindness make me die.""' God

responded to the appeal of His privileged daughter. He purified her in the "night," in aridity, in trials, and in the terrible temptation against the Faith. Afterwards, He caused her to penetrate into the depths of prayer, of which we treated earlier. On the way to sanctity, Therese of the Child

Jesus climbed, one by one, all the steps described

by Saint John of the Cross. She is his true spiritual daughter, in all the strength of the expression.

She is also a true daughter of the great Saint Teresa of Avila. The Carmelites of Lisieux call

attention to this particular fact: The portraits drawn by the contemporary biographers of the illustrious

SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER, 1997

reformer apply in almost every detail to Saint-Therese. I do not concern myself with whether or not these two Saints resembled one another physically, but I do know that there is a striking sim ilarity between their two souls. Teresa of Avila is the "Saint of Love." Who was consumed

with more ardent charity? An angel pierced her heart with a fiery dart; the evidence of this wound can be clearly seen even today in her miraculously incorrupt heart. From whom did the fire of divine passion at times elicit more

sublime and vibrant cries? One may read the "Exclamations," which burst from her soul after she "had received Holy

Communion. Hastily written as notes then, today they fill us with admiration.

Who lived with Christ in more profound intimacy? Jesus raised her up to Himself, took her as His spouse, desired that their spirits merge in a mysterious union. Teresa of Avila con versed with the divine Master in respectful familiarity. On a day

of a particularly painful trial, Our Lord said to her,'This is how 1 treat My friends." The Saint responded with trusting boldness, "It does not surprise me. Lord, that Thou hast so few!" Christ felt an infinitely touching kindness toward His servant. The

â&#x2013; ".

...L.

.i * w

reformer's great work was once in danger of collapse; powerful enemies implacably sought to ruin her. Desolate, Saint Teresa felt her strength wane, But Jesus appeared to her; He encouraged her; He sweetly obliged her to take nourishment; His conde scension went so far that He broke the bread Himself and hand

ed it to her. He rekindled her ardor and communicated to her an

indomitable energy.

Whose actions gave better evidence of the intensity of their love? The Saint of Avila lived only for God. She divided her time in two parts; one was consecrated to prayer, the other to arduous work that surpasses our imagination. She traversed Spain and covered it with monasteries. She built houses; took charge of

numerous alfairs; maintained an immense correspondence, writ

ing to bishops, to princes, to the King. Nothing deterred the impetus of her zeal, because an overflowing charity inspired it.

All of this did not prevent her from dedicating entire hours every day to the most elevated contemplation. This holy Mother is the "Saint of Love" par excellence. Like her, Therese of the Child Jesus is also a saint of love. She understood that the Church is an organized body. It has a head,

which is its Chief; it has arms, which work in the apostolate. Therese of Lisieux eagerly desired to become the heart of the Church. Her vocation was to love; to love only Christ, fully and passionately.

She permitted her love to flow into her writings. She expressed particu larly moving exclamations wherein we recognize the echo of those given forth in times past by the virgin of Avila. She proved this love by the gen erosity of her virtue. She would like to have proven it even by working in a

pagan land for the salvation of souls. When preparations to establish a Carmel in Saigon were underway, she was one of the first to offer herself for this distant foundation.

Teresa of Avila is the "Saint of the Apostolate." If she reformed the Order of Carmel, was it not for rekindling the flame of zeal, for reviving the fire that

consumed the ancient prophets? She lamented the sad devastations wrought by heresies in those days. She wanted her daughters to become, by prayer, efficient cooperators with the clergy, a thought that frequently appears in her writings.

Saint Therese felt herself moved by the same zeal. Her thoughts continu ally turned towards the heroic missionaries who preached the Gospel to the infidels. At the end of her life, she had been ordered to walk every day in the

was to love:

Christ fully an

garden of the convent. She obeyed punctu

There are penances, she said, which are

ally; but she walked with such difficulty

possible in Spain but become harmful when

that a religious counselled her to desist

practiced in other climates; it is necessary

from this exercise. "No, no," she replied,

to take the latitudes into account. Upon

"with my sufferings I hope to obtain some relief for the poor missionaries so weak ened by fatigue that they drag themselves painfully throughout those distant lands."

reflecting

Teresa of Avila is the "Saint of Common

how

these

long-practiced

penances might have shaken the little Saint's health, we simultaneously admire her clear discernment and her courage in

enduring so much.

Sense." With what clarity and vivacity she warned her daughters concerning bad judg ment! If the reforming Saint had a maternal of Carmel with heroic perfection. She mer

poke fun at little feminine caprices. Here

ited, therefore, an ideal death.

with a smile, there with a firm word, she

In "The Living Flame of Love," the most

repressed the affectations of humility and poorly considered sacrifices. One sister, under the pretext of recollection, com plained about joining recreation on a great feast day; Teresa reprimanded her severely

sublime of his works. Saint John of the

She entered into ecstasy. The sister who

exclamation that marvelously reveals the

saw Christ Himself envelop her soul, after

spontaneity of her good sense: "From fool

which Teresa's soul flew to Heaven.

attended her, Anna of Saint Bartholomew,

The death of the dear Saint of Lisieux

would the great Saint say were she to come across certain writings of dull piety which circulate in our days? What would she think of certain printed religious images? One

happened likewise. The ecstasy illuminated

ignorant of the infinite Love, the immeasur able charity that took Christ to Calvary and made Him spill his Blood for us, even to the last drop?

and transfigured her face. Afterwards, her

body sank; the soul had freed itself in its final transport. IV -The Shower of Roses

What a contrast between the anonymity in which Saint Therese lived and the glory

shining over her tomb today! The world, which she abandoned while still young, did not know her. In her convent, the religious

loved her for her kindness and good dispo sition â&#x20AC;&#x201D; she was always smiling. But many did not imagine the treasures hidden in her soul. When Therese was agonizing, a young

of good sense. She showed herself inflexi ble in face of certain extravagances. One of

sister asked loudly: "Our little Si^nu- of the

the novices had a little tearful devotion.

anything admirable. What can we leii ui her

Saint Therese urged her to collect her tears in a seashell, as if they were

precious pearls. The cure was

SEPTEMBER-

The great Teresa of Avila died like this.

ish devotions, free us, O Lord!" What

Ther^se of Lisieux was likewise a saint

a love only passionate!

ecstasies. Their final canticle, like that of

There exists in the writings of Teresa of Avila a page that delights me. One chapter of The Way of Peifection ends with an

sublime and infinite truth? Is this not to be

Eler vocatio

platives. It is, he said, accompanied by a marvelous suavity. They die in admirable the swan, is the most melodious.

dare paint the heart red, but a bland rose color, the color of a lady's room, of an ane mic little girl. Is this not a parody of the

Ene the heart

Cross describes the death of true contem-

and gave her a penance.

such example depicts the Sacred Heart encircled by a crown of forget-me-nots with a symbolic dove above it. The artist did not

eux eagerly

Therese of the Child Jesus lived the life

heart, she also possessed a manly intelli gence; she did not hesitate to delicately

prompt and radical.

Child Jesus is enchanting, but she

did

in her biographical notice?" The Saint died, and her radiant figure

captivates hearts. The number of her admir ers grows incessantly. Her reputation

Therese judged things soundly. She kept her opinions to her

extends beyond the borders of France. The

self, but she also expressed them with all simplicity if her superiors so

ed eveiywhere: from Europe, from the most

requested. Thus it was

her to the honor of the altars, the Catholic

multitude of those devoted to her is recruit

distant regions, as far as the mission coun

tries. When the Sovereign Pontiff elevated

that on her deathbed she

world trembled with immense joy. All this

revealed what she thought

because Therese bears the aureole of the

about certain austerities.

wonder workers on her brow. The power of

Centenary her intercession is so marvelous that one

into fervent charity. She gave peace to all,

rarely finds a similar avalanche of miracles in

that delightful peace that surpasses all senti

the history of the Saints. From the heights of Heaven, Therese clearly exercises a beneficent mission. A

ments. In the past she awed her companions

curious thing â&#x20AC;&#x201D; and here her prophetic spir

But that is not all. Point by point, the

it is clearly apparent â&#x20AC;&#x201D; is that she foresaw

Saint fulfilled all of her promises: She came down! More than once she appeared sur

this mission and announced it many times prior to her death. During one of her last evenings on this earth, she said, "I feel that my mission is going to begin, my mission to make God

loved as I love Him...of giving my little way to souls." The angelic child added words that so contributed to popularize her memory: "I wish to pass my Heaven doing good on earth." In other circumstances she declared,

"After my death I will let .fall a shower of

roses." To a religious who was saddened by

rounded by a silver light and caused the sound of her voice to be heard. With even

greater frequency, without showing her glory, she made her presence felt by means of perfumes unknown on earth, in which the fragrances of roses and incense intermingled. That these prodigious and well-corroborated manifestations continue is itself a rare, if not unique, phenomenon.

Perhaps the most surprising aspect of the miracles of our Saint, one which demon

her departure and asked her to watch over her

strates their supernatural origin, is their

from the heights of Heaven, she responded,

clearly

"I will come down."

dreamed of during her life came to be after

She herself confessed that an interior

apostolic character. What she

her death: Therdse became a great converter

voice consoled her. The Saints encouraged

of souls.

her saying; "While you are still enfettered, you cannot fulfill your mission; but later,

greatest importance, and how much we need

after you have died, your time of conquests will be fulfilled."

Therese was not deceived. Events con-

with the charm of her smile; now,"she sends us her smile from Heaven.

firrned these prophecies. Therese let fall from Heaven a

marvelous shower of roses.

Everywhere, the miracles attributed to her intercession followed one another without

Providence thus gives us a lesson of the it! In our days, even the best are frequently victims of a deplorable error: They confuse action with agitation. While moved by an indisputable zeal, they want to do good, but in their works they include that trembling

ceasing.

note so characteristic of our century; they seem to rely more on their natural action than on divine grace. Is the cause of our few suc

First, there were the temporal favors. Th6rese is actively occupied with her devo

cesses, not to mention our failures, not to be found in this practice?

tees. She cures their illnesses when the doc

complicated affairs, effects unheard-of prodi

May we have the courage to face the truth. Whatever their fecundity, our "works," although very numerous, never seem to give

gies. In favor of an afflicted Carmelite, she

the fruits corresponding to the immense efforts

multiplied the bank notes in a sealed enve lope. Throughout the wars, she demonstrated her powerful protection: She saved some

teachings of the Faith and of history. What does the Faith tell us? By ourselves,

from grave dangers; for others, against all expectations, she obtained the precious suc

we can do nothing; we haven't the capacity to convert a single soul, to move a

tors have lost all hope. She resolves the most

we make. It is because we too often forget the

cor of the Sacraments.

heart; the help of grace is absolutely

But above all, she granted spiritual favors. How many impressive conversions

sary. We are but little instruments in the

her prayers obtained! It seems as if Our Lord

this, writing to the Corinthians: "I have

hands of God. The Apostle well understood

refuses nothing to the one who so loved Him while on earth. Some Protestants reading the story of her life felt inspired: A sweet and mysterious force opened their eyes and led them to the truth. In the mission countries,

sure in earthen vessels, that the excellency

planted, Apollo watered, but God gave the increase."" Becau.se God is jealous of His glory. He desires that every apostolic success be attributed to Him: "But we have this trea

pagans felt moved to embrace the Faith while

may be of the power of God, and not of us.""*

gazing upon her printed image. Therese did not forget the Catholics: She managed to lead them to the long-neglected practice of their

apostles were great contemplatives. John the

religious duties; she shook off their torpor and transformed their lamentable tepidity

the Jordan, but in the desert he led a life of

What does history teach us? The great Baptist drew the multitudes to the banks of

prodigious recollection and penance. The

CRUSADE

Centenary apostles transformed the world, but when

through the intercession of His young ser

reserve. Let us open wide to Him the portal

the material side of the ministry absorbed

vant?

of our hearts; He will inundate them with

them, they established the diaconate. For themselves, after having prayed at length, they reserved the mission of preaching.

By nature, a miracle is a sign. It mani

graces and form them with His divine

fests celestial intervention in an unequivo cal manner. It is by miracles that God lends credence to the extraordinary missionaries

"It is necessary," Therese used to say, "to

par excellence of modem times, but in the

He sends to men. When He wishes to sanc

conquer Jesus with caresses, and to cast at

midst of weighty occupations and without losing his interior peace, he found a way to

tion His doctrine. He recognizes it with the

His feet the flowers of small sacrifices." In

fulgurant signature of a miracle. To the evil

a word, to forget ourselves, to think only of

spend several hours before the Blessed Sacrament every day. The holy Cure of Ars

Pharisees, who obstinately denied His

Him, act only for Him, lose ourselves in

Messianic character, Our Lord countered

Him. And to do so with love, confidence.

attended more than one hundred thousand

with His miracles; "The works themselves

The divine Master is adorably good. His

penitents a year, but his life, wholly dedi

which I do give testimony of me, that the

tenderness desires only the best for us.

cated to God, was an uninterrupted prayer. Shall I cite other examples when before our eyes we have Jesus, the Divine Model? The Savior consecrated thirty years of His earthly life to contemplation, but dedicated only three to His public life. Even in those three years of public life, while preaching during the day, at night He retired to the hills to pray. In confiding an apostolic mission to Therese, did the Most High not wish to call our attention to the necessity of the interior life? To accomplish His work, He chose a

Father hath sent me."'^

What, therefore, could disturb us?

Saint Vincent de Paul is the man of action

Now, the doctrine of our Saint is very

precise. During her life, she explained it to the novices, adorning it with the refreshing colors of her gracious imagination. Now, from on high, she calls us to follow her "lit tle way," which led to such glory. This doc

hands.

Let us seek to please Him in everything.

The future? But the overflowing charity of Jesus prepares it. Let us abandon our selves blindly into His arms, as a child in the arms of its father.

The past? But our imperfections, even our faults, do not repel Him from us, pro

only for love is to conquer Heaven at a swift pace and by means of a shorter way. There

vided that we are sincerely sorry for having offended Him and recognize that we can do nothing without Him. The present? At times it bears contradic tions, pain, and anguish. But these trials are the regal tokens of infinite Love. May we

young daughter, a cloistered religious, a contemplative, who preferred an act of

is nothing painful about this way; there is

know how to receive them with a smile

nothing easier, nothing more delightful,

upon our lips, with a canticle

renunciation to the great manifestations

than to love. Christ, in whom resides the

admired by the multitudes. O Saint Th6rese of the Child Jesus,

trine is summarized in two words: love and confidence.

We were made to love; this is our end, the end for which we were created. To act

plenitude of the Divinity, possesses all the victorious attractions of His

make us imitate thee! Obtain for us abun

adorable attributes and His holy

dant graces of the interior life so that our

apostolate might become, like thine, irre

humanity. Let us allow ourselves to be conquered by His infinite

sistibly efficacious.

charms. Let us give our wills

over

entirely

and

wi thout

The "little flower" of Lisieux is a great thaumaturgist.

Let us now pose a question, perhaps an audacious one, and seek to delve a bit into

the impenetrable designs of the Most High. Why was Our Lord pleased to perform so many prodigies

Him

Centenary Carmelite in one of her most famous apparitions.

of recognition in the depths of our hearts. Confidence such as this opens to us the treasures of divine gen

erosity; we will be attended in the measure of our hope. There are persons, versed in the spiritual sciences, who do not perceive the admirable profundity of this doctrine. They glance superficially upon the writings of the young Carmelite and smile with a mixture of pity and irony. In them they see naught save the gracious devotion of a young maiden! They do not allow themselves

to be conquered by the strength of her words; they do not perceive in those poetic forms the substance of a Saint Paul or a Saint John of the Cross. They do not tremble with joy at seeing the sublime doctrine of love through annihilation of oneself adorned with allur ing colors. How odd, these wise ones! They smile at this profound doctrine and prefer those second-rate devotions in which spiritual progress consists of scrupulous calculations written on little scraps of paper. For the good of souls, it was necessary that this state of things change. God intervened and confirmed this doctrine with innumer able miracles.

Therefore, let us fearlessly follow the little way of Th^rese. This way is certain. The Saint solemnly confirmed it to an Italian

This way is swift. It leads us quickly to true perfection. How beautiful our lives would become, how fruitful our efforts

would be, what peace would enter our souls, were we to abandon ourselves without reserve to the Most Merciful Love of Jesus Christ!

In ending this brief study, let us ask Saint Therese of the Child Jesus to let fall abundantly over us her beneficent "shower." Let us

ask of her the temporal favors we most need. Let us ask of her, above all, supernatural graces, the roses of divine Love. An act of perfect charity is more useful to the Church than some ostentatious work done without love. Therese now carries out the

conquest of the world because she was a contemplative and her heart burned with love.

Saint Therese of the Child Jesus, grant that we may understand and live for Love. Thou who art so powerful and so good, obtain even this favor for us, which our bold misery implores: after having â&#x2013;

lived solely for love, grant that one day we might die in it.

1. John 15:5.

found in mystics of contem

Church adapt Herself, making

2. Translator's note: The

plative life.

concessions in tendencies and

13. Deut. 4:24. 14. Le Livre des Visions et

reader will frequently encounter the word ecstasy in

4. 1 John 11:27.

principals condemned by the Church. See the encyclical

this work. Regarding this phe

5. Translator's note: This

Testem Benevolentiae of

Bienheiireuse Angele de Foligno, 6th ed.(Paris: Tralin),

January 22, 1899.

p. 69.

3. Luke 24:26.

Instructions de la

nomenon, theologians say that

was a doctrine promoted by

it consists of a state of soul in

Fr. Isaac Hecker and wide

6. Isaias 66:13.

which the senses become dis

spread at the end of last cen tury, especially in the United States. Intending to lead back

7. Luke 5:8. 8. Luke 5:10. 9. 1 John 4:18.

17. 1 Cor. 3:6.

to the Church those separated

10. I John 4:16.

18. 2 Cor. 4:7.

from Her, followers of this

11. Luke 19:10.

19. John 5:36.

doctrine proposed that the

12. Isaias 66:12.

engaged from material things and all that pertains to them.

The soul then rises up in con templation of divine things. This special state is generally

15. Osee 11:12.

16. Saint John of the Cross, Spiritual Canticle.

About the Author Fr. Raymond de Thomas de Saint-Laurent, descended from an ancient and noble family of southern France, was bom in Lyons on May 7, 1879. Ordained in 1909, he led a productive priestly life, quickly distinguishing himself as a preacher and writer and carrying out prodi gious apostolic activity. Appointed to head the parish of Saint Perpetua in Nimes a year after his ordi nation, he was named honorary Canon of the Cathedral of Nimes in 1920 and became chaplain of the Carmel of Uzes five years later, serving in the last two capacities for more than twenty years. A doctor of theology and licentiate in letters, Fr.

Thomas de Saint-Laurent published over a dozen notable books on psychological the Eminent among these are The Dominion oj Otteself, On Timidity, and The Progressive and Complete Method of Psychological Learning. The last, translated into English, German, Spanish, and Italian, is a best-seller. His numerous pedagogical and spiritual works include The Book of Confidence, published in French, English, Portuguese, and Spanish, The Virgin Mary, With Jesus Suffering, and a collection titled Souls of the Saints. Fr. Raymond de Thomas de Saint-Laurent died in Uzes on November 11, 1949.

CRUSADE

History yard to others, His enemies immediately recognized themselves in the dreadful

Basic Hist^y Course

warning and yelled, "God forbid!" Remarkably, they understood Christ per fectly; so the failure to believe was not caused by intellectual difficulties but

because the truth ran contrary to their pas sions, in this particular case, envy. And so it would be throughout history.

MLIZATION by Jeremias Wells

CHAPTER

VIII

Jesus Christ: God, Savior, and King The Center of History

Jesus then clearly repeated the warnings in eight maledictions, the most devastating invective in the Gospel. "Woe to you.

Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites," He began each reprimand. He concluded that their fathers had rebelled against the prophets of God, but they would kill the Son of God and thus would fill the cup of malice. "You serpents!" He cried, "genera tion of vipers, how will you flee from the judgment of hell?" (Matt. 23:33). Thus Our

Lord completed His public teaching.

After this trying and eventful day, Our Lord and His Apostles left the Temple precinct for the last time. They climbed the Mount of Olives and sat down overlooking the Holy City as dusk approached. Unsettled by the severe denunciation hurled

against the impenitent Pharisees and the

Part IV

Passion, Death, AND

RES U R R E CT I O N

predicted destruction of the city, they asked Jesus when these things would be. Using the somewhat veiled terms of prophecy, He gave a comprehensive view of the Church

Militant up to the end of time.

Looking through the ages of history in a multiple perspective. He sees the enormous n seeing this tri umphal entry, the enemies

Our

Lord betrayed the

the pollution from His Father's house. In a

suffering of His Church; the heretics, the

cleverly arranged plot, Christ's enemies decided to attack in waves, one group com ing against Him after another, hoping to

persecutions, but also the perseverance, the

bitterness of their

wear Him down and force a mistake.

murderous

hearts

However, brilliantly and deftly, Jesus turned

complaining,

each thrust around and hurled it back

martyrs, and the grace of the Holy Ghost. He describes the agony of the dying Jewish nation in which Jerusalem and the Temple will disappear amidst tragic slaughter from revolutionary gangs within and the Roman armies without. Finally, without transition, Our Lord shifts to the final catastrophe

"behold the whole world goes after Him."

against them. The whole series of chal

Many of the rulers believed in Him, but

lenges ended in a complete victory for

refused to acknowledge it, for they realized

Christ. After that no one ventured to ask

where all nature will be consume '

the Pharisees would cast them out of the

Him any more questions. The infinite charity and mercy of Our

frightful cataclysm to be followed . Son of Man coming in His majesty and sit ting on His majestic throne of justice.

Synagogue. They preferred the approval of

man rather than the favor of God. Jesus

Lord was constantly in evidence in these

closed this day of love, hatred, hope, and fear by going to the Temple, not to teach

troubled days. Although He saw the terrible

Throughout these times, mankind will be

evil and murderous desires in the hearts of

affected by famines, wars, epidemics, and other frightening phenomena, Again resort ing to parables, Jesus emphasized the

this time, but to be in.stalled as Messias-

His enemies. He made every effort to deter

King.

them from their monstrous crime.

Early in Holy Week

bandmen whom God had placed over His

we never know when the end may suddenly

beloved Israel. When He sent His servants

He told the parable of the wicked hus

necessity of living in the state of grace, for

In the first days of Holy Week, Our Lord

to collect the fruits in His Name, they beat

arrive and find us unprepared. After having their snaies of entrapment

finished His public teaching. Again the

and murdered them. Then He sent His most

exposed by the wisdom of Our Lord and

Temple had become a scene of the worst

dear Son whom they also killed. When Christ finished by saying that God will destroy the husbandmen and give the vine

chief priests and Pharisees vowed all the more to kill Him. Their only problem was

type of dishonest banking and commerce, so as He had done once before, He drove

having suffered severe but just rebukes, the

CRUSADE

History how to apprehend Jesus away from the crowd, for they feared the people. Once

they had Him in custody, they could use

their expertise over public opinion to bring the people around to their destructive way of thinking. While they were deliberating, in walked

the miserable traitor Judas, who had given himself over to the devil. He supplied the

necessary inside information and assistance so Jesus could be arrested at night without arousing a riotous reaction. Last Supper

The Last Supper was an outpouring ban quet of intense love on the part of Jesus Christ for His Father in heaven, for the

Apostles who would soon share His fate, and for mankind whom He had come to

save. Only a few hours before His moral

agony of unrelieved spiritual suffering

Judas betrays the Divine Master with a kiss.â&#x20AC;&#x201D;Illustration by G. Dore

began, He made the ultimate gift. Just as

God gave Himself to us through His Son in the Incarnation of the Word, so also His Son

gave Himself to us in the Holy Eucharist. Those who follow Christ are obliged to make their love of Him the distinguishing characteristic of their lives. In order to

accomplish this union and elevate their spir itual lives, He gave them the means: His own body and blood. He took the bread in

His hands, blessed it, and said, "Take ye all and eat of this: for this is My body." After He had changed the wine into His blood. He

anguishes. Deep grief and intense agony began to crush Him. He stopped and groaned, "My soul is sorrowful even unto death, stay you here and watch with Me."

He staggered and fell face to the ground. All the enormous, unjust physical sufferings and humiliations He was about to undergo flashed before His eyes. Not only true God, but true man as well,

Christ's human nature struggled under the weight of His impending physical pain. But moreover, as Isaias had prophesied, He had taken upon himself "the iniquity of us all."

pray and thus would be scattered and Peter

would go so far as to deny Him. Shortly the treacherous Judas arrived with the temple guards and other riffraff and planted the kiss of betrayal on Our Lord's cheek. The motley gang bound Our Lord's hands and dragged the model of goodness off to be tried. Political circumstances

in Jerusalem

At the time of Our Lord's birth, the Jews

Me" (Luke 22:19). By this command He

He contemplated the hideousness of moral

labored under three jurisdictions, two polit ical and one religious. The Romans under

imparted to the Apostles the power of con

evil for which He was to pay the supreme

Pompey had conquered Palestine in 63

secration and made them priests of the New

price. He saw the will of the eternal Father

Law. God through Jesus Christ had made a

violated. His own divine self as Savior

B.C., but they customarily gave a certain amount of control to local leaders. By ingra

then said, "Do this for a commemoration of

new and better covenant with mankind.

rejected, denied, and hated, and the Church

tiating himself with Mark Antony and

Christ was now prepared to seal the New

persecuted. Reaching the apex of possible

Octavius (eventually Caesar Augustus),

Covenant with His sacrificial Blood on the

human suffering He turned to heaven for

Cross.

help. He went to His three favorite Apostles for consolation and found them sleeping.

Herod the Great became King of the Jews in 40 B.C. At his death 37 years later, the ruth

Agony in the Garden Now we enter into what one commenta

less monarch divided his kingdom

"Mig

"Watch and pray," He admonished them and

three sons, with Archelaus receiving a and Samaria and Herod Antipas Galilee and

returned to His agony. His moral torment

Perea. The Romans .soon tired of Archelaus

tor has called "the most significant twenty

reached the depth of His being and perspi

hours in history." At the closing of the Last

ration broke out in drops of blood. "Father, if Thou wilt, remove this chalice from me,

because of his cruelty and incompetence in handling the turbulent Jews and assumed

direct control over his states in A.D. 6, plac

but yet not. My will, but Thine be done"â&#x20AC;&#x201D;

ing them under the jurisdiction of a procu

Supper, the final instructions, and the poignant prayer to His Father, Christ led the

Apostles out into the midnight air. With the light of the full moon behind them, they climbed the Mount of Olives to the garden of Gethsemani. "Sit you here, till 1 go yon der and pray" (Matt. 26:36), He told the

the apex of affliction and complete renunci

rator or governor who answered to the pro

ation, the total holocaust. His human will

consul in Syria.

malicious tortures that would accompany it.

in the Supreme Council (Sanhedrin), con

Apostles, and then He proceeded on further

Christ had triumphed.

trolled the religious and social life of the

into the grove with only Peter, James, and John

toward

desolation

SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER, 1997

and

terrible

was brought into conformity with the will

Although normally antagonistic to each

of His Father in accepting death and the

other, the Sadducees and Pharisees, sitting

He returned to the three and found them

Jews. However, at the time of Jesus' so-

still sleeping. They had not the courage to

called trial in A.D. 30. the imposition of the

History

Our Lord Jesus Christ stands before the High Priest Caiphas. death penalty remained a Roman preroga

facial disfigurement, Our Lord nevertheless

tive.

replied with noble presence, "If I have spo

spitting and slugging of the noble and infi nitely majestic face began.

ken evil, give testimony of the evil; but if Jesus before the High Priest Caiphas

well, why strikest thou Me?"(John 18:23). False witnesses were brought forward,

In the early morning hours, Christ was yanked and pushed back down the Mount of

but they were so obviously inept and deceit ful that they had to be dismissed. Caiphas, losing control of the hearing to the infinite

Jesus before Pilate The leaders of the Sanhedrin then

brought Jesus before Pilate to extract from

him the death penalty. Early in his investi gation the Roman procurator asked, "Art thou a king?" Jesus emphatically replied, "I

Olives and up to Jerusalem and brought before the high priest. The illegal, unjust, and malicious proceedings that followed

truth standing before him, forced the issue by demanding through his authority as high

priest, "Art thou the Christ, the Son of

am a King. For this was I bom, and for this

cannot be characterized as a trial but rather

God?" To which Our Lord answered, I am,"

as a conflict between the "unrestrained

and then added, "you shall see the Son of

I came into the world that I should gi' â&#x2013; tes timony to the truth." In the midst

exercise of what is lowest in man" and "the

Man sitting at the right hand of the power of

Passion, here and before Caiphas, He

majesty and fearlessness of truth and inno

God, and coming with the clouds of heav

affirmed that He was Ruler of all human

cence."

en"(Mark 14:62).

society in a manner which did not conflict

Jesus had emphatically affirmed under oath that He was the supernatural Son of

connected this royal dignity with the

God. Heretofore, Christ had refused to

Redemption.

Jesus had already been condemned. What followed was an attempt to find a pre text to force the governor, Pontius Pilate, to

with the earthly power of Caesar, and He

execute Him.

answer such questions because the wily

When the high priest asked Our Lord about His teaching. He fearlessly declared that He had taught in the open and told him

Pharisees sought not the truth, but to con

after another to extricate himself from an

demn the truth. But with death only a few

embarrassing situation, for he knew Jesus was innocent. But the furor, obsession, and

to question those who had heard Him. In

cold malice, one of the temple guards slapped Jesus in the face. Suffering abject humiliation and now the beginning of His

hours away, He wanted the world to know that He was being martyred because of His

Pilate desperately tried one expedient

relentless pressure by the Jewish leaders on

divinity and to put a seal on all His teach ings. When the Sanhedrin condemned Him

the clamoring population finally wore down the unprincipled and vacillating governor.

as "worthy of death," the first round of the

In order to win some pity from those

CRUSADE

History completely devoid of pity, Pilate had

Bibliographical Note

Our Lord scourged and His body fur ther mutilated with a crown of thorns

Two multivolume works served

and more blows to the face. The Holy

as the foundation for this four-part study of Our Lord's relationship to history. Both theologian and histori an, Jules Lebreton places his Life and Teachings ofJesus Christ, 2

Shroud of Turin — which we consider

an authentic, historical document —

indicates the utter brutality of this tor ture.

vols.,(Milwaukee, 1935) within the

Crucifixion

great range and force of history. A. E. Breen has compiled in Harmonized Exposition of the Four Gospels, 4 vols.,(Milwaukee, 1930)

After the final pronouncement,

Jesus picked up His Cross and stag gered to the crucifixion. By now His tender and painful skin had been ripped entirely open, which caused an

a masterful work of biblical, histori

enormous loss of blood. When they drove the nails through His hands, they injured the great sensory nerves and caused a most horrible pain. The

Reginald Garrigou-Lagrange pro vided the theological insight for the

cal, and geographical scholarship.

Redemption in Christ the Savior (St. Louis, 1950) a commentary on

feet were nailed to the vertical mem

the third part of Saint Thomas's

ber with no additional support.

Summa Theologica.

While hanging from His hands,

Other outstanding biographies are Rev. L.C. Fillion, S.S. The Life of

Christ began to suffocate because of the awkward position into which He was forced. Then, using the nail through His feet as a fulcrum. He raised himself up so He could breathe again. Alternating between the two posi tions, He extended His life for three hours

at the cost of terrible suffering. Typically, Christ in His last moments of unendurable pain thought of others. Looking down from His Cross, His loving gaze fell upon His Blessed Mother and John

Christ, 3 vols.,(St. Louis, 1945);

The Crucified Christ

Abbe Constant Fouard, The Christ,

greater act of omnipotence is conceivable than for a dead man to come forth from the

grave with a new glorified life of the body through the exercise of His own will. Our

The Son of God,2 vols.,(New York , 1890); and Guiseppe Ricciotti, The Life of Christ,(Milwaukee, 1947).

Lord had triumphed over death and sin.The

We also recommend three popular

passion, death, and resurrection represent the greatest turning point in the history of

one-volume studies that are enjoyable

the human race in a long line of significant

Thomas Walsh, Saint Peter the

Apostle(New York, 1948); Very Rev.

mother. From the very beginning to the end,

changes as man moves towards the end for which he was created or in the opposite direction. Christ merited for us the super natural life of grace, applied to us by means of the sacraments and good works, to assist us in this journey.

the Blessed Virgin was associated with her Son in the work of Redemption through her

However, as the story of mankind

For more specialized studies see

unfolds, we shall see that few will take

the titles listed in the notes for each

advantage of Christ's superabundant love.

of the four parts.

His beloved disciple. To His Mother He

gave a son, and to his friend He gave a mother, thus symbolizing that all who fol low Jesus are her sons and, like Saint John,

those who love Jesus take Mary for their

absolute fidelity to the will of God. After the long hours of agony, the Son of God, the source of all our righteousness, cried out with a loud voice, "Father into thy

hands I commend my spirit." Jesus Christ had freely laid down His life for our salva tion with the holiest death of all time.

Augustine Berthe, C.SS.R., Jesus Christ, His Life, His Passion, His Death (St. Louis, 1919); Isidore

O'Brien, O.F.M., The Life of Christ (Paterson, N.J., 1944).

The lessons of the Gospels will be repeated throughout history. Holiness in the good arouses in men of evil disposition a hatred that results in fierce persecution. Simeon predicted of Jesus in His infancy, "Behold this child is set for a sign which shall be contradicted." Later in life Our Lord com

Resurrection

as well as informative: William

plained about the Pharisees, "Now they

Notes

1. See Breen, op. cit. vol. IV, p. 410.

2. For an effective study on the Shroud see Pierre Barbet, A Doctor at Calvary(New York, 1953). Some

have hated both Me and My Father."

of his conclusions have been updat

Further clarifying the mystery of iniquity,

ed but the overall approach is excel

of Jesus Christ did not end with the grave.

Saint John says "Men loved darkness rather

lent.

Quite the contrary, the Sacrifice of the

than the light." The true battle in history is

Cross was completed by the Resurrection.

Some time around dawn on the third day, Christ by His own power as God rose from

fought between those who accept Christ's loving call and those who persecute them, thus attempting to crucify Christ all over

the dead. Outside of creation itself no

again.

Unlike the story of every man's life, that

SEPTEMBER-OaOBER, 1997

3. See Garrigou-Lagrange, op. cit. p. 612. ii^i

■

Family Series

eer H Translated and adaptedfrom the Spanish original of Father Luiz Coloma, S.J.

In Mexico, there is an extremely hot region straightforwardly named Terracaliente â&#x20AC;&#x201D; "Hot Land."

It is a beautiful place of dense forests of palms, fruit trees, precious hardwoods,

and abundant flowers. Great rushing rivers cross these forests, keeping them always green, lush, and growing. Birds of exotic plumage live there, and animals of every size, from rabbits to deer and leopards, roam the underbrush. Hidden away in hard

to reach places lie rich mines of iron, cop per, and silver. At the time of our .story, about the year

tiEse

their great poverty, they could scarcely afford.

"Here, Your Excellency, I brought you this pair of cows..."

1868, this seeming paradise was infested

"And I a team of oxen," another said.

by yellow fever and other diseases favored by the extreme heat. This kept many peo

"And a young fowl. Excellency," added

ple from settling in Terracaliente. Nevertheless, there was a small village,

another.

The good archbishop received all and

everyone like a true father admiring so

Huacana, poverty stricken, in many ways ignorant, still captives to certain pagan customs and even vices, but full of good will.

One fine day the archbishop, following his usual procedure when on visitations, was in the confessional administering the

Sacrament of Penance. This particul: he was hearing the confession of adu

Huacana, which had at most five thousand

much generosity. Nevertheless, he was in a

who were preparing to receive the

inhabitants.

Sacrament of Confirmation.

was his first visitation to this part of his

real quandary. Pitying their poverty, he dared not accept all those gifts, yet he was afraid of disappointing them by refusing. He knew well that the best way of showing gratitude for a gift is by accepting it gladly and sincerely. Finally, the archbishop

diocese, and the poor people who lived there received him with great joy. Men and

decided to ask them to give him some fruit of the region instead of such costly pre

women came down from the mountains

sents. This was no sooner said than fruits

ignorance of Christian doctrine.

and out of the woods in droves, raising an enthusiastic din. Like happy children, they rushed to greet their archbishop. Each one produced .some precious gift, gifts that, in

of all sizes, shapes, colors, and tastes

began to pour in so that a large room was

"Where are you from?" asked the arch bishop.

not enough to contain all of them. These were the poor people of

come from a mountain which is more than

Around the close of that year, the arch

bishop of Michoacan, the diocese to which our little village belonged, visited the parish church of San Juan of Huacana. It

Amidst the multitude of penitents, he

noticed a poor crippled man who patiently awaited his turn. The archbishop immedi ately called him to save him the discomfort

of so much waiting in his condition. He then began to ask him several questions, as

was his custom due to the people's general

"My Father," answered the cripple,"I

CRUSADE

Family Series fifteen leagues from here." "And how did you come?"

man to tell him all about his way of life.

"By mule, my Father."

cripple with the same simple calm,"as I

"What is your state in life?"

said, I am a widower with two young daughters. I spend the days which God grants me this way: In the morning, I get up and say a prayer to my Father God.

"A widower, my Father, with two

young daughters of an age to marry." "And what is your trade?"

"I am a hunter, my Father." "You, a hunter!" exclaimed the amazed

archbishop, unable to hold back a smile. "Yes, my Father," answered the undis turbed cripple. "But, what is it that you hunt?" "I hunt deer, my Father." "Deer? Come, come, my man that can't be," retorted the prelate, amused and just a

little upset, for he was beginning to think that the man was pulling his leg. But his doubts quickly evaporated and a lively curiosity arose within him as the

cripple, shrugging his shoulders, added with the total conviction of one who

speaks sincerely: "It would certainly not be possible if my Father God did not help me." Surprised at such a simple yet

profound answer, the arch bishop entreated the

"Well, Your Excellency," answered the

this would embarrass me."

"But this is what I ask of you now. Come, my man, grant me this. You should not be embarrassed."

"But, my Father, I didn't learn this prayer in any book, nor did anyone teach it

After I eat the breakfast that my daughters have ready for me, I make my way, as well

to me."

as I can manage, toward the field with my rifle. I go jusLa few paces outside my house and there my Father God already

"Well, my Father, just so you won't feel offended I will say it. When I get on my knees in the middle of my cot, I say to

has a deer waiting for me as I asked Him in my prayer. I shoot it; my daughters

my Father God: 'O Father God! Thou hast given me these two daughters of mine and

come and drag it home. Selling the meat

Thou hast also given me this illness that

and hide, we have made our living for these many years." Marveling not only,at what he had Just heard, but also at the simplicity and candor

doesn't allow me to walk. I have to feed

with which the man told his story, the archbishop begged him to recite the prayer with which, every day, he asked for a deer

here where I can shoot it so this poor fami ly can have support.'"

"It doesn't matter. Tell me."

my little maidens so they don't have to go to work in town and run the ri sk of offend

ing Thee. So, Father, place a deer right

The archbishop listened with deep rev

erence, the shep

from that God whom he called "Father"

herd of the Church

with a true son's trust.

learning from a poor cripple. The poor man,

"Oh no, my Father! That I can't do,"

returned the crippled warmly. "But why not?" "Oh, because I'd be

■M

anything Your Grace tells me to do, but

without realizing his prelate's

admiration, concluded simply: "This is my prayer, my Father. And once I finish it, I go out certain of

very embarrassed..." "But, my son, don't you say this prayer

finding what I have asked of my Father God, and I find it always. In all these

to your Father God?" "Yes, to my Father, but... you know...

twenty years that I have been sick, this help has never failed me, because my

well... to my Father God... is different..." "But, you see, I truly wish to hear it. Why won't you content

Father God is very good... very good."

me with this?"

"My Father,... I'll do

Are we surprised at this miracle? Do

we doubt it, perhaps thinking how, at times, we have asked things of God and He has not answered?

Maybe this same cripple can give us the key to the mystery. Let us li.sten to the

'/■im ^ i®,A

Archbishop of Michoacan, who gave this true story himself and who certaii would also have whispered affectionatel) to us so as not to embarrass us. This poor, uncultivated native of the hills of Mexico

invoked his Father God with perfect resig nation; he raised his hands to Him, as Saint

Paul says, pure, pure... so pure that in

those twenty years of illness his greatest fault had been to hit a dog that was chew ing one of his deer hides.

With this, the miracle should no longer amaze us, for it is no miracle that God ful

fills what He promises. The miracle would be if He did not.

OBER.

■

The life of Saint Therese of the Child Jesus overflowed with edifying and oftentimes

A vocation

years, we might say even three centuries, would not suffice to study her life.

offered to God, speaking to you this evening with

spirited incidents, which fill the whole earth with admiration and serve as an antechamljer to eternal life. So many were these occurrences that three

fulfilled, a cal

vary accepted, the grandeur of Heaven

Before entering into the period when Saint

gratitude you will be able to realize only in heav

we will close this series of articles in the year's final issue of Crusade, it is necessary that we ana lyze her determination in embarking upon this Calvary, her loving acceptance of the Cross, and

en."

service of the Church.

Nothing serves as a better backdrop for this than the letter she wrote on the night of

September 8, 1896, to Sr. Marie of the Sacred Heart, her sister by blood and in the religious life and also her godmother. Sister Marie had asked Saint Therese for a memento of the retreat she

had just finished. The very opening of this letter

Basilica dedicated

manifests her innocence:

to Saint Therese of the Child Jesus

all the love a child can feel for its mother, with a

Therese's illness intensified, a theme with which

her conviction that she suffered not only for eter nal life but also for other great vocations at the

foretold

Mother's leave, and I welcome this chance to

converse with you. You are my sister twice over, and it was you who lent me your voice long ago, promising in my name that I would serve the Lord faithfully, when I was incapable of speaking. Here then, dear godmother, is that child you

In Lisieux, France.

Now, Saint Therese received no consolation

from and quite often did not understand what she read in books. But she experienced true joy in what others might consider a serious problem. She would therefore use short phrases, taken from here and there, and apply them to her relationship

with her Divine Spouse. Thus did she make known the "science of love," the "mercy granted the humble," and the greater necessity of "offer

ing sacrifices, praise, and acts of gratitude unto God" than of multiplying works. In her humility she told her sister: "I have tried to give some account of that dream I had, and of what you call the 'little doctrine,' which I

"My beloved sister, you have asked me

try to hand on. 1 have done it in these pages, but

for a keepsake of my retreat, perhaps the

so poorly that I cannot imagine how you will

last I shall make. 1 have Reverend

understand what I have written. You may find

some of my expressions exaggerated: if so, for give me, for you must allow for my wretched

style of writing. I assure you there is no exagger ation in my little soul; all therein is calni "d peace."

The letter to Sr. Marie of the Sacred Heart

il i1

'Jesus, my well-beloved,..."

Absolutely everything of Saint Therese concerned or began with

mention

the

Savior, her Spouse and Lord. Though her letter to

CRUSADE

"Insignificant as I am, I long to enlighten men's minds as the prophets and doctors did." her sister also began thus, her affection

Mother Anne of Jesus. Up to then she had

ate and innocent frankness quickly

been entirely indifferent to" her, but from

revealed her earlier perception that a tem

that moment on her gratitude toward her

pest would assail her soul shortly after

and the Blessed in Heaven overflowed.

that year's celebration of Easter. She had asked herself then (it was May 9) why the

"To be thy Spouse, 0 Jesus, to be a Carmelite, to become, through my union with Thee, a mother of souls, all this

dreams, so beautiful, generous, and full

should satisfy me, but it is not so. Without a doubt, these three privileges are the sub-

of meaning, were now not granted her. "I remember thinking about the wonderful

I stance of my vocation: Carmelite, spouse,

dreams certain souls have been privileged to experience, and how consoling an experience it would be; but I didn't pray

for anything of the kind," she wrote. And

I mother. Yet I feel within me other vocaI tions; I feel called to be a warrior, a priest, I an apostle, a doctor, a martyr. In short, I

feel the necessity, the desire, of accom plishing for Thy sake all of the most hero

that same night, reflecting upon how

overcast was her sky, she told herself that like hers.

ic works. I feel in my soul the courage to be a Crusader, a Papal Zouave; I should

May 10 was the anniversary of the day the Most Holy Virgin had deigned to

the Church."

dreams were not for unimportant souls

like to die on the battlefield in defense of

Who, having read this phrase, would

smile upon this little flower, and on that day a gift would be granted her!

dare distort the doctrine that attended her

The dream

assert that the rose she bore had no thorns

most great vocation? Who would dare along its stem, or that the perfume it gave off was in fact something entirely foreign

"As the first rays of dawn came. I

to it? As if what she taught was insipid!

went to sleep again and dreamed....

"1 was standing in a sort of gallery ' where several other people were present, but our Mother was the only one near me. Suddenly, without knowing how they had

got there, I was conscious of the presence of three Carmelite sisters. I had the impression

Saint Therese of the Child Jesus

loving smile, on the face of our Venerable Mother. I can still feel the touch of the kiss

es she gave me. "And now,seeing myself loved so tender ly, I dared to ask: 'Oh, my Mother, tell me

' The irresistible attraction her virtue exer cises the world over is undeniable proof to the contrary.

This young Carmelite, who never attended any theological school yet is soon to be declared a Doctor of the Church, did

whether God will yet leave me long upon the

not stop here. Through her spiritual life she acquired the knowledge necessary to ascend

that they came from heaven. I found myself crying out(but of course, only in the silence of my heart), 'Oh, how I would love to see

earth. Or will He come to take me?'

the pinnacles of the relationship between

the face of one of these Carmelites!'At that,

you.'

that they had come to see our Mother; what was borne in upon me with certainty was

as if granting my request, the tallest of the three saintly figures moved towards me,

and, as I sank to my knees, she lifted her veil, lifted it right up, I mean, and threw it over me. I recognized her without difficul ty; the face was that of our Venerable

"Smiling most tenderly, she responded

softly, 'Yes, soon; very soon, I promise "'Mother,' I added, 'tell me also if God

wants of me nothing other than the unim

portant little sacrifices I offer Him. Is He really content with me?' At that, the saint's

God and men, without committing the slightest error. Quite the contrary, she filled

pages and pages of manuscripts with inno cence and candor. She continues:

"At the same time I want to be a priest; how lovingly would I bear Thee in my

features took on an expression incompara

hands when, at my call. Thou would^^' -nme

bly more tender than when she first spoke to

down from Heaven; how lovingly \^

Mother Anne of Jesus, who brought the

me. Her gaze and her embrace were suffi

bestow Thee upon souls! Yet, with all uiis

reformed Carmelite order into France.

cient responses, but she also spoke; 'God

There was an ethereal beauty about her fea

asks nothing more of you. He is content,

tures, which were not radiant but transfused

very content!" Then, after embracing me as tenderly as ever a mother embraced her child, she withdrew. My heart was all joy, and I remembered my sisters and wanted to ask graces for them but, unfortunately, I had

desire to be a priest, I admire and envy the humility of Saint Francis of Assisi: I feel the vocation to imitate him in refusing the honor of the priesthood." At reading this, does one not recall those today who are so pretentious as to demand that the dignity of the priesthood be con

awakened."

ferred upon women? Which of these "can

didates" for the priesthood can say they are saints like Saint Therese? If any dare step

with light â&#x20AC;&#x201D; the light seemed to come from her without being communicated to her, so

that the heavenly face was fully visible to me in spile of the veil that surrounded us.

"I cannot describe the weight that was lifted from my mind; such an experience

passed since I had this reassuring dream, yet

"And now the storm no longer raged, my whole sky was calm and serene." The feeling that she was a favorite of

the memory of it is as fresh as ever, as

Heaven was fixed in her soul, all the more

delightful as ever. I can still see the look, the

since she had never invoked the name of

cannot be put on paper. Many months have

SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER, 1997

forward, would it not be the case to ask if

this reflection has escaped them? "Insignificant as I am, I long to enlight-

Centenary en souls as did the prophets and the doctors;

the Child Jesus and the Holy Face: her con

I feel called to be an apostle. I should like to

secration as a "Victim of the Most Merciful

that it is a universe of its own,comprising all

travel the world over, preaching Thy name and planting Thy glorious cross in heathen

Love of Jesus."

time and space; in a word, that it is eternal!"

lands. A single mission would not suffice for me, however; I should want to proclaim the Gospel to the four comers of the earth,

"Victim of Most Merciful Love*'

tion was love. The young Carmelite had

to the most distant and forgotten islands, all at once. I should want to be a missionary

not just for a few years, but rather from the

Paul, in his first Epistle to the Corinthians, says that "the eye cannot say to the hand: I need not thy help," meaning that everyone

creation of the world unto the consumma

cannot be at one and the same time apostles.

love is the vocation that contains all others,

She had found her vocation: Her voca

discovered her niche in the Church, and she Saint Therese reminds us that Saint

said she was "beside herself with joy." But

was she truly "beside herself? She makes a correction: "No, that expression is inac

"But what I want above all,

curate. My feeling was rather the calm and restful feeling the navigator gets upon sighting the lighthouse that will lead him safely to port. The

O my Beloved Savior, is to shed my blood for Thee to the

bright before me;I could reflect

tion of ages.

beacon

last drop. Martyrdom. Behold the dream of my youth, that

of love now

shone

its beams."

How to bring all of these ideas to fruition? Her very feeling of

dream which grew with me in the cloisters of Carmel. But

being a powerless and weak

even in this I sense that my dream is an extravagant one,

child assisted her: "Oh, I know

quite well that I am only a child,

for I would not know how to

with all a child's weaknesses;

limit myself to a single form of

but

martyrdom. All forms would be necessary to satisfy me. As

emboldens me to offer myself

Thou

the old law the Lord of Hosts,

wert,

precisely

what

as a victim of Thy love. Under

Adorable

Spouse, I should want to be scourged and cmcified, to die flayed alive like Saint Bartho

that's

the great King, would accept in Palm branch miraculously preserved since the day of burial, found with the saint upon exhumation.

lomew, to be lowered into boiling oil like Saint John; 1 should want to suffer all the

tortures inflicted upon the martyrs. Along with Saint Agnes and Saint Cecilia, I should want to bare my neck to the sword, and like

my favorite. Saint Joan of Arc, I should

prophets, or doctors. It could not be more clear, but it did not satisfy that soul of such

replaced by the law of love. And love has

the Apostle of fire and so found relief: "Be zealous for the better gifts, yet 1 will show

chosen me, weak and imperfect creature

want in the midst of the fire to call out Thy

name, 0 Jesus. Reflecting upon the tor ments that will be the part of the Christians

is that of charity, and that the most perfect of gifts are nothing without love.

in the time of the Antichrist, I desire that these torments be reserved for me. Jesus,

At the foot of the guillotine, it is said,

the

well-known

French

revolutionary

Madame Roland uttered a phrase that histo ry has recorded for all time:

"A single form of martyrdom would never be enough for me. I should want to experience them all." my desires, it would be necessary for me to copy Thy 'Book of Life,' in which are told

Justice. But now, the law of fear has been

wide horizons. She continued to delve into

unto you yet a more excellent way." The apostle tells us that the most excellent way

Jesus, were I to want to write down all of

sacrifice only such offerings as were pure and without spot; only perfect victims could satisfy the divine

"Liberty, O liberty, how many crimes are committed in your

that I am,for its burnt-offering...love cannot be content without condescending â&#x20AC;&#x201D; con descending to mere nothingness, and mak

ing this nothingness the fuel for its flame." Remembering the boldness of Eliseus

who asked of Ellas a "double portion of his spirit," she asked of God a double portion of His love. "That shall be my life, scattering flowers, missing not a single opportunity to make some small sacrifice...and doing so out of love.... While scattering my flowers,

name!" Well might we para phrase her in saying "O Charity, 0 Love, how many

I will sing.... I shall be singing ever

have to pick my flowers from a thoi

crimes are not committed

longest and sharpest." To Saint Therese, charity evidently

today in your name?" What are charity and love to a soul such as this?

and singing my best when the thorns are

meant something very different than it

means to certain modem spirits.

all ^e deeds of all the saints; I should want

"If the Church were a body composed of different members, it could not lack the

to have done all these acts for Thee."

noblest and most necessary of its members:

and thorns? Ah, well do 1 know that these fragile petals, of no real value, and these

How to reconcile all of these contrasts?

It must have a heart, and a heart burning

How to put all these desires into practice

with love. I also understood that this love

within that "little soul"? This was the very question which flowed from those lips, which, having asked so much, had grown silent. From this enigmatic situation origi

was the motive force that enabled the other

extinguished, the apostles would no longer proclaim the Gospel, the martyrs would

nated the doctrinal base of Saint Therese of

refuse to shed their blood. I understood that

members to act, and that were this love

"But Jesus, of what use are these flowers

songs of love will please Thee; they will cause the Church Triumphant to smile, and she will take up the flowers I have gathered out of love and cause them to pass through Thy divine hands, O Jesus. And after they have acquired infinite value by Thy divine

CRUSADE

Centenary touch, she will shower them over the

and are faithful to the finish, she ends her

Church Suffering, that the burning coals

letter:

might be extinguished; she will shower them upon the Church Militant, to strength en her for fresh conquests."

"Dear Jesus, how I wish I could explain to all souls that are conscious of their little

The goal of this warrior soul, which

ness how ineffable is Thy condescendence. As improbable as it might be,I feel that were

asked Jesus to "accept her as a victim," was

Thou to find a soul more feeble, more

a love entirely turned toward the glory of the Church Militant. And with the generos

insignificant than mine. Thou wouldst be pleased to overwhelm it with even greater favors, provided that it abandon itself with

ity of those souls that have been given much

total confidence to Thine infinite love. But

why should I feel any need to tell others

about the secrets of Thy love? Thou, no one else, didst teach them to me; wouldst Thou not reveal them to others? Yes, I know that

Thou will, and I beseech Thee to do so; I beg Thee to look down in mercy on a great num ber of souls that share my littleness, to choose for Thyself a legion of victims,so lit

■

tle as to be worthy of Thy love!"

Ambiences, Customs and Civilizations

True Sanctity Lies in Strength of Soul, Not in Sentimental Softness by Plinio Correa de Oliveira one's dearest attachments in order to

adhere solely to the Divine Will. A certain iconography, unfortunately very common, presents the saints in a

very different light: They appear soft, sen timental, devoid of personality and strength of character, incapable of serious, solid, and coherent ideas; they seem to be souls moved only by their emotions and,

therefore, totally unprepared for the great

struggles that always accompany earthly life.

The figure of Saint Ther^se of the

Child Jesus and the Holy Face was espe cially deformed by bad iconography. Roses, smiles, inconsistent sentimentalism, a soft and carefree life; bones made

of sugar candy and blood made of honey

The Church teaches that true and com plete sanctity is the heroism of virtues.

The honors of the altar are not granted to hypersensitive and weak souls that flee

from profound thought, from bitter suffer ing, from the fight—in short, from the Cross of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Mindful of

the words of her Divine Founder,"The

Kingdom of Heaven belongs to the vio lent," the Church canonizes only those who

— such is the idea that is given of the great and incomparable Saint Theresa of Lisieux. How all of this differs from her true

spirit — vast and profound like the firma

souls with an iron logic. Her gaze bespeaks tremendous sufferings in the innermost

recesses of her soul, yet, at the same time, it reveals the fire and courage of a heroic

ment, ardent and brilliant like the sun, and yet so humble and filial — that one

soul that has resolved to advance cost what

encounters when reading her autobiogra

it may.

phy, The Story of a Soul. Our two photographs present, so to speak, two different and even contrary

Contemplating this face, strong a, >found as only the grace of God can make a

"Theresas." There is nothing heroic about

soul, another face comes to mind: that of

or cut off their own foot when it caused

the first one, the insignificant, superficial, and perfumed "Saint Therese" portrayed by romantic and sentimental iconography. The

scandal, and sacrificed eveiything to follow

second shows us the authentic Saint

the Holy Shroud of Turin, which displays that face beyond man's capacity to fathom and describe. There is an imponderable yet immensely real similarity between the face of Our Lord in death, radiating ineffable

Our Lord Jesus Christ alone. In truth, sanc

tity implies the greatest heroism, for it sup

Therese, photographed on June 7, 1897, just a short time before her death on

the face of Saint Therese. And what sur

poses not only the firm and serious resolu

September 30 of that same year.

prise can there be if the Holy Face

tion to sacrifice life itself if need be in

order to remain faithful to Our Lord Jesus

Her countenance is marked by the pro found peace of great and irrevocable renun

impressed something of Itself on the visage and soul of one who in religious life was

Christ, but even to live an extended life on

ciations. Her features show the definition,

called Therese of the Child Jesus and the

earth if God so desires, ever renouncing

strength, and harmony possessed only by

Holy Face?

have authentically fought the good fight, those who have plucked out their own eye

SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER, 1997

peace, strength, profundity, and sorrow, and

■

The American TFP In Action

What a Great Joy to Work for Our Lady of Fatima! by Ben Hiegert

Determined to spread Our Lady of Fatima's message all across the country, a group of young men devoted part of their summer vacation to travelling the country to reach out took extra flyers to hand out himself. A nun who received the flyer expressed her joy at seeing Catholics on the street spreading devotion to Our Lady of Fatima. That

This account can only be a brief summa

ry of three weeks, 7000 miles, and the dis tribution of 30,000 flyers with Our Lady's picture and message.

accompanying staff from St. Louis de

evening, commemorating the Feast of the Assumption, we attended Mass at the

Montfort

Herndon,

Church of St. John Cantius, whose pastor

Pennsylvania—began our journey in front

very generously helped the caravan with lodging and meals during its stay in Chicago. After Mass and dinner that day, he

Eleven of us—eight students and their in

only," and other Protestant slogans. Nevertheless, many other people supported our efforts. One older man told me that he

to thousands of Americans.

Academy

by, we heard many taunts against devotion to Our Lady. We frequently heard, "Christ

of Saint Patrick's Cathedral in Harrisburg,

praying for Our Lady's help and protection

already had the book Our Lady a! Fatima: Pwphecies ofTragedy or //ope.'and wanted more information about our activities. After

this campaign, we received reinforcements for the next one as three of our fellow stu

dents joined the caravan after vacationing with their family in a nearby city. In Denver we found lots of people on the streets, but not all were receptive to Our

Lady. One "bom-again" Christian tried to

persuade us to stop handing out flyers, say ing that the flyers were from the "Pit."

for our adventure. We then set out for

treated all of us, along with several novices

Pittsburgh for our first "campaign." That city impressed us for the way the business

of the Congregation of the Resurrection, to

Another Protestant argued that Our Lady is

ice cream at a local restaurant.

very humble, so she would not like her mes

men readily accepted our flyers. In other

At our next stop, downtown St. Louis, we handed out flyers in front of the historic

sage spread! As in Kansas City, however,

cities, it wasn't like that.

In Cleveland, we were joined for the day

by a friend who had just enrolled for the fol lowing school year at the Academy. A local supporter of the Fatima campaign prepared a fine meal and provided lodging for us. Thanks to abundant foot traffic in

Old Post Office. One gentlemen there com

there were still many people who encour aged us. "This is what Denver needs," one

mented, "I can't remember the last time I

man said. A lady said we were "doing the

saw Catholics out on the streets like this."

right thing."

After the day's efforts, the parents of one of our staff members provided a splendid meal

chance to visit the Grand Canyon, which

for our large "family." Before our next effort, in Kansas City,

Chicago's Loop, we were able to distribute ten thousand flyers in one day there near Saint Peter's Church. One Chicagoan told

threatened the campaign there, but stopped

us he recognized us from the March for Life

just in time to allow the flyer distribution to

we spent the night at a campground. Rain

Before heading down south, we had the many of us had never seen before. What an impressive site! Our country really has lots of things to be proud of. In Fort Worth we were pleased to a faith ful member of the Fatima Proclaimer

in Washington D.C. He proudly proclaimed

run as scheduled. Since some sort of

Network, along with other friends, waiting

his Catholicism when asked and gave full

Protestant convention was being held near-

to meet us near the cathedral. As we cam-

encouragement to the campaign. A city alderman stopped to com

pliment us for our attire—we wore our school uniform blazers—and

paigned in the nearby downtown The following cities where visited for the distribution of the

message of Fatima campaign: Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Chicago, St. Louis, Kansas City, Denver, Fort Worth, New Orleans, Atlanta.

area, many friendly people accepted the flyer. A police offi

cer was especially congc •' uid

The American TFP In Action

brought over a friend, another policeman, sure that he would like the flyer. After a full day

working for Our Lady, we were treated to a Texas-size dinner by old friends at their home in Fort Worth. Our Lady surely takes good care of us!

From Fort Worth the caravan traveled to

Louisiana. In Lafayette we visited the Mother

Superior and the foundress of a Carmelite con vent. They told us how impressed they were to

see young people devoted to Our Lady and spreading her message and that they had prayed for our "missionary work" in New Orleans, where we had handed out flyers earlier that day.

They commented that the members of the cara van were among the few young people who still

knew how to smile. That reminds me... During

the campaign earlier in the day, one man driving

HI. bii/i.s .Ikir/c(iminm dc .l/„„//^,./ Acudi'iufi

by in his car, impressed with the dress of the members of the caravan, commented that the

flyer would have to be good because it came from such good-looking young men. A local businessman was very supportive of our efforts.

"Hi t

Posing with our banner in front of the Grand Canyon

He makes rosaries and keeps one at his desk to

help him at his work. On the way from New Orleans to Atlanta, we

stopped at Nottaway Plantation, located near Baton Rouge on the banks of the Mississippi

River and surrounded by sugarcane fields. The

house, the largest plantation home in the United

States, dates from before the Civil War. Just a few miles down the road, we happened across the

"smallest church in the world." Our Lady of the

Assumption Church is only about five by eight feet! Mass is celebrated there on the Feast of the Assumption. Leaving a stack of flyers for other visitors, we continued on to Atlanta. Atlanta's streets were crowded with pedestri ans, although many were tourists and seemed to

c::

■

Camping along the way

be in a hurry. Having dropped two of us off at a street corner, our driver was surprised to find out that we were already running out of flyers when he drove by a few minutes later. One black man,

a Catholic from a Muslim country in Africa, asked if we went to Mass and prayed the rosary. When we said yes, he asked for a flyer and said, "You're for real!" He was but one of many

Catholics from other countries there who accept ed the Fatima flyer. Our efforts will extend fur

ther than we imagined! To close this cross country campaign for Our

Lady, we met in front of the church of the Immaculate Conception, the oldest building in Atlanta's downtown. General Sherman, perhaps thinking of his Catholic wife, had spared it at the pastor's request. Here we prayed to ask Our

Heavenly Mother that she bless our beloved country and grant many special graces to all those who opened their souls to her invitation by accepting one of her flyers. ■ Before campaigning in Chicago

ggpjEMBER-OCTOBER, 1997

/!'■ 3

'f-'il

;/* ■ • ' . U®:n

■V '

<', y

•'

. 1»"

'. ■

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w J.

^'When still very young, I marveled at the ruins of Christendom, Gave them my heart. Turned my back on all / could expect.

And made of that past full of blessings. My future — Plinio Correa de Oliveira

A "'jt"

uan iii ) .<'

3NIZV0

from the kitchen of Maria Becker

Chantilly Chocolate Delight Introducing our "The Recipe Corner," we offer our reader a deli cious recipe for a chocolate-pecan-liqueur cake, which is guaranteed to

delight your guests at any occasion. This cake is lavishly topped with "Creme de Chantilly", simply called "whipped cream" on this side of the Atlantic and which was invented by a royal chef in the castle of Chantilly, France, home of the royal family of Conde. Cake:

1/2 cup butter or margarine 1/4 cup Chantilly cream (whipping cream) 1 cup firmly packed brown sugar 1 cup coarsely chopped pecans 1 (18.25 oz.) pkg. pudding Pillsbury German Chocolate cake mix.

1 1/4 cups water 1/3 cup oil 3 eggs Filling and topping: 1 3/4 cups Chantilly cream 1/4 cup powdered sugar 1/4 teaspoon vanilla 2 teaspoons of Nocello or Amaretto liqueur,

two ungreased 8- or 9-jnch pans Preheat oven to 325Â° degrees. Over low heat, combine butter, 1/4

cup whipping cream, pecans, and brown sugar. Simmer until butter is melted. Do not overcook, as the sugar will harden to caramel. Cool.

This is the praline filling. Mix remaining cake ingredients in a bowl at low speed until moistened, then beat 2 minutes at high speed. Spoon half the

batter in circles starting from the outer edge of the pan. This ensures a fairly even-surfaced cake Repeat with the remaining batter and second pan.

Bake for 35 to 45 minutes, or until top springs back when touched in center. Cool 3 minutes,' remove from pans. Cool completely.

In small bowl, beat 1 3/4 cups of whipping cream into "Chantilly cream" or until soft peaks form. Gradually add powdered sugar, vanilla, and liqueur. Beat until stiff

peaks form. To assemble cake, place 1 layer on cake platter. Spread with 3/4 pra line mixture, top with a thin layer of Chantilly cream. Add second cake, spread remaining praline mixture and the rest of the Chantilly cream. Garnish with

chocolate curls, pecan halves, flowers, or anything you wish to use. Refrigerate until serving time. Enjoy!

November-December, 1997

❖ In Brief

❖ Crusade Magazine Readers Respond

Cover: Madonna del

Miracolo, Rome,Italy.

❖ Catholics join together to protest

Jiang Zemin's visit to the United States

Fatima America Needs Fatima attends

hii»h-proi1le conference in R{niie Christmas In Search of Christmas How Can We Make Christmas More

Meaningful for Our Children

A Christmas Message

Cover Article The Fifth Marian Dogma:

Coredcmpirix, Mediatrix, and Advocate

Interviews - Cover Article Dr. Mark I. Miravalle

Fr. Frederick M. Jelly, O.P,

Fr. John Hardon. S.J.. Mother Angelica. Dr. Scott Hahn

Education

Is this the nght moment for the proclamation

of a new Marian dogma: Mary as the Is It Cioinu to Be Boring? How iio wc uel our children more interested in life''

Universal Mediatrix of all graces?

Centenary Saint Therese of (he Child Jcsiis; Doctor (>l the Cliurch

Relision

In The Arena

Family Series "I'he Story ot a Song

Crusade Magazine is a publication of the American Society for

the Defense of Tradition, Family and Property (TFP). Subscriptions in the United States and Canada, $24.00.

Foreign subscriptions, $30.00. List of other TFP publications available upon request. Direct all subscription requests and

Doctor of the Church

In the Arena

Crusade

i^rusaae Mafpizine

Catholics

Editor:

Uy-sJ

C. Preston Noel! Ill

react to growing hate campaign

Associate Editors:

Earl Appleby Thomas Becket

A groundswell of grassroots reaction has been building in the Los Angeles area against a blasphemous "artwork" considered by many Catholics as yet another attack on the sacred objects of their religion.

growing anti-Catholic bigotry." 'Time and again we can open the papers or turn on the TV and find

our faith disparaged and dragged through the mud. And we have had enough! As Catholics we have a

Jack Bumham

Eugenia Guzman Gary Isbell Thomas J. McKenna Photography: Todd F. Kamuf

moral obligation to speak out in

Circulation:

of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles has featured an exhibit portraying the Blessed Virgin Mary standing on

defense of the Mother of God, who is also our mother by adoption. When she is offended publicly, this

Foreign Correspondents:

a sewer grate with a drain pipe stuck

touches us in what we hold most

BRAZIL: Jose Carlos Sepulveda

through her womb. Flanking the sculpture are two open suitcases containing sewer grates. Through the openings can be seen images of male legs with the bare legs of a baby dangling between them. The

dear.

CHILE: Nelson Farias Blanco

Since September 7, the Museum

"artist" intends the drain pipe as a hostile allusion to the Immaculate

Conception and the miraculous con ception of Our Lord.

As reports in the secular press began to advertise this particularly obnoxious exhibit, Catholics around

"We will be there on December 7

Gregory Escaro AUSTRALIA: John S. Tucker

FRANCE: Benoit Bemelmans

to register our profound outrage at

GERMANY: Beno Hofschulte

what is happening and to send a

PORTUGAL: Antonio C. de Azeredo

clear message to those who have

ROME: Juan M. Montes

made a pastime out of bigoted anti-

SOUTH AFRICA: Richard Urban

Catholic propaganda. We are fed up, so we will be there and anywhere else it takes until this stops," said

SPAIN: Felipe Barandianin

Mr. Drake.

In contrast to the growing num ber of blasphemies directed at the

Blessed Virgin Mary, there are ground breaking efforts by Catholics

The American TFP

The American Society for the

Defense of Tradition, Family and Property (TFP) was founded in

the country have realized that unless they protest, such offenses will con

to honor her and proclaim her divine

1973 to confront the profound cri

tinue and worsen.

virtues.

sis shaking the modern world. It is

The display fits into a pattern of defamation that has been growing in

The group Vox Populi Mariae Mediatrici has already collected over

intensity over the past few years.

four million signatures to encourage Rome to elevate Our Lady's titles of

a civic, cultural and nonpartisan organization which, inspired by the traditional teachings of the

Films such as "The Last Temptation of Christ" and "Hail Mary" have ridiculed the sinlessness and purity of Our Lord and Our Lady. The cur

"Co-Redemptrix," "Universal

rent television series "Nothing

that Catholics are not just fighting a rear guard battle. By raising the issue of this "fifth dogma" on Our

Sacred" takes aim at the life of the

clergy. Blasphemous works fester in public art galleries around the coun try.

Raymond Drake, president of the

Mediatrix," and "Advocate" to the

status of dogma. Those efforts show

Lady, they are advancing.

This issue of Crusade takes you to the heart of the discussion on this

Supreme Magisterium of the Roman Catholic Church, works in

a legal and peaceful manner in the

realm of ideas to defend and pro mote the principles of private own

ership, family and perennial Christian values with their twofold function: individual and social. The TFP's words and efforts have

always been faithfully at the ser vice of Chri.stian civilization. The first TFP was founded in

American Society for the Defense of

Marian doctrine. It will not be an

Tradition Family and Property(TFP),

easy debate, for many strongly argue

Brazil by the famous intellectual

said: "This is not a freedom of

that a new dogmatic proclamation

and Catholic leader Prof. Plinio Correa de Oliveira in 1960. His

speech issue. What has outraged

would be inopportune for ecumeni

countless numbers of Catholics in

cal reasons. But many others believe

work has inspired the formation of

the Los Angeles area and around the country is the intensifying hate cam

other autonomous TFPs in 26

paign directed at the Catholic reli

that granting dogmatic status to these titles would be a special act of reparation, of honor, and love to Our

gion. This 'art' display is part of a

Lady that these times call for.

countries across the globe, thus constituting the world's largest anticommunist and antisocialist

network of Catholic inspiration.

CRUSADE

IN BRIEF E! And the band plays on...

0New studies corroborate long-standing belief

He donned a tricom hat in Colonial

Williamsburg, opened the New York Stock Exchange with the ring of a bell, and

that the Holy Shroud of TUrin was a forgery

claimed to have acquired "a more specific

were mistaken, said Italian archaeologist

understanding of American democracy"

Maria Grazia Siliato. At the end of October,

The scientists who concluded in 1988

upon seeing the various protests against him

Siliato, a specialist in Mediterranean and

on his whirlwind tour of the United States.

Near East civilizations, said that the test

Then Jiang Zemin, Communist China's

sample cut from the Holy Shroud on which

president, returned home, where not much

those scientists based their conclusion was

is likely to change.

not from the linen of the Holy Shroud itself,

Despite all Jiang's smiles here, the per

but rather from one of the several patches

secution of the Catholic Church in his most-

that had been sewn onto the fabric over the

favored-nation homeland persists as it has since the Communists came to power in

centuries.

1949 and especially since they established

for testing weighed 42 milligrams per square centimeter, whereas the average weight of the material of the Shroud is 20 to 23 milligrams per square centimeter. She

their puppet Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association in 1957 to replace the Roman Catholic Church.

About a month before Jiang's festive U.S. tour, the communist Public Safety Bureau re-arrested Bishop Su Zhimin of Baoding. He had previously been arrested,

along with his auxiliary. Bishop An Shuxin, and many priests, religious, and lay leaders, when the Chinese government destroyed the national shrine of Our Lady of China in Donglu, near Baoding, in May of 1996. Bishop Su hid in various places for 17

Siliato said that the fragment submitted

added that examinations have shown that

wall's stonework to show through. The

shady little brook nearby has been diverted, and two centuries-old trees that formerly freshened the atmosphere have been felled. The trees stood and the brook flowed in the

way of a new visitor center to be added to the rear of the house. The modem center, to

cost ten million Francs, financed mostly by European funds, will feature an uncovered pathway and an audiovisual especially for students of the history of the Saint and the times in which she served the Church and

her country. Among the commentaries written in the visitor's book, one well sums up the feel ings of many pilgrims and residents; "Joan is being burned for the second time!"

0 Rats shed light on some effects of the "rat race"

brief contact with skin produces an oxida

tion of the fabric, an accelerated decompo sition, implying that the marks on the Shroud are not a false painting, nor some

thing uncxplainable, but a natural chemical process.

In other research, at the Optical Institute

Who doesn't know that chronic stress

may be triggered by a bad day at work, an

unexpected letter from the IRS, or some thing more profound like war or physical abuse? Or, that stress may lead to such mal adies as ulcers, anxiety, or major depres

of d'Orsay in Paris, two engineers who are

sion?

months before being apprehended again and

experts in computerized study of images found, using electronic filters, the words

Less well-known, perhaps, is the prob lems of infant stress. Something as simple

incarcerated.

"Jesus Nazarene" written in Greek and

as separating a child from its mother, even for a time, may cause more harm to the

Those are just two recent examples of

Latin characters on the fabric around the

the Red Chine.se government's continuing

face. This inscription could be a certifica tion by the Roman authorities as to Our

child than previously thought.

Lord's identity, death sentence, and execu

mals and other research methods, scientists

hostility toward the Catholic Faith.

Celebration of Mass and prayer services of any kind, even prayers for the dying, and just being a priest are considered subversive activities in China, punishable with exorbi tant fines, detention, house arrest, incarcer

ation, or confinement in labor camps. Tens of thousands of persons are thought to be in slave labor camps for such "crimes." It is both ironic and tragic that while this

brutal persecution of Christians yet rages,

tion.

Using passive tests on laboratory ani have recently shown that brain cells in infant rats break up and die, literally com

0Saint Joan of Arc "burned again"

mitting suicide, when the rats are separated from their mothers. Death of the brain cells

leads to fear, immobilization, and memory Those who would implicitly or explic

itly strive to disfigure the sublime coun tenance of Holy Mother Church in any and every way would also logically seek

loss.

A psychologist studying children in Rumania observed that children placed in

its perpetrators are supplying American hol iday shoppers with a growing number of

to do the same to the places sanctified by

poorly run day-care centers during the week had greater levels of the human stress

those She has raised to the honor of the

hormone during that time than on the

toys and Christmas decorations, including

altars.

weekends when they were home with their

nativity sets. As of August of this year, Red China's exports of these and other goods to

Joan of Arc, a favorite place of pilgrimage

the U.S. reached $6.1 billion, while our

in France, would merit a delicate and fine

exports to China totalled only $900 million.

restoration. What it has received at the

ping up efforts to develop drugs to counter

What "Christmas bonus" will Jiang and

hands of the chief architect of Historical

act the hormones released under stress that

the rest of Red China's leaders give their enslaved "Santa's helpers" for helping them

acquire such a favorable trade balance? Far

One would think that the home of Saint

parents.

With the new insight this research has

given, pharmaceutical companies are step

Monuments in Vosges, France, is quite the

trigger the numerous stress-related ail

contrary.

ments.

The slope of the wooden roof, which lightened the austerity of the facade, was

replace that marvel of maternal affection

But will there ever be a pill that will

from any bonus, our Chinese brothers and sisters loyal to Rome will again celebrate

diminished, and a yellowish roughcast now

and solicitude, God's own remedy for the

the advent of the Child Jesus under an iron

covers the exterior, obscuring the ancient

stress of everyday life, which is the mother

yoke and the eclipsing Red star.

weathered plaster that allowed some of the

herself?

NOVEMBER-DECEMBER, 1997

Crusade

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Crusade Magazine Readers Respond What are Crusade's readers concerned about? See if you agree. We thank all those who responded to the "reader's survey" that we mailed with our July-August issue. Having compiled the results, we thought you and other readers would like to know how Crusade readers responded.

Seventy percent of the respondents to our survey ranked the

problem of homosexual infiltration in the Church seven or higher on their scale of one to ten. Seventy-one percent considered the

new methods of religious instruction to be of paramount concern, also giving them a seven or above. Only twelve and ten percent, respectively, gave these issues a three or below.

in second at eighty-nine percent. The movement for global gov ernment was a concern for seventy-four percent, with government corruption scoring eighty-six percent.

Taxation and health care have faded into the background some what with only fifty percent marking them as key political issues. This may be a result of their having been linked to the question on moral issues. Some "Economic Conservatives" would be upset by this, but it may just indicate that the moral issues are considered more important than anything else, not that economic issues are deemed unimportant in themselves.

Fifty-one percent believe the controversy over the liturgy in the

Concerning young people, readers thought anti-religious teaching the most important by a large margin. Drugs and sex edu

Catholic Church to be of prime concern, while the movement for

cation followed when readers were asked to rank these issues in

women's ordination scored fifty-five percent in the seven or above

order of importance.

category, and forty-five percent are highly concerned about the pos sibility of married priests.

Not surprisingly, ninety-seven percent of Crusade readers consid

er abortion an important political issue, with euthanasia coming

V UMudd S ...something on the loss of many Catholics to other religions because of the failure of those Catholics to adequately

Eighty percent of respondents thought home schooling a viable option for grade school, seventy-one percent for middle school,

and fifty-three for high school, but only twenty-three percent thought it would work for university.

to^ dee..,

E ...more encouraging stories on how certain dioceses are combating the influ

in destruction of society and how men

ence of evil so we can learn more on what

and marketplace.

have abdicated their authority in the home

we can do as individuals to fight the good fight.

R. L. S., Floresville, Tx.

M.G., New Castle, Penn.

J. K. M., Middietown, Conn.

E ...an analysis of world events from a

S ...about the life of Our Lady, since

E ...an article in each issue with regard to

spective. Where is the Revolution head

other religions say that we unduly honor

raising children.

ing? Moral issues in society, government,

know their faith, and on Catholic history,

especially in America.

Revolution and Counter-Revolution per C. J. U., Dublin, CaUf.

the Virgin Mary...

and policy...

E. X. B., Ikllahassee, Fla.

J. I. S., San Diego, Calif. E ...a comprehensive overview of the

many causes of the breakdown of the fam ily. How Catholic families can prepare

E ...something on the importance of

ual adoration and sanctify our workplace; on what some of our wonderful priests are doing to make our world a better place

themselves for the coming calamities, and

showing people the joy of being a

perhaps an outline of what those calami

Catholic, the happiness that can come with

ties may be. The one world government

the cross. Arguments to counteract the

instead of stagnating in evil.

and specifics as to how it will effect tradi

media scandals on the Church.

E] ...articles on what is positive about our Church; on how we can encourage perpet

D. R. W.,Seaford, Del.

tional Catholics. The role women have had

being a good example to others; also on

R. P. S., Newtown,Conn.

CRUSADE

Crusade

0 ...more articles on the dogma of

our Church — on the importance of proper attitude, dress, and respect for the Blessed Sacrament.

A. M. M.,Dana Point, Calif. E ...how Freemasonry has destroyed

morality and how it rules our country and world through the United Nations, government,judiciary, legis latures, and banking; how it has infil

"For hundreds of millions ofpeople, an evil empire still exists." — Rep. Chris Cox

Catholics join together to protest Jiang

trated its worst enemy, the one true

Church, in order to destroy it.

Zemin's visit to the United States

M. M. L., Council Bluff's, Iowa by Thomas Becket

O ...a biography of a saint as a regu lar section of each issue, particularly

From Hawaii to Washington to Harvard University, protesters hounded Red Chinese dictator Jiang Zemin during his recent visit to the United Stales, prov

Research Council, said: "We want to

0 ...something on the separation of

ing that the outrage Americans fee! is far

make a very clear statement that we are going to be on this issue for a long, long time. We think this is really an issue about America, not just about China. It is

Church and State, the power of the

from dead.

about who we are, what the values of the

media and who controls it; what is

Once again Americans saw tJieir nuclear technology given away for vague

American people are, whether our leader ship has the confidence and the energy to

lution vs. creationism, and historical

assurances that it will not be sold to our

effects of the teaching of evolution. B. R., Houston, Tx.

enemies, while no assurances were given or demanded that the rights of Catholics and others be respected in China. On the eve of Jiang's arrival at the

promote those values going into the twenty-first century."

for some of the more recent saints.

M. D.A., Baltimore, Ml.

free speech and what is obscene; evo

E ...more writing on history and our Catholic heritage, as well as on the

great heroes and leaders of Holy Mother Church. Also, more on tlie

cause of monarchy as a moral, social, and stabilizing influence.

T. C., Cambridge, Mass.

White House, Rep. Chris Smith spoke to a rally organized by the Catholic Alliance. "I've led three human rights

trips to the PRC during the last five years. I've been in Congress for 17 years and raised these issues over and over

again. Despite all of the talk that there is

The organizer of the rally and presi dent of the Catliolic Alliance, Rev. Keith

Foumier, had this message: "What we are

dealing with here is a spiritual struggle and what we are really dealing with is

evil. The only way evil can be overcome is by good, and it is going to lake prayer and solidarity. We know the truth about what is happen ing in China. We

13 ...what to look for in the coming

an easing-up, I have found that the reli

need to realize

millennium for conservatives. Is 1997 the actual 2,000th year since the birth

gious oppression has been bad and is get ting worse." he said.

that once we

of Our Lord? Any new archaeological

findings in the Holy Land that help prove our Christian Faith. Film reviews appropriate for families,

P. M.S., Spring Valley, Calif.

Speaking to Crusade Magazine. Mr. Gary Bauer. President of the Family

know something, we are account

able for it."

Right: Gary Bauer, president of the Family Research Council. Top and below: Rally organized by Catholic Alliance to

protest the visit of Red Chinese dictator, Jiang Zemin.

13 ...articles on the importance of Mary and the saints as role models for

today's youth and adults; on the spiri tual strength of the rosary and novenas; on the accountability of an unwatered-down Ten Commandments

T, A. D., High Ridge, Mo. 3 ...Freemasonry exposed — one-

world government/one-world reli gion. G. D. Z., Livonia, Mich.

NOVEMBER-DECEMBER, 1997

■

America Needs Fatima attends

high-profile conference in Rome by Juan Miguel Monies

On a clear Autumn day, America Needs

October 25, over 500 people filled the auditorium of

Rome s Augustinianum â&#x20AC;&#x201D; adjacent to Saint Peter s â&#x20AC;&#x201D; for an international

seminar on Fatima: A Message of Hope on the Threshold of the Third Millennium." They had come from all over Italy and even from abroad for

Above:The display of America Needs Fatima at the international Fatima Seminar in Rome.

Below: View of the auditorium during the conference

the event, organized by Italian associ ations Luci sull'Est and the Centro Cultuial Lepanto, to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Fatima

apparitions and to show their support for the extensive apostolate being done in the Eastern bloc nations and

the whole world to make Our Lady's message of Fatima better known.

His Eminence Alfons Cardinal

Stickler, S.D.B., presided over the seminar, which was fuither graced with the presence of Cardinals Opilio Rossi and Paul Augustin Mayer. O.S.B.

Fatima

Among the distinguished people present could be seen the patron of Luci suH'Est's

"Italy Needs Fatima" campaign. Archbishop Custodio Alvim Pereira, Archbishop emeritus of Lourenfo Marques and Dean of the Canons of St. Peter's Basilica; Bishop Arvaldis

Brumanis of Liepaja, Latvia; Bishop Paolo Hnlica founder of Pro Deo et

Fratribus, an association dedicated to

helping Catholics in ex-communist lands; Msgr. Gilles Wach,founder and prior of the Institute of Christ the King, Sovereign Priest; Msgr. Camille Perl, Secretary of the Pontifical Commission Ecclesia Dei\

Princess Urraca of Bourbon-Two Sicilies;

Prince Sforza Ruspoli; Princess Elvina Pallavicini; and Princess Elika del Drago.

Alfons Cardinal Stickler with Raymond Drake (right) and Thomas McKenna, president and vice president, respectively, of the American TFP

Messages of support from dignitaries who could not attend were received

from Cardinals Edward Cassidy, Josef Tomko, Giovanni Saldarini, Achille Silvestrini, Alfonso

Lopez Trujillo, and Carlo Furno; fifteen Italian archbish

ops and bishops (including the Archbishops of Siena and Ferrara); Their Imperial Highnes.ses Prince Luiz and Prince Bertrand of Orleans-

Braganza; Archduke Lorenz of Austria; and Their Royal

Highnesses Prince Amadeo of Savoy-Aosta, Prince Joao of Bishop Arvaldis Brumanis chats with Benoit

Bourbon-Two Sicilies, and Prince

Henrique of Hesse. The seminar began with the solemn

entrance of a pilgrim statue of Our Lady of Fatima, carried slowly through the crowd of the faithful by TFP members in

gala dress while everyone sang a Marian hymn. After being crowned by Cardinal Stickler, the statue was placed in the cen ter of the stage.

Cardinal Stickler delivered the opening

address on the significance of the Fatima message today. Drawing on Pope John

NOVEMBER-DECEMBER. 1997

Bemelmans of the French TFP {above)and {below, left Cardinal Stickler crowns the statue of

Our Lady of Fatima to open the conference.

to right) with Thomas McKenna, Roy O'Hanlon of the British TFP,and Raymond Drake.

Fatima

Paul IPs allocution of last May 14 in which the Pontiff

spoke of the "prophetic ministry of Fatima," Cardinal Stickler emphasized that the Fatima message is at the center of events in this twentieth century, for it points out the errors and offers the solution, that is, devotion to

the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

Latvian Bishop Arvaldis Andrejs Brumanis expressed his appreciation for the work done by the groups of young TF? volunteers who have traveled through his country spreading fliers and books, and he thanked the

seminar participants for their support of these journeys.

Latvia Bishop Arvaldis Andrejs Brumanis expressed his appreciation for the work done by the groups of young TFP volunteers who have traveled

through his country spreading fliers and books.

A learned discourse by Msgr. Rudolf Schmitz of the

Roman Academy of Theology was next. Msgr. Schmitz, who directs the Catholic Cultural Center of Kirghizistan, spoke on the theological meaning of the chastisements foreseen by Our Lady in Fatima, as well as the renova

tion of the world she promised with the triumph of her Immaculate Heart.

Dr. Antonio Augusto Borelli Machado, director of the

Brazilian TFP's archival and research department and author of Our Lady ofFatima: Prophecies of Tragedy or Hope? which has sold over 3,000,000 copies worldwide, analyzed the specific mission of the laity in the Fatima

message apostolate and the sacralization of the temporal order. The modem world, he explained, is in a most

grave crisis stemming from its growing secularization and the expulsion of the sacrality from everyday life. In the Fatima perspective, Dr. Borelli emphasized, it behooves the laity to launch a real cmsade for the sacral

ization of the temporal order, so that the Reign of Mary can begin. Above and below. Aspects of the Fatima campaign in ex-communist countries like Lithuania, Latvia, Ukraine, and Poland, a joint undertaking

of the French and Italian counterparts of America Needs Fatima

The closing speech was delivered by Prof. Roberto de

Mattel, professor of history at the University of Cassino and president of the Centro Cultural Lepanto. After reminding the audience that communism had not died, but had only transformed itself into a cultural revolution.

Prof, de Mattel pointed out that in Fatima Our Lady had promised the triumph of Christian civilization and the

inauguration of the Reign of Mary. This promise, he highlighted, is the light and strength that guides us in the stmggle. I

The Musicale Cappella di Sant'Antonio dei Portoghesi from Rome, under the direction of Maestro Massimo

Scapin, sang several musical pieces in the intervals between speeches. At the end of the session, the choir CRUSADE

Fatima

Above:Thomas McKenna (left) and Raymond Drake with Cardinals Stickler and Opilio Rossi An overview of the

Augustlnianum auditorium during Dr Antonio Borelll Machado's talk

I'lalii h3 bi^nsno di hltinW

Left to right: Thomas McKenna; Archbishop Custodio Alvim Pereira, Dean of the Canons of St. Peter's Basilica and Patron of

After the conference, participants gathered In the lobby to talk and take a look at the various displays.{Above)the publication display of \taly

Luc! sull'Est; Raymond Drake; and Marquis Luigi Coda Nunzlante

Needs Fatima.

sang the Pontifical hymn with trumpet accompaniment.

fliers, books, and rosaries, but above all to bring hope and confidence to thousands of still-faithful hearts.

Luci suH'Est, Centro Cultural Lepanto, America Needs Fatima, and Germany Needs Fatima had display tables in the lobby outside the auditorium. Raymond Drake and Thomas McKenna represented the America Needs Fatima

campaign. Copies of Jacinta's Story, a pictorial retelling of the story of Fatima by Andrea Fragelli, were presented to Cardinals Stickler and Rossi and to Bishop Brumanis.

Isolated and largely abandoned as these faraway brothers in the Faith may be by so many in the West, the next cara vans of TFP volunteers will unfailingly take them news on this Seminar, and certainly their stalwart souls will be

encouraged at the thought that in Rome, the Eternal City,

devoted Catholics from several countries gathered together

of the many "caravans" of young TFP volunteers who sacri

for the 80th anniversary of the Fatima apparitions in order to reflect on what this century has been and what still awaits it, apprehensive as to the chastisements mankind

fice leisure and comfort to undertake often perilous jour neys to the former communist countries to distribute Fatima

must go through, yet filled with a holy certainty that finally, Our Lady's Immaculate Heart will triumph! â&#x2013;

Luci suIl'Est's table featured an extensive photo display

NOVEMBER-DECEMBER, 1997

[) ne Christmas night, Our Lord,

But He was already being shoved out into the street â&#x20AC;&#x201D; as the

denying Himself the comfort of visiting those households

midst of a modem city to

woman playing the piano sang, "Peace on earth and mercy mild." Not even the Roman soldiers had been so hasty. Outside, Christ allowed Himself to be swept along by the throng that flowed like a river between the stores and markets. He saw toys, and more toys, everywhere, and a few Santa Clauses, but rarely a

see

manger scene.

where He knows He is

loved, came down into the what

sinners

were

doing. Christmas!... Christmas!...

Joy was universal. Every one was celebrating. Christ encountered a policeman com pletely engrossed in directing

traffic in a busy plaza. Christ stepped up to him and asked, "What does this holiday of Christmas

peace-loving souls, hurrying somewhere to celebrate Christmas.

Christ followed them, invisible to their eyes. They entered their home and climbed the staircase to their apartment, where others had

already gathered. He watched as they opened bottles, served pas tries, and then as they ate and drank.

"Imagine, said one, "just for a change of pace, I went to Midnight Mass!

'Oh? said another, barely considering the remark, "And how

mean?"

The policeman eyed Him:"Where do you come from?"

"From Bethlehem." ^ "Where?" ^

Our Lord then caught sight of a married couple carrying a few small precious bundles. They seemed to be good, middle-class,

was it?"

Well, it wasn t as pleasant as a good concert, but quite amusing ^

"Bethlehem."

"Oh? Wherever that is. Anyway, don't you know that Christmas is a holiday for kids? It's a holiday for everybody. On Christmas, everybody is somebody's kid!"

nevertheless. Saw a number of friends there..."

The apartment had neither a crucifix nor a manger scene. Christ could not long endure the senseless conversation, so He turned away and slowly descended the staircase.

A short distance down the road. Our Lord found Himself near

"What is the origin of this holiday?"

the playground of a large school. Above the gate a prominent sign

"Look, you ask too many que.stions. Can't you see I'm very

proclaimed."Christmas Party for the Children of District 10." Ah, children, little children! Our Lord went in.

busy? If you want to know more, go ask the chief."

There were hundreds ot children inside, receivins toys, candy, and books. As they noisily ran and tumbled about, important look ing women hurried about under the gaze of a headmistress. Again, neither a manger scene nor a crucifix could be seen, and nobody Christmas!,.. Christmas!...

mentioned the name of the Child Jesus.

Every store glittered with worldly displays. Really, what was

As Christ stood there, a feeling of isolation grew in His heart. He was a trespasser. Finally, He approached a young boy whose arms

behind it?

Christ paused by a restaurant advertising "Christmas Party â&#x20AC;&#x201D; $50.00." Ladies and gentlemen in elegant evening attire were enter ing the place. He stepped inside. Tables, covered with white linen

overflowed with toys. The boy reminded Him of His little friends of

and lighted with red and green candles, were arranged in rows.

The boy stared at Him with a puzzled air: "Child Jesus?"

bygone days in Bethlehem.

Do you love tlie Child Jesus who has given you so many nice toys?"

Bottles of champagne, with gilded foil about their necks, nestled in ice-filled silver pails. A woman, tuming around and seeing Our

"Don't you know Him?"

Lord, gestured indignantly at one of the waiters: "What is this? You

The headmistress, as if sensing some danger afoot, rushed over: What did this man say to you?" she frantically asked the boy.

let panhandlers in here?"

The waiter, a young man of fifteen or so. rushed over to Him.

"What are you doing in here?" he demanded."Begging is permitted only out on the sidewalk!"

Chri.st studied the young man. "If only you knew what it is that I am 'begging'..."

"No..."

Upon learning what Our Lord had asked and what Name He had

dared mention, her eyes glared with annoyance. "Be so kind as to leave... At once!"

Chri.st again walked through the streets, no longer entering any of the places He passed. He wandered as His mother had in

CRUSADE

1 Bethlehem, on a night like this and on the same date so long ago. He roamed through the endless streets, passing innumerable places where His creatures celebrated Christmas without knowing its true meaning. He hesitated to return to Heaven with such observations, for they would sadden the saints...

ly^eary. He came to the edge of a neglected suburb. A white build ing ablaze with tiny lights caught His eye. Approaching and looking through one of the windows, He saw His own image prominently dis

played on the wall. His eyes brightened, as if reflecting the hundreds of lights outside, when He noticed that in one comer of the room was a simple but attractively arranged manger scene. Just then the door opened and a boy came out, a boy like those who not infrequently come under the care of a parish. The boy stopped abruptly at the sight of the golden-haired man shivering in the dark ness. Icy gusts blew around them.

"Sir, you could freeze out here! You need to get out of the cold." "I am quite cold," answered Our Lord.

"Come in, then. We have a good fire going," And so Our Lord entered.

Near the fireplace, a group of children were closely gathered around a young priest. As the fire crackled and filled the room with its warmth

and light, the priest told the children about the infinite grandeur hidden

within the little figure of the Child Jesus in the manger. He stopped his tale the moment Our Lord entered the room.

"Come in! Oh. you look cold! Warm yourself here."

The children promptly offered the newcomer a place close to the fire.

"Have you had anything to eat? Joseph, go ask your mother to pre pare something hot for this gentleman."

Christ's gaze slowly passed over all of them, one by one, as if He were memorizing every little face. Above all. He gazed at the young priest.

"Are you alone, my friend?" asked the priest kindly.

"Yes."

Seized by soul-stirring curiosity, all eyes turned inquisitively upon the stranger, waiting.

Christ did not speak. Very slowly, regally, Jesus's hand moved. He extended it over their heads, reaching beyond the humble cottages of that neighborhood and encompassing that immense city whose mis eries He had witnessed close up. In a tone of voice that none of those

present would ever forget, He exclaimed: "Misereor super nirbas!" â&#x20AC;&#x201D; I have pity upon this people! Then, slowly, before their astonished eyes. He disappeared. "It was He!" cried one of the boys.

The young priest nodded solemnly. "Yes... It must have been..." â&#x2013;

-4

NOVEMBER-DECEMBER, 1997

How Can We Make Christmas More

Meaningful for Our Children? certain mother, having been blessed with four lively children, found that they became increasingly quarrel

For the next few weeks, peace returned to the home. The chil dren were often seen scun7ing here or there in earnest silence;

some as Christmas approached. She tried persuasion of all sorts to harmonize their differences, but they seemed impervious to all her attempts. Finally, one sorely try

formed around the family by determined little hands. Every week, new names were picked out of the cap. and every week, more

ing day a month before Christmas, she found she could endure it no longer. She called them to her and bade them sit down: "I have a new

wondrously. things were invisibly cleaned, organized, and per

straws accumulated in the hand-made manger.

Mother found the children becoming more pleasant with one another, smiling more, complaining less vocally, being much

game." she cheerfully confided to them. "Would you like to hear about it?" Even as they yelled out, "Yes! Yes!" they pushed and shoved each other on the step they shared, all trying to outdo the

more attentive. Rooms were tidied, floors cleared of

toys, clothes put away. Ail in silence, all in "secret."

However, the mother had noticed that

other in replying.

every time her oldest son picked out a

"All right." said the mother, "the Infant Jesus is coming soon and

new name for the week, he always pouted in displeasure. The last time he

He has no bed. We will make

picked out and read his new

Him a bed. but we also need a

name, he threw it down, rushed

mattress for Him. Now, in this game, we will need secrecy. Can all of you keep a

outside, and disappeared into his little igloo in the back yard. His mother followed

secret?"

and crawled inside beside

"Yeessss!! I can keep a

him.

secret!" came the disorder

"What's the matter, son?"

ly but unanimous reply.

"I always get the same

"Okay. This is what

name! I won't clean up

we'll do. We will all write

Molly's messy room or

our names on slips of paper, and each of us will choose one. Each day for a

straighten out her shoes

again! Every week I get her name. I can't stand doing it

whole week we will do a

any more!"

special good deed for that

"Well." coaxed the mother

person. But here is the hard part! You cannot tell anyone

sweetly, "there is no rule to say that we can't switch names,

is there? I'll take your sister's

who that person is, or what you did for him. It's a secret! For every

name, and you take mine, okay?"

good deed you do. you will

He smiled up at her in relief, and

place one straw in the Infant's

together they returned to the house.

During the course of that day. howe\'er. Mother, with the hectic schedule that every mother has. forgot all about her newest duty.

crib. If you are all really good about your secrets, the Infant Jesus will have a truly comfoilable mattress to lie on when He comes."

This prospect fascinated the children, so they cheerfully scribbled their names on individual pieces of paper. At dinner time. Dad scrambled the papers around in his cap. and solemnly offered it to each child in turn. Each little hand picked,

At the end ol the day. tired and worn out. she sud

read, and hid the secret name that fell to his lot.

denly icmembercd. She rushed to her daughter's room to tidy if up belorc the little girl noticed anything amiss, but as she opened the bedroom door she stopped, wonderfully touched. The room was in Hawless order, and the little shoes positivclv glowed

After supper, the oldest boy disappeared int<) the basement, from which nothing could be heard but (he sounds of sawing and

of them!

hammering for some time. Two hours later he reissued into the

kitchen, proudly carrying a manger for the Infant Jesus. It wasn't perfect, but it would serve very well indecd.

in a neat little row by the bed. He had. after all. done it'for both Finally. Christmas day dawned. When Mother and Dad gath ered the childreti to place (he Infant Jesus in His manger, the crib was overllowing with straw! That Christmas was a special one.

Cover Article

The Fifth Marian Dogma: Coredemptrix, Mediatrix, and Advocate by Orlando Lyra

Asthe third millennium approaches, a growing movement with in the Catholic Church wants the Pope to define Our Lady's role as Coredemptrix, Mediatrix of all graces, and Advocate of

Jesus. She is said to be subordinate to Jesus not only in that she is

inferior to Him, but also in that she concurred in saving us by a

grace proceeding from His merits. She therefore acted in Him, with Him, and by Him.

mankind as a dogma of our Faith. More than four million per sons have signed petitions submitted to Rome by Vox Populi

We must never forget that "there is one God and one medi ator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus" (1

Mariae Mediatrici, an international Catholic movement coor

Timothy 2:5). He redeemed Mary by preserving her from

dinating the petition drive. Among the signers can be found 42

original sin. Similarly, it is through Him that she con tributed to saving us.

cardinals and 500 bishops.

This Marian fervor has sparked controver

sy not only in the Catholic realm, but also in

Mary's association with Jesus in the redemption is

the secular media. Newsweek's August 25,

therefore not like that of the Apostles, but is something

1997, issue featured the controversy in its

more intimate. Saint Albert the Great formulated this

well when he said: "The Blessed Virgin Mary was chosen by God not to be His minister but to be His consort and His helper, "/« consortium et adjutorium," according to the words of Genesis:"Let us

cover story. Star reporter Kenneth L. Woodward

suggested that a new doctrine on Mary was about to be invented, saying that this new dogma "would elevate Mary's status dramatically beyond what most

make him a help like to himself." That is why the

Christians profess."

Fathers of the Church tell us that the Blessed Virgin,

Is that argument valid? Perhaps reporters like Mr. Woodward should take

the Mother of the Redeemer, is associated with Him

a deeper look at Catholic teaching. A new dogma is not a "new doctrine," but simply the spelling out of something long implied or even explicitly believed in

in the work of redemption,just as Eve was associated

Catholic Tradition. Our Lady's unique and intimate

theologians who oppose the proclamation of the fifth dogma. They oppose it not because there is some

with Adam in the work of man's ruin.

This doctrine on Mary is accepted even by Catholic

cooperation with her divine Son in the work of redemption is already a common and certain doc

thing wrong with it, but simply because they do not

trine, fidei proxima, deeply rooted in Tradition and Scripture.

consider this an opportune time — "tenipus opportunum" — for a new dogma. More study and prayer is needed, they say.

Precisely because it is already a well-established doctrine, many Catholic theologians see no need for

Crusade

has interviewed

two

acclaimed

Mariologists: Fr. Frederick M. Jelly, O.P., Professor of Systematic Theology at Mount Saint Mary Seminary in Emmitsburg, Maryland, and Dr. Mark

a new dogma. But Saint Paul exhorts us to confess

and proclaim our faith publicly. At this moment in history, many Catholics consider it of utmost

importance that our faith in the role of Mary be

I. Miravalle, Professor of Mariology at the Franciscan University of Steubenville (Ohio) and

clearly defined and proclaimed. As Mother

Angelica pointed out, "the fifth and last dogma on Mary is absolutely necessary for Our Lady to triumph over Satan. And we don't have to be very bright to

international president of Vox Populi Mariae Mediatri ci. While agreeing about the basic doctrine on Mary, they diverge on whether it is opportune to define the

know that Satan is well around, working very hard." On the opposite side, we find respected

new dogma.

Perhaps a definition of the fifth dogma on Our

Catholic theologians who are afraid the new dogma may cause confusion

Lady will help clarify her intimate role in the work

of Redemption. Historically, theological expressions like "Hypostatic union,""Homoo-

among believers. To them, calling Mary Coredemptrix could mislead a lot of faithful to think that Our Lady

usion" (consubstantial), and "Transubstan-

—^

redeemed us along with Christ. Clearly, Mary is not the principal cause of the Redemption. She could not redeem us in

tiation," were not terms frequently used in '

■*

the common language of the faithful.

When clarified after their definition, they became the touchstone of orthodoxy

nate Divine Person. She is actually a secondary, dis

against Arianism and Protestantism. Likewise, a new dogmatic definition on Mary could be the touchstone for a deeper understanding of Our Lady's unique role as Coredemptrix,

positive, cause of salvation, and subordinate to

Mediatrix of all graces, and Advocate.

justice, de condigno, since that required a theandric (that is, pertaining to both God and man) act of infinite value, which could belong only to an incar

\ -■

Should the Third Millennium begin with t Mark I. Miravalle, S.T.D. To properly celebrate the Incarnation, it is theologically and historically important to celebrate the role of Mary as the Co-Redemptrix, Mediatrix, and Advocate." Crusade — A growing movement within the Catholic

pierce your own heart" is brought to full fruition at the greatest act

Church wants the Pope to proclaim a new dogma on the

of human history, the Redemption of man by Jesus, the Redeemer, and Mary, the Co-Redemptrix, or as the early Fathers of the Church

Blessed Virgin Mary: that she is Co-Redemptrix,

Mediatrix, and Advocate of mankind. Do you think the Church should commemorate the third millennium with

this new dogma?

referred to her,"the New Eve with the New Adam." Hence, to prop erly celebrate the Incarnation, it is theologically and historically important to celebrate the role of Mary as the Co-Redemptrix, Mediatrix, and Advocate in a way which pre

Dr. Miravalle — It is first important to note that this proposed new dogma is in no sense new

cedes the celebration of the Incarnation,just

as Mary's "yes" at the Annunciation preced ed the great and glorious event of the

doctrine. The traditional teachings of the Church, as well as the consistent Magisterial teaching of

Incarnation itself.

the nineteenth and twentieth century Pontiffs,

As the late Mother Teresa explained it to me:"Of course Mary is Co-Redemptrix. She gave the body to Jesus, and that body of Jesus was the instrument of Redemption."

articulate that the Mother of Jesus is the Co-

Redemptrix, Mediatrix of all grace, and Advocate. Our present Pope, John Paul II, has summa

rized this mediatorial role of the Blessed Virgin

And Hebrews 10:10 tells us "we are all saved

with the expression "Maternal Mediation." As

by the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all." Who gave Jesus His body but

was the case with the dogmatic proclamations of the Immaculate Conception and the Assumption, the proposed dogmatic proclamation by the Holy Father of Mary Co-Redemptrix, Mediatrix of all

Mary, the woman with the Redeemer, the Co-Redemptrix? We also find ourselves at the climax of the

universally designated "Age of Mary," which began approximately around the time of the Miraculous Medal apparitions in Rue de Bac in 1830, and the dogmatic proclamation of the Immaculate Conception in 1854. We find ourselves at a climax of this "Age of Mary"

grace, and Advocate has worldwide support of

both the episcopate and the laity. Accompanied with the endorsements of 500 bishops (including 42 cardinals), an unprecedented 4.5 million peti tions from the faithful have been presented to the Holy Father for this definition in the last four years alone. The Mother of God executes her functions

Prof. Mark I. Miravalle, Professor of

with the preeminence of the ''Totus Tuus"

Theology at the Franciscan University of

Pope, John Paul II. This new dogma will

as Co-Redemptrix, Mediatrix, and Advocate in

Steubenville, received his licentiate and

give support to his motto "Totus Tuns" —

her maternal dimension as the Mother of the

doctorate in theology from the

Church and Mother of all humanity. She is the "Mother suffering" (Co-Redemptrix), the "Mother nourishing" (Mediatrix of all grace), and the "Mother interceding" (Advocate). The

Angelicum in Rome, graduating Magna

Entirely yours, Mary." an act of Marian consecration which derives its proper theo

cum Laude.

logical foundation from the Maternal

His enthusiasm for the Faith has translated into numerous written and

appropriateness of this solemn definition in

spoken works on a variety of theological

light of the third millennium is made manifest by John Paul II's call for all Christians to cele

topics. He has lectured widely around

brate the great jubilee of the year 2000, the anniversary of the great and mysterious reality

the world and has contributed to numer

Mediation of Mary. Crusade — Vatican Council II did

not use the term co-redeniptrix in its teacliing on Our Lady. Would it be confusing or misleading to make Mary "Co-Rcdeniptrix,'" given that

ous Catholic periodicals, including the Wanderer, Mary's People, and the National Catholic Register. His pub

the English prefix "co," from the

lished books include Introduction to

putting the one who is "co" on the same level as the one with whom he

Redemptrix) through a continual fiat of her

Mary: The Heart of Marian Doctrine and Devotion, Maty: Coredemptrix, Mediatrix, Advocate: Theological Foundations /, and Mary Coredemptrix, Mediatrix, Advocate: Theological

maternal heart, which climaxes at the foot of

Foundations II.

the cross at Calvary. The great prophecy of Simeon at the Temple that "a sword shall also

He is president of the international lay Catholic movement Vox Populi Mariae Mediatrici, which has petitioned

of the Incarnation of the Word.

How can we appropriately celebrate the Incarnation and not properly acknowledge the woman and mother whose free and active fiat

made the Incarnation possible? The Virgin... continues to work with the Redeemer (as Co-

worldwide for the definition of the 14

dogma discus.scd in this interview. The

petition has already gathered over four million signatures.

Latin cum,frequently denotes or she is "co""'

Dr. Miravalle — We begin by acknowledg ing the fact that Pope John Paul II has already, on six occasions, in papal teach ings, used the title "Co-Redemptrix," a term used by the papal magisteriums of Continues p.16 CRUSADE

le Proclamation of a new Marian dogma? Fr. Frederick M. Jelly, O.P 'Making Mary Co-Redemptrix would be confusing. It could mislead a lot of the faithful to think that Mary redeemed us along with Christ." Crusade — A growing movement within the Catholic Church wants the Pope to proclaim a new dogma, that

times. But that is not necessarily a definition. I was not on the com

the Blessed Virgin Mary Is Co-Redeniptrix of mankind.

ber, that studied this, but anytime my opinion in the matter has been asked, I explained that right now I'm afraid it would cau.se too

Would this new dogma place Mai N on the same level as Our Lord Jesus Christ in the process of salvation?

mission of the Pontifical Roman Academy, of which 1 am a mem

many ambiguities, too many confusions.

I certainly believe there is a way to explain Father Jelly — First of all, those who are favoring this dogma would surely intend that the concept behind Co-Redemptrix mean that

co-redemption and apply it to Mary. But, she is

completely subordinate to Christ; she is com pletely dependent upon Christ. As Vatican II teaches, she does not add anything to or take anything away from Christ as the sole

Mary is still subordinate to Christ, that is. a helpmate, a second Eve. Very early on in tra dition, Saint Justin Martyr and Saint Irenaeus

Redeemer of the whole world. But I think that

spoke about Christ as the Second Adam, as

until such a clarification is made it would be

Saint Paul did. They said, "Well, then, how

premature.

fitting that there be a second Eve. Who more

I am not arguing per se against the con

fitting than His mother?" But that never put

cept. In a certain sense we are all co-

Mary on the same level as Christ. He, as the

But, the problem is that in English the pre fix "co" ordinarily or very frequently denotes putting the one who is "co" on the same level

redeemers. If we do not accept the redeeming grace of Jesus Christ ourselves, as freeagents, well, grace obviously does not wind us up like robots to be nice and to be good and so on. We must want to do that; we must cooper-

as the one with whom he or she is "co," as, for

ate with the grace. Still, we realize that before

example, a co-signer on a check. That would

all else is grace, the gift of God's love, that makes it possible for us to work out our sal-

God-Man, is our sole Redeemer.

be saying something the Church never said, that Mary redeemed us along with Christ.

She certainly made the Redemption possi

Now. I believe that among those who were redeemed. Mary had a role unlike anybody

ble by saying "yes" at the Annunciation, but

her "yes" was but a necessary condition for

Fr. Frederick M. Jelly, O.P.. Professor of Systematics at Mt. St.

else. She is the Theotokns, the Mother of the free consent to become the God-bearer, then

redemptrix in its teaching on Our Blessed

Mary's Seminary, Emmitsburg, Maryland, was ordained a Dominican priest in 1956 and received his

Mother, because it seems so liable to misun

Doctorate and Lectorate in Sacred

the Incarnation, which made our redemption by the Word-made-flesh possible. Vatican II did not use the term co-

derstanding. Now, it is true that we some Theology from the Pontifical Faculty of times use the prefix "co" for one in a subor- > the Immaculate Conception, Dominican dinate position, such as a co-pilot. But for the I House of Studies, Washington, D.C.

most pan, I think that making Mary CoRedemptrix would be confusing. It could mislead a lot of the faithful to think that Mary redeemed us along with Christ. Christ, and

I I I I

His doctoral dissertation. The Notion

of Theonomy in Paul Tillich's Systematic Theology: A Thomistic Evaluation for a Theology of Secularity, addresses the role of religion and moral

Word-made-flesh. Because God wanted her

certainly we say that, of all human beings, she had the greatest hand in making our redemption possible. This was by saying "yes" to her vocation to be the Mother of God Incarnate.

However, that kind of explanation has to precede the use of this word, because very often it is interpreted as if we Catholics meant that she, along with Christ, redeemed

us. She and the saints are the great mediators

Christ alone, is our Redeemer, our mediator I of redemption. I ity in the public forum of a secularized I think that this, in a relatively brief way, I .society.

of intercession on our behalf, but He. and He

illustrates why Vatican II did not use co- \

Whom has God's mercy been extended to us?

redemptrix.

I Department of Systematic Theology. A

Mary has made that possible by saying "yes"

fellow of the International Pontifical

to the Archangel Gabriel at Nazareth, and so

Crusade — Nevertheless, John Paul I

II lius often used this terminology as

regards Our l-ady.

Father Jelly — Well, yes, a number of

NOVEMBER-DECEMBER, 1997

Fr. Jelly .serves as Coordinator of the

alone, is the one Mediator of Redemption. Who saved us? Who healed us? Through

Marian Academy, he assisted the

we have a wonderful basis of devotion to her.

American bishops in their Marian

But if this is going to lead to thinking that she

1970's Pastoral Letter: Behold Your

redeemed us. then that is not Catholic doc

Mother: Woman of Faith, and is the

trine.

author of Madonna: Mary in the Catholic Tradition. Fr. Jelly is past pres ident of the Mariological Society of America.

Continues p.17 15

Dr. Mark I. Miravalle

minology, but to educate the People of God, lest we be called

Popes Saint Pius X and Pius XI as well. The title "Co-

Redemptrix" is already con tained in Catholic teaching

to rewrite all the Church Fathers

who, for example, refer to the Christian life and its pursuit as

and tradition regarding the

unique role of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the Redeemer's work of salvation.

"seeking divinization or deification." The point is that no single term more properly

became most worthily the reparatrix of the

'lost world' and dispensatrix of all the gifts that our Savior purchased for us by His death and His blood" (Ad diem ilium, 1904); "For she is the neck of our Head by ,which He communicates to His Mystical

Body all spiritual gifts" (Ibid).

Although the Second Vatican Council

identifies Mary's role with and subordinate

did not explicitly use the term co-

to Jesus Christ as an explanation of the

ing and dying Son, Mary endured suffering

work of salvation than the term "Co-

and almost death.... One can truly affirm that together with Christ she has redeemed

redemptrix, this "co-redemptive role" of Mary is most emphatically seen in Lumen Gentium:

"Thus the Blessed Virgin advanced in

her pilgrimage of faith, and faithfully perse vered in union with her Son unto the Cross,

where she stood, in keeping with the divine

plan, endured with her only-begotten Son the intensity of His suffering, associated

Redemptrix," hence its past and present papal usage. Crusade — How is Our Lady

the "Mediatrix of all graces" in the Sacraments, in the Eucharist, for example, when we receive her Divine Son, Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity directly?

lation of this Victim which was bom of her."

The clear reference to Mary's participa tion in the sacrificial act of Calvary is also reaffirmed by the recent Wednesday audi ence of 24 September 1997, where our Holy

all grace.

The context of "mediatrix" as presented

term Mediatrix within proper lim

cy of the redeeming sacrifice and Mary's

its. First is a maternal mediation

conscious co-operation with Christ's sacri ficial offering does not allow any limitation of her motherly love."

within the family, not as an out sider: Mary "puts herself "in the

in the common usage of the English lan

guage, where "co" does not imply equality. For example, the co-pilot's role is clearly subordinate to that of the pilot. The same comparison may be drawn with a star and a

middle,' that is to say, she acts as a mediatrix, not as an outsider, but in her position as a mother" (Redemptoris Mater). Moreover, when several popes of the nine

teenth and twentieth century refer to Mary's role as "Mediatrix of

all graces," the clear context is that it is a mediation of grace from Christ to the

"She teaches us all virtues; she gives us her Son and with Him all the

help we need,for 'God wished us to have everything through Mary'" Pope Pius XII

-rZugh whom [Christ] has chosen to

be the dispenser of all heav enly graces"(Superiore anno,

1884); "It is right to say that nothing at all of the immense treasury of every grace which the Lord accumulated — for

'grace and truth come from Jesus Christ' (John 1:17) — nothing is

co-star. Furthermore, Saint Paul calls us all to be "co-workers"(I Cor. 3:9) which, of

imparted to us except through Mary"

course, does not mean equality with Jesus

(Octobri Mense, 1891).

Christ, Who alone is God and man.

In general, we are called not to dilute the

Pope Saint Pius X: "...dispensatrix of all the gifts acquired by the death of the

rich meaning of Catholic tradition and ter-

Redeemer" (Ad diem ilium, 1904); "...she

1918); Pope Benedict approved the Mass and Office of Mediatrix of All Graces in

Pope Pius XI: "...the Virgin who is the

papal statements, does use the

"with," not "equal to." There are cases, even

Virgin.... (Apostolic letter Inter Sodalicia,

treasurer of all graces with God..."

Calvary:

from the Latin word cum, which means

through the hands of the same sorrowful

by recalling the consistent nineteenth and twentieth century Magisterial teachings regarding Our Lady's role as Mediatrix of

in Pope John Paul II's encyclical Redemptoris Mater, as well as in previous

Regarding the prefix "co," it does come

kind of grace we receive from the treasury

of the redemption is ministered as it were

Dr. Miravalle — First of all, let's begin

Father talks about the inclusion of Mary in the sacrificial offering of her Son at "On the other hand, the universal effica

the human race.... For this reason, every

1921.

herself with His sacrifice in her mother's

heart, and lovingly consented to the immo

Pope Benedict XV:"For with her suffer

(Apostolic letter Cognitium sane, 1937); "We know that all things are imparted to us from God, the greatest and best, through the hands of the Mother of God"

(Ingravescentibus malis, 1937). Pope Pius XII; "...since...it is the will of

Fr. Frederick Jelly

Crusade — Some official Church documents — Lumen

Heaven she who had such an

wide of the mark in Catholic

intimate role in the accom

teaching.

Gentium, for instance — also

plishment of our redemption

The difference between

refer to Mary as Mediatrix and

— not that she redeemed us but

just saying that she is co-

Advocate. Could you explain those titles? Did the Marian mys

that she made it possible by

redemptrix and in a certain

tery in God's plan of salvation end with the earthly life and the

Assumption of the Virgin of Nazareth?

Father Jelly — Well, the term mediatrix does have a different etymology from

redemptrix. I would use the notion of medi ation to say, of course, that Christ is the one mediator of redemption. Mary and the

sense mediatrix doesn't bear

giving us the Redeemer — that

the same terminological prob

she in Heaven would be the

great one in mediating all the graces that

lem. As a theologian, I believe in this and I

Her Son obtained for us, won for us, by His

accept it, but I am not free as a preacher and a teacher to say this is a dogma of our Faith. Now, I don't say that these could not become dogmas, but I am quite sure that the Holy Father would not declare them dog

atoning death, by His sacrifice upon the cross — which, of course, as Roman

Catholics we firmly believe that we cele brate and make present again and again every time we have the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.

mas until he is very sure that they would be

clearly understood by the faithful, and not just by theologians.

saints are ones who mediate the

graces of Christ distributing Maj-y as mcdiatrlx has to be underthem. So you might say, as the J question is formulated, that Mary, stOOd... McdiatriX Of BU graCCS IS QUite a while on earth, had a very special i 'i.* a role in the acquisition and the clailll, bCCaUSe thCre arC some legitimate working out of our redemption, , ,i . a i • because she brought us Christ. qUeStlOHS that WC mUSt aSK 111 OFdef to But Christ, and Christ alone, was make it meaningful. called to suffer and die on the cross and to rise for our salvation. Certainly Mary made all that possible,

Mary as mediatrix has to be understood... Mediatrix of all

graces is quite a claim, because legiumate quesuons that we must ask in order make it meaningful. How is she the mediatrix of the graces

the Sacraments, in

the

Eucharist, for example, when we receive her Divine Son,

But to say that Mary is the mediatrix,

body, blood, soul, and divinity directly?

by being the Mother of the Word. And how

that she is distributing graces that she her

Now, she brought Him to us, and I think

fitting it is that we Catholics and, I believe,

self merited for us in the strict sense that

that there is a way of saying that she has a

the Eastern Orthodox also, believe that in

Jesus merited our redemption, would be

Continues p.19

From across the globe Dr. Mark MIravalle has collected over four million signatures in favor of the proclamation of the fifth Marian Dogma. These signatures are sent to the Vatican where we pray and hope they will one day help the Holy Father decide to push forth Its cause. (Right and below): An expression of devotion to the Mother of God in a recent Marian procession In Lithuania

Dr. Mark I. Miravalle God that we obtain all favors

through Mary, let everyone hasten to have recourse to

Mary" (Superiore anno, 1940); "She teaches us all

virtues; she gives us her Son and with Him all the help we

Of course, in the most general sense it is Mary who gives the body and blood of Jesus in the Eucharist, by giving flesh to the Word in the first great tabernacle

Rather, they show Mary's unique participa tion with the Holy Trinity as Daughter of the Father, Mother of the Son, and Spouse of the Holy Spirit.

of Jesus: Mary's womb.

The temi "Advocate" regarding Mary

I would also refer you to a 1983

has an ancient usage, going back to Saint Irenaeus, as Pope John Paul II pointed out

need,for 'God wished us to have everything

Angelus address of John Paul II, on the

in his recent audience of September 24. The

through Mary'" {Mediator Dei, 1947). When we consider Our Lady Mediatrix

feast of Corpus Christi, where he speaks of

Holy Father reminded us that Saint Irenaeus

Mary's "presence" at the Mass:

calls Mary "an Advocate for Eve, the first

of all grace and her relationship with the Sacraments, we begin by acknowledging that Mary's mediatorial role has already been established in light of her role as the Co-Redemptrix, as the "New Eve," who uniquely participated in the acquisition of the graces of the Redemption. This is also why Our Lady can be called

"Bom of the Virgin to be a pure, holy,

Mother of the living." John Paul II also said:

and immaculate oblation, Christ offered on

"Mary exercises her role as 'Advocate' by cooperating both with the Spirit the

the cross the one, holy, and perfect sacri fice which every Mass, in an unbloody

Paraclete and with the One Who interceded

manner, renews and makes present. In that

on the Cross for His persecutors. Whom

one sacrifice, Mary, the first redeemed, the

John calls our 'advocate with the Father'(I John 2:1). As a mother, she defends her children and protects them from the harm

Mother of the Church, had an active part. She stood near the Crucified, suffered deeply with her First-Bom; with a mother ly heart, she associated herself with His

caused by their own sins." The Second Vatican Council also affiims

even graces distributed during the period of

sacrifice; with love she consented to His

the proper use of the title "Advocate" for the

the Old Testament. The Cross and Redemp tion are the center of human history, and as the Father applied graces for Mary's own Immaculate Conception, which was an application of the foreseen graces obtained from the Cross at Calvary to Mary, graces

immolation; she offered herself as a sacri

Blessed Virgin Mary. "Therefore the

fice to the Father."

Blessed Virgin is invoked under the titles

Fr. William Most, an internationally rec ognized theologian and scholar, in offering a theological explanation of the process,

Advocate, Helper, Benefactress, and Mediatrix"{Lumen Gentium, n. 62). Rather than replacing the Holy Spirit, the constant and traditional designation of Mary as Advocate manifests the mysterious and profound intimacy of the Holy Spirit and Mary, an intimacy best explained by the

the "Mediatrix of all grace" regarding those graces distributed before [her lifetime],

puts it simply: "The grace of the

applied to Mary at a time before the actual

Sacraments comes from Jesus to Mary,

event of Calvary, so too in light of Mary's

through Mary to the Church, through the

co-redemptive role, she exercised a media

Church to the Sacraments."

torial role in the distribution of all grace

As the Church already is a mediating

insofar as she participated in the acquisition

factor for all Sacraments of the Church,

theology of Saint Maximilian Kolbe. He tells us that Maiy is the human instrument

of all graces, of course as secondary and

there is no difficulty in understanding the

of the Holy Spirit, and therefore we have

subordinate to her divine

Mary's role as Advocate in

Son.

bringing petitions from human

In specific reference to the Sacraments, we know that the grace of the Sacra ments

also

comes

from

Calvary, and the co-redemp tive and distributive role of

"This is the process of divine graces: from God they flow to Christ, from Christ to his Mother, and from her to the Church...."

Mary also comes from her

Saint Bemardine of Siena

participation at Calvary. Therefore, the graces of the

ity to the throne of Christ the King. Saint Louis Marie de Montfort tells us that it was the

Holy Spirit and Mary, the Spirit and the Bride (cf. Apoc. 22:17), that began New Testament sal

vation history, and it will be

Mary as well who will prepare for the definitive coming of the

Sacraments are also mediated to us in its

mediating factor of Mary between Christ

selfsame Christ.

most general

Mary,

and the Church, which represents Saint

Therefore, the proper usage of the title "Advocate" for the Blessed Virgin Mary is

According to some theologians, even in

Bernard's image of Mary as the "neck" of the Mystical Body, connecting the Head

sense, through

Mediatrix of all grace. a most specific sense, the formula of Saint

and its members.

Bemardine of Siena, which was quoted by Pope Leo XIII, makes the case clear:

"This is the process of divine graces: from God they flow to Christ, from Christ to his Mother, and from her to the Church....

I do not hesitate to say that she has received a certain jurisdiction over all graces.... They are administered through her hands..."

Crusade — John's Gospel uses "Advocate" as a name for the

Holy Spirit. Could not calling Mary "Advocate," then, lead to

some confusion regarding the Trinity? Dr. Miravalle — None of these doctri

(Sermon V de nativiate B.V.M.). Mary also mediates all actual graces,

Mediatrix, and Advocate in any way places

which leads us to the Eucharistic sacrifice.

her on a level of equality with the Trinity.

nal roles of Mary as Co-Redemptrix,

not only traditional in its teaching, but

brings out the proper pneumatological dimension of Mary's service for humanity. I would close with the most ancient Marian prayer, which so well shows her role as

Advocate, particularly in times of need: "We fly to your patronage, O Holy Mother of God, despise not our petitions in our necessities, but deliver us Irom all danger,0 ever glorious and blessed Virgin" {Sub Tuum Praesidium, 250 A.D.). ■

CRUSADE

Fr. Frederick Jelly hand somehow in the distribution of all

these graces, by helping us to make more fervent communions, for example. But those are questions that have to be addressed and clarified. Because it says all

graces, not just this or that grace.

about it in the sense that we usually — and especially in labor manage

tening to the Holy Spirit is to know not only that

ment relationships — consider a

something is definable but

mediator as one trying to mediate

also to know when it is

between two hostile parties. Well,

opportune to define it. There is a saying,"Non es tempus opportunum,"

God is not hostile to us. We in our

Now,"advocate." I'm not sure what that

sinfulness might be hostile to God

adds to it, because, as you know, in the New Testament, especially in John's Gospel,

sometimes, but Saint Paul tells us

because those are the two

that in Jesus Christ God has recon

questions.

advocate is a name for the Holy Spirit, the Third Person of the Blessed Trinity. Therefore,Just as we do not want to confuse Mary with Christ, we do not want to con

ciled the world to Himself. So we don't need

Mary to do that; that is the work of Jesus

When Pius IX, for example, wrote to the Catholic world, he asked two questions.

Christ.

First, is it definable? Is it somehow con

Well, what I say when I go to Mary, to mediate to me her Son's graces, is that I

tained in Scripture and Tradition? Is it the Word of God and not just, say, the leaching

Trinity, particularly the Holy Spirit. This is

mean for her to shake me up and let me

not to denigrate Mary, to put her down, but rather to avoid "Mariolotry," to avoid mak

know that I should believe that her Son is

of a certain theologian? And I think that if you see these three concepts about Mary's

fuse her with any Person of the Blessed

ing her a fourth person of the Trinity, so to speak. So, advocate, yes. Let me use an example. I think sometimes there

may be spiritual writers who, with all the good intentions in the world, have Mary forming Christ in our souls. Well, that admits of a theo

logical explanation that is sound,

but I'm afraid that it gives Mary almost divine prerogatives. Only the Holy Spirit of God can form

always available there with the graces I

need when I need them. We need somebody to remind us of that. It is different from,say.

echesis.

I am not opposed per se to this, but I think there is need for much study and much prayer. This is something more than theology. Theology is important, but this is the Faith.

Christ in our souls, through grace. The Eastern rites — and even the Eastern Orthodox, who are not united with Rome —

have a very clear way of describing this, which comes from the early Fathers of the

two hostile parties, labor and management,

fighting over whatever they're fighting over. So 1 think we have to take the image and clarify it.

East. It is by this way, called "divinization," making us God-like, that the Son of God

became Man. that man might become God like through grace.

But Mary cannot have a hand in that,

because only God can cause grace. Now, certainly in the bringing about of grace in our souls, God can work through instru ments as He does through the Sacraments

Crusade — The Catholic

Church has so far proclaimed four dogmas on Our Lady: her Divine Motherhood, her Perpetual Virginity, her Immaculate Concep tion. and her Assumption. Do you

think that Mary's role has to be identified a

little differently. Now, this is a theological opinion of mine, that she is the dispositive instrument. She is not like, say, a pen or a

pencil, with which you take notes, a perfec tive instrument, but a dispositive one. like the tractor, sort of turning over the field,

preparing it so it can receive the seed to grow corn or wheat. I think Mary has a role of. as it were, turning over the soil of our

souls to help them become more receptive to what God alone can give as the seed of

grace, and to the development of grace as a pailicipation in the divine nature, and the saving grace of Christ. Mediation, too, has a certain ambiguity

It's not the fault of the dogmas, because Pius IX for the Immaculate

Conception and Pius XII for the Assumption were very careful in canvassing the Catholic world, but

I know people who confuse the immaculate conception with the

virginal conception. So, to put new dogmas on the

book and have people not knowing what they mean.... That is why I want to make sure. 1 know there are always going to be some people who don't care that much, their faith is not that meaningful to them, but 1 think that we who are most responsible in the Church, through good catechesis, good preaching and teaching for the living of that Faith, have to be sure that we are as

careful as possible. Now, I'm not in the numbers game of

think the Church should, us some

how long that can take. It seems to me that

wunt. celebrate the third millenni

I don't see enough signs that theologians

um with a new dogma on Mary?

and through the ordained priesthood. But I

NOVEMBER-DECEMBER. 1997

role — in mediation, advocating, and coredemption — I think we need a further period of prayer and study, and a good cat-

have been given the opportunity to work on this. It could be done by the new millenni

Father Jelly — Only if it is prepared. You see. my whole point here is that 1 am not opposed per se to this, but 1 think there is need for much study and much prayer. This is something more than theology. Theology is important, but this is the Faith.

When the Church defines a dogma, she is not defining a theological position. Crusade — Ho«. then, do you view this movement? Do you think that the Holy .Spirit is speaking? I'liat it's a little bit

risky?

Father .felly — I think that its very good in its intention. But 1 also think that part of lis

um. That is still a little more than two years away. So if our Holy Father sets up a com mission and has the right people studying this, that would make it practical to recom mend respectfully to him that now we've

seen that there is enough.... We can't ignore the ecumenical. There's always someone saying "Ah. well, the

Protestants don't care that much anyway."

or "They're going to be set off by this any way, so what's the use?" No, I think we still

have to realize what the Holy Father says and what Vatican II has said, that we have to

be ecumenical-minded. We have to make sure we are explaining our Faith as well as we can to non-Catholics.

■

- 19

Fr. John Harden, S.J., Mother Angelica, and Dr. Scott Hahn share with Crusade Magazine readers some of their thoughts about the proclamation of a new Marian Dogma

Father John Harden

"I believe the time is just right to proclaim the fifth great

dogma about Our Lady.... I believe the single major obstacle in people's minds to Mary being defined as the Mediatrix of all graces is uncertainty, skepticism, lack of clarity on Mary

being the Mother of God. Once you believe that Mary is the Mother of God, you can close the book. In other words, Mary's divine maternity is the central point to be focused on. Our Lord Jesus Christ would not even exist without His

Mother, and He is God. That's the key point. "Now, the important thing is to understand that all the grace the human race receives comes from Christ, but through His Mother. In other words, save for that she said, "Yes," to the

angel at the Annunciation, God would not have become man.

Mr.Thomas McKenna from the American TFP, presents Fr. John Hardon with a crucifix, on the occasion of his Golden Jubilee celebration.

So. there would not be the Author of grace. If that's not being a Co-Redemptrix, I don't know what is. Without her there would

teen years after His Ascension,[making her] the Mother of the

n't be Jesus. Without Him, no grace.

Church, teaching the Church, sharing with the Church things

"As I tell people, Christ underwent His Passion, and Mary

which only she knew about Christ. And then of course, from the

underwent her compassion. And once Christ ascended into heav

time of her Assumption till the end of lime, we must say that Our

en, He made sure that His Mother would be on earth some fif-

Lady is now in heaven, and is sitting with Her Son."

Mcither Angelica

"I think the fifth dogma, which is the last dogma, is absolutely necessary for Our Lady to triumph over Satan. And you don't have to be very bright to know that Satan is around and well and work ing very hard.

"Our Lady said at Fatima that in the end her Immaculate Heart will triumph. Personally, I feel that Our Lady must be proclaimed Co-Redemptrix, Mediatrix, and Advocate by the year 2000. "A lot of people don't like it. But the Church is not a public

opinion poll. The Church is the representative of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit dwells in the Church. The Holy Spirit will define

that doctrine through the Pope, this Pope hopefully, whether we like it or not."

Dr. Scott Molm

"The definition of dogma is the employment of Divine Authority by the Apostolic Body of the Magisterium faithfully fulfilling its task. Theologians, then, should do the follow-up work of explicating that kind of truth, but the explication has never come before the dogma was defined.

"A dogma is a truth that is celebrated with the mind and proclaimed with the foremost of the Church's

authority. It is not the resolution of a debate: it is the cel ebration of a truth, and the fullest celebration that the

mind, the intellect, can enjoy, because a dogma is that to which we give greatest certitude, greatest credence."

CRUSADE

Christmas

by Plinio Correa de Oliveira Adapted from a 1992 Chiistmas message.

^ons in God, and when they thus

s we prepare to celebrate Chri^ltqPji 1 woul

like to share a few thoughts about thisi,g8|l day.,'y

their hearts bring forth the good them men of good will; then will

First of all, let us consider the circl^sjiances in i

which the contemporary world will-cclebrat^

to establish the domain of the

Christmas. We find ourselves in a world wherein,

Reign of Christ already here on

fusion dominates events and permeates every a.specT^/ j; international politics. It is unpleasant, near the crib of the Infahl Jesus, soon

must reflect that no matter where we

to be occupied by Our Divine Savior, to recall so many and such evil deeds, evil thoughts, and evil things that arc fruits

latrec

of the spirit of Our Lord Jesus Christ but crf-lliifspiriLpf the twenUf

eth century. This poor twentieth century, which

dlfotl^ng cataol

e^ we will find confusion, discord,

dishonesty, and all sorts of malefactions with something in the form of either a elous salvation, depending on man's

so pp^pbuslyi- , orienJ^tion.

so proudly, with the extraordinary festivity of th^'F^is International Exposition; this twentieth century, which celebrat^ci^^j^'bm^po'tence of human reason and the possibility that man, tbrough'the>b|fQ^ve

use of reason and science, could completely domlnatb hatut^ es-^to *'â&#x2013;

the point of dominating death.

We watched as this twentieth century progressed and as

^ If mencur"P Jofw^Ch^t Our Lord, then, certainly, it will be

possible to see th^ dentury close very differently than it opened. Then

' the^ end of this twciitieth century, which began with man slipping down fiojinany evif_paths and reaching the present point, will see a "i^bonyeflcd mankind that has rejected the positivism, the agnosticism,

the j the materialism that already characterized the nineteenth century at

most shocking and devastating conflicts in history, the First and the Second World Wars, unfolded. Science has made great strides indeed,

its onset.

but sickness has conquered more than science. New diseases have

mercy and goodness, a night of pardon and hope, and that close to the

appeared that science is presently unable to overcome. As new means have been devised for saving men's lives, so too have new means for

crib of the Infant Jesus, is Our Lady. Her entreaties to Her Divine Son

destroying them. Consider the twentieth century's capacity for killing as it draws to its close. We need consider only the nuclear threat or

the mothers of the world could love a single son. She is, therefore,

the worldwide spread of AIDS to realize how far we are from the vain

and defects, and the firm resolution for us to obey the law of God in all things.

and fictitious hopes that marked the gala commencement of this cen tury.

Acknowledging the worth of human reason and granting it the tribute it deserves in the natural order of things, we understand what a magnificent gift of God it really is. We also understand, neverthe less, that human reason, on its own, being affected and injured by original sin, is capable of every wrongheadedness, every misuse of

We do well to remember that the night of Christmas is a night of

are omnipotent, and her motherly heart loves each man more than all

always ready to obtain pardon for our faults, correction of our errors

If we ponder this, then we may understand that no matter how strong evil may be, all the doors of hope are open to us as long as we turn our eyes towards the Infant Jesus bom in Bethlehem. It is towards this comforting hope that I would like to draw each reader of

God's gifts.

Crusade Magazine. So, when the church bells toll at midnight to announce the arrival of Christmas and when all calmly approach the church to

We can thus more readily grasp the need for greater humility as we face the new millennium, the need for men to be more temperate,

er together to pray before the nativity scene, I hope that you remem

and against all forms of evil, and stronger in the fearless defense of

ber this great hope and, putting aside all earthly attachment, ponder the words of Saint Paul, "Jesus Christ, yesterday, and today, and the

all forms of good.

same forever."

judicious, and objective, stronger in the combat against their defects

attend the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, and when your families gath

At the same time, we should understand that all this is possible

Kneeling at the crib, we ask Him for everything we should have

only by drawing near the crib of the Holy Infant bom in Bethlehem.

but have not; we beseech Him to take from us everything we should

The key to order and harmony in all earthly things is found in the

not have but yet wrongfully possess. Above all, we must request a

hymn with which the angels greeted the awestruck shepherds on

great love for, an understanding of, and a union with Him so that

Chri.stmas night: "Glory to God in the highest and peace on earth to all men of good will." When all men acknowledge the majesty, the omnipotence, the

a joyful eternity has begun for us.

NOVEMBER-DECEMBER, 1997

when the day comes for us to render an account of our lives, we may face Him with confidence and see Him open His arms to us because â&#x2013;

Education

IS IT GOING TO BE BORING? A couple of summers ago. an old building in Topeka, Kansas, was razed by a spectacular implosion. It was a large, 14-story structure, a minor landmark in the downtown area,

and the event was scheduled for a Sunday morning so as not to interfere with traffic

and commercial activity. Although the

implosion was to be televised, the police identified good observation points for the public.

One of our sons and his family were visiting for the weekend, and my wife and I thought that witnessing the implosion would appeal to our two grandsons. But

when their father asked if they would like to watch a large building collapse, their response was, "Is it going to be boring?" They chose to stay home.

Now, these boys are good kids. They do well in school, are relatively responsible,

for more than 10 or 15 seconds, so we

from day-to-day examples and personal

quickly herd them into an activity like sled ding or toboganning that will keep them

contact. But many parents and other adults

occupied for 20 minutes or so before it is supplanted by some other activity.

Children, as a result offrequent expo sure to intense but artificial stimuli, may be unable to react to the wonders of the natur al world. Many of today's youth have never experienced such simple joys as walking through the woods in the fall with a friend.

"During the last 50 years, nearly everything done in school has tended toward

the discontinuous, the inco

for contemplation and reflection? As educators, we've all heard young

sters complain about one thing or another in school as being boring. But we now seem to have a lot of children in flight from what they perceive as pervasive boredom. Only within the context of a high-tech fantasy-

sons for this.

First, the demands of the modern

lifestyle are time-consuming, even all-con suming, for many parentsâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;as is earning enough to support it. In many affluent fam ilies. children are frequently taken to afterschool lessons. While one might conclude that such children are probably better off than those who are ignored and left to their own impulses, somehow a community of guitar and karate instructors seems less

organic, less reflective, and less authentic

than one of parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Many parents themselves have devel

herent, the jiggly." or even alone, feeling the crunch of crisp

that some young people come to expressing

leaves underfoot and breathing deeply the

awe is. Hey, that's awesome, man!"

ductive citizens. But their response raises

technological environment, are they becom ing adults with little inclination or capacity

are too busy to instill and nurture the reflec tive process in their children. 1 see two rea

oped little capacity lor reflection and awe. As Saint Thomas Aquinas said in the thirteenth century, "One cannot give what one does not have." As a result, the clo,sest

and I'm sure they will grow up to be pro some essential questions about today's chil dren. Increasingly reared in a fastpaced

by G. Daniel Harden, Ph. D.

pungent scents of autumn. Perhaps the bump-a-minute excitement of the Power

Rangers and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles has made the pace of reality seem loo slow.

What we can do about it

Jacques Barzun was not far off when he

There have been a number of sugges tions from many different sources and per

stated in 1987 that "...during the last 50

spectives on how to deal with the related

years, nearly everything done in school has

problems of short attention spans and

tended toward the discontinuous, the inco

hyperactivity.

herent, the jiggly."

While it is surely true that most jiggly children we see in school have simply never

land can we maintain their interest. How has this situation come to be? As school

Why have educators succumbed to the need to entertain, to appeal to the 17.5 sec

administrators, teachers, and parents, what

ond attention span that typifies children's television? Have we relegated the primary purpose of educationâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;the development of critical, sustained rational thinkingâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;to the

to discipline their normal chaotic impulses, there are those who feel that the inability of so many children to focus and quietly reflect is not the result of child-rearing or

back burner?

school instructional practices. Rather, the cause is physiological, having something to

can we do about it?

Why they're bored

been taught by responsible adults the need

Many of the experiences that children once enjoyed, and which fastened a sense of

Children today often lack the sort of adult guidance that helps develop a seme of

awe have been deconstructed in modern

awe, wholesome Joy, and thoughtful appre

society to the level of activities. We tend to assume, for example, that children can not

ciation. Although some children seem to have an innate notion of beauty and con-

Whatever the cause, children's behavior

appreciate the beauty of a snow-covered hill

nectedess to the natural world, most learn

does seem to respond to this drug, for which

do with children's brain chemistry. So what can we do?

We could give Ritalin to everyone.

CRUSADE

Education

demand has almost tripled since 1990.

The two-way conversation that

everyone—students and teachers alike—

is natural between the child

would be more focused and productive if

and parent or close friend is impossible to duplicate with any technological device.

they were on a chemical regimen designed for that purpose. We could restrict TV

watching.

Psychiatrist Sam Nigro has observed that

family dinner is important. Not only should the family try to have at least one

There are those who would propose that

meal a day together, but it should be an occasion for politeness and good behav ior. Many young people know nothing

about the importance of self-control and reserve because appropriate behavior has never been demanded of them. The

family dinner table is a good place to

children who spend great amounts of time

start demanding and demonstrating bet

watching TV exhibit many of the same posttraumatic stress disorder characteristics as returning veterans: increased irritability, inability to focus attention for extended periods of time, and generally erratic behav

last two decades about how smaller is bet

should not surprise us, considering the

ior.

hooked on the sensational and the coarse,

We could reevaluate our priorities. There have been a number of books written in the

ter manners, appropriate dress, and mean

ingful conversation.

The question, "Is it going to be boring?"

ter—how a more austere lifestyle is superior

world

Nigro urges American parents to pull the

to the opulence that most of us strive for in

plug on television and Nintendo, and start talking to their children. The two-way con

the late twentieth century. But such a change need not be severe. Perhaps parents could

whether to simply continue the bump-aminute conditions shaping childhood expe rience today, or take steps to change that

versation that is natural between the child

take evening walks with their children

environment to one that ratchets down,

and parent or close friend is impossible to

replacing chaos with order and encouraging

duplicate with any technological device.

instead of spending time at the local physi cal fitness center. Or they could spend half

Even good children's television is at best a recreation of partial reality, with a message

an hour on a clear night trying to identify stars and constellations, while passing on to

that is often distorted.

their children the ancient myths associated with the heavens. Together, they could go

change will ever become a national goal.

In 1947, Richard Weaver in his book

Ideas Have Consequences described the

fishing or fossil hunting, or visit an elderly

create an orderly and focused environment

impact of the mass media, observing their

person.

for their children, and principals and teach

affinity for the sensational and coarse. When popular culture is dependent on such mass media, society itself becomes

we live in. We have to choose

reflection.

Considering the trends of the time, it is probably too much to hope that such a

But if parents start thinking about how to

We could bring back the family dinner.

ers start thinking about the need for student

Although it may be difficult to do because of conflicting schedules, reintroducing the

reflection, we may be able to help a lot of young people, ■

How do we get our children more interested in life? by Michelle Taylor

Each child is a unique being composed of both physical and spiritual elements. Like small plants, each needs time, stability,

and abilities, and, therefore, the capacity and possibility of gen erating something they can proudly call their own? Does it ever

exposure to the warming rays of the sun, water and, as much as possible, an undisturbed development.

therefore, stifling the greatest of motivations, private initiative?

Now, our age of constant, bombastic, and sensational stimuli

ignores two aspects of the child: its individual uniqueness and spirituality and its tender, plant-like, developing status. Children's lives today are crowded with unceasing physical activity and a glut of television, video games, electronic toys,

occur to us that we are curtailing their creative abilities and, There is no room for them to read and tell their own story,

develop their own imagination, invent their own game, put on

their own performance, make their own puppets, sing their own song, form their own choir, play their own instrument, plant their own garden, coach their own team of neighboring young

CDs and cassettes (which seem to

sters, sew their own dolls' dresses,

favor the banging, ear-splitting,

make their own toys, develop their

nerve-wracking beats that have

own artistic talents, make their own crafts, and on and on.

replaced the true sounds of music), and an assortment of programs

More and more families are

away from their natural home envi

becoming truly aware that maybe,

ronment. Does it ever occur to us that this makes it impossible for

just maybe, a return to the basics is

them to quietly, constructively, and

creatively develop their own person alities, spiritual sensibilities, talents,

the answer. Surely it is! Let chil dren feel proud of their achieve ments and boredom will flee out the window.

■

NOVEMBER-DECEMBER, 1997 2.^

;" i r / '

of tfie Cfd.

ivvm

Pai iC

by John

my head on the

ehold the title

pillow when I felt

that the Sover

eign Pontiff has

something rise with

just recently bestowed upon Saint Ih^r^ of the Child JcvSus. It is a signal

in my throat and bubble

Saint Th6rdse wrote: "I don't want to con

tinue writing, I fear that I might blas pheme.... I am afraid of already having said too much. Ah, may God forgive me! He knows well that, no longer having pleasure in the faith, 1 have to force myself in my

of this wise and courageous soul. May it

to my lips. I didn't know what it was. but I thought that I was going to die, and my soul was inundat ed with joy.... The lamp had already been

move us to reflect upon her teaching with even greater attention.

extinguished and I thought that it would be necessary to await the following day in

Striving to explain the extent of the trials she suffered, she wrote, "It was not a veil,

ished at the contents of this doctrine. One of

order to confirm my happiness. The dawn was not long in coming and upon waking up

and covered the starry firmament." With this

its more pleasant surprisc.s i.s a phrase with which this holy Carmelite began her final

that I had not deceived myself. Ah! as ray

manuscript in June of 1897: "To sing the

soul was filled with consolation, I was inti

mercies of the Lord." Really, in singing the mercies of the Lord, she would in fact sing her own Calvary! In this manuscript, she

mately convinced that on the anniversary of

Creator during this time of trial. Hers was the perfect attitude of a soul which was

His death, Jesus had wanted me to hear a

being tried: "I simply sang that which 1

first summons!"

wanted to believe."

honor granted to but a few, and should serve to increase our esteem for the doctrine

We. still of this world, are often aston

I ran to the window and wa.s able to verify

would describe each and evei7 thorn on that

This maiden's courage did not stop here.

glorious crown she had accepted and loved, With this same song of her Calvary, we

She passed the entire day in the common life of the community. During the following night "Jesus gave me the same sign that my

works. I have made more acts of faith this

past year than I have during my entire life."

but rather a wall which had risen to Heaven

phrase she also explained why it was that .she wrote poems of joy in honor of the

Holy souls always find ways to learn, even in situations like these: "The weighty cross of the temptations removed from me

tenary year of the death of the "greatest

entrance into eternal life was not far off. I

every sentiment of purely natural satisfac tion in my aspiration for the Celestial

saint of modern times."

then enjoyed such a vivid faith, so clear that

Homeland."

approach of her cross on the very day of our

the thought of Heaven filled me with joy, and I was no longer able to believe that there were impious people who

write these lessons of the spiritual life? It was in June of 1897. Being already gravely

Savior's death. She writes of the "great

had no faith."

ill, she wrote seated in a wheelchair that

will close this series of articles for this cen

Oh, how sublime! She first realized the

grace" she received in the early morning of Good Friday of April 3, 1896;

In what circumstances did Saint Thdrese

These reflections were followed by the

was sometimes placed in the garden and

gravest temptations against the faith, so tor mented wa.s our young Carmelite by the father of darkness. Shortly after Easter,

sometimes in the corridor of the cloister. Fr.

approaching death no longer seei-qed to her

Descouvemont, an authority on our Saint, tells us that she was continually interrupted by the sisters who worked in the infirmary or others who wanted to speak with her. "I

However, on Good Friday. Jesus wanted to

as an entrance into the Celestial Homeland

don't know if I can write even two lines

give me the hope of .soon going to

and an eternal possession ofthe Creator, but

"Last year, the Good God gave me the consolation of being able to keep the Lenten

fast in all its rigor; I had never felt myself so strong, and this strength lasted until Easter.

Heaven..., Oh, what a sweet memory! After having remained at the Sepulcher [the altar

of repo.seJ uniil midnight, and not having obtained permission to stay there the entire

night, I returned to my cell. I had just laid

every consolation dlsappear|il Her

without being interrupted...." At times she was intemipied only to hear such phrases as more "profound," like a crazy fall into noth "My little .sister, to spend every day writing ingness. It was the work of Satan, who was like this must tire you!" Tlicse were pcifecl trying to cause this innocent soul to be lost. occa.sions on which to ajjply the holy thoughts The temptations were so slrong that , Which .she meditated tipon while writing. a swift passage toward something much

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Centenary that the statue of Our Lady of Victories be brought to her. Then she wrote her final

prayer and her final lines: "O Mary, if I were the Queen of Heaven, and you were Th6r&se, I should want to be Th6rese in

order that you might be the Queen of Heaven!"

During the entire day of September 30, our young Carmelite felt extremely suffo cated, yet she still moved around a great

deal. She was even able to sit up,something she had not done for so long. When in the

9 by Raymond de Sauza

afternoon the Prioress placed upon her

knees an image of Our Lady of Mount Carmel,she said:"Oh,my Mother! With all haste give me the Most Holy Virgin; I am a

child, and can do nothing more. Prepare me to die well." Upon being told that she was ready, she answered: "Yes, it seems to me

that I have never sought anything but the truth. Yes,... I have understood humility of the heart and I do not regret having deliv ered myself over to Love." Around 5:00 p.m. the bell summoned the sisters to the infirmary. She who was in her agony welcomed her sisters with a

smile. Her hands were purple and her face was wet with perspiration. Time went by and the Prioress excused the sisters. Shortly after seven, Saint Thdr^.se asked, "My Mother! Is this not yet my agony? Am I not

"I/O hen 1 opened my front door

my darkest secret. I do not know

on that Saturday morning,

what he expected me to do; perhaps

going to die?" The Prioress replied, "The

the older of the two Jehovah's

Good God still wants to prolong your life

Witnesses did not introduce him

for a few hours," to which Saint Therfise responded, "Oh! I don't want to suffer

self. He simply said, "Good

less!" And gazing upon the crucifix she said, "Oh! I love Him... My God, I... love...

stammer a little "Hi," he fired his

vain repetitions, which Jesus condemned in

well-rehearsed question at me point-blank; "How would you like to live in a world with

the Bible."

out hunger, war, and poverty?" Now, since I could not possibly tell him

have stuck to his first line of approach — that famous land of no hunger, war, or

what I thought of that prospect, 1 told him just what he wanted to hear: "Sounds great, but how do you propose to achieve that?" It was precisely the question he was

poverty — and left my rosary alone.

Thee!"

Her head fell to the side, while Mother

Marie de Gonzague had the bell summon

the community. Returning swiftly to the infirmary, the nuns knelt down and saw serenity return to Ther^se's countenance,

her brilliant gaze fixed upon the Virgin of the Smile. Shortly afterward, she died. At 9:20 p.m., on September 30, 1897, the soul of the young Carmelite appeared before

morning, sir," and, before 1 could

7shall

spend my heaven doing good on

"Is that so?" I asked, "Could you please show me where in the Bible Jesus con

demned praying the rosary?" His Bible was already in his hands, itch

asked. 1 realized that 1 had fallen for it.

ing to be opened. Two or three flicks of well-

"Sure," I replied,"Come in."

used pages and he showed me a text, neatly highlighted in red; "But when praying, do not say the same thing over and over again, just as the peoples of the nations do, for they imagine they will get a hearing for their use

The rosary on the mantel ((

That was his first mistake. He should

waiting for. "Have you got a moment?" he

■

God.

to fall on my knees and burst into tears

of repentance, striking my breast and tearing my new shirt apart. "Surely you know that object you've got there is used for

The most outspoken of the two Jehovah's Witnesses {JW for short), skilled as he was in the art of talking to uninterested ears,

immediately looked around my living room and momentarily rested his gaze on the pic ture of Our Lady of Fatima and my rosary atop the mantel piece.

"Roman Catholic. You are actually a Roman Catholic," he repeated with a tri umphant smile, as though he had discovered

of many words" (JW's translation of the Bible).

Now, sir," he said condescendingly, this is the Gospel of Matthew, 6:7. Wasn't

this type of prayer condemned by Jesus in the Gospel when He said that when we pray we should not say the same thing over and over again, or use vain repetitions? Now, in the rosary you say the prayers over and over.

earth. 26

CRUSADE

Religion Once every Sabbath day? Once a month or once a year? Once in your life?"

the one in praise of Mary no less than 50

heavenly Father, Who knows what we need

limes! Now,that is what is called repetition!

before we ask Him. So Jesus proceeds to

How can you pray the rosary and still claim

say that we should not pray like the hea

to follow Jesus?"

thens, but as He tells us. Then He teaches us

many limes one should say the prayer to fit

how to pray: 'Our Father, Who art in heav

in with the requirements of the Watchtower

His smile was triumphant. He was sow

ing doubt in the mind of a potential convert to the Watcltiower. Or so he thought, "Not really," I replied. "You have taken

a passage out of context and used it as a pre text. May I show you?" The poor fellow could hardly say no; after all, he was in my house, sitting on my furniture. The least he could do was listen to me.

"So," I went on, "the first thing to see here is that the verse you quoted is actually a mistranslation in your Bible. To read, 'do not say the same thing over and over again,' is to stretch the meaning. If your Bible had been correctly translated it would read,

"speak not much, as the heathens," or, "do

en, hallowed be Thy name....' So," I con cluded, "Jesus right then and there gives us

a prayer to repeat! Pray thus. Pray like this." My JW guests opened their eyes a bit more. They had never thought about this. I

While they were trying to figure out how

Bible, I went on: "This method can't work.

In the Gospel of Saint Luke, chapter 11, after teaching His disciples the Our Father, Our Lord told them a parable about a man who knocked at his friend's door late at

pressed the point home; "Surely Jesus

night, when everybody was in bed, asking

would not contradict Himself by telling us

for bread. And his friend said he could not

not to repeat prayer and then immediately say, 'pray like this.' That would be a contra

help him, everybody being asleep and what not. But the first man insisted; he repeated

diction, and in Him there is no contradic

his knocking and his request so many times that his friend decided to give in just to be

tion."

"I quite agree," said the younger JW,

rid of him. That's how Jesus summed it all

"but the Roman Catholic Church invented

up: 'I say to you, although he will not get up and give to him because he is his friend, yet

the rosary." I did not wish to tell him about Our

because of his persistence he will gel up and

not multiply words." What the gentiles or

Lady appearing to Saint Dominic and giv

give him all he needs. And I say to you, ask,

heathens of that time did in their prayers was improvise their speech and babble, try ing to persuade their 'gods' to hear them. This is quite different from saying the same

ing him

and it shall be given to you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened to

prayer over and over again. We must first ask ourselves these questions; Did Jesus

condemn all repetitive prayer as 'vain'? Or did He condemn only those repetitions that

were actually vain? Or is every prayer of repetition vain per se?" Without giving him a chance to change

you.' So, my friends, the words 'do not say

"I quite agree," said the younger Jehovah's Witness, "but the Roman Catholic Church

the same thing over and over again' in your Bible are not scriptural at all. They are an inaccuracy, a poor translation at best."

"But we prefer to speak from the heart, freely, as Jehovah wants us to pray, and we believe this is much better."

I would not let him off the hook. "Be

careful here, for nobody can presume that

think that in their speaking much they may

his improvised prayers arc better than those that God Himself inspired." "So, are you saying that your rosary is inspired in the Bible?" asked the more silent

be heard. Be not therefore like to them; for

fellow, the one being coached.

the subject, I opened my Catholic Bible

and read: "And when you are praying,

speak not much, as the heathens; for they

invented the rosary.'

your Father knows what is needful for you

"Actually, yes," I answered,"The rosary

before you ask. Thus therefore shall you

the rosary, because that would have opened

pray; Our Father, Who art in heaven..." (cf.

a whole new topic. I simply stated that it

Matthew 6:7-14). "What did Jesus condemn here?" I

was not just the rosary as such we were talking about, but the prayer of repetition.

is simply a way of keeping order, dividing the prayers in 15 distinct sections of ten prayers each. Let me give you another example, straight from the Bible. Take

asked. "Manifestly not the repetition of a

I'd tackle the rosary itself, the object, later.

Psalm 118. It is the longest psalm in the

Repeat it with persistence

psalm is a persistent repetition of the main theme, that is. of the excellence of keeping

"But, Jesus did not say that we should repeat prayer, but just say it," interjected the quicker one, who appeared to be coaching the younger fellow in the art of talking to gentiles. "Roman Catholics overdo it, which is not good because..."

the law of God. It makes an excellent med

given prayer, but the outpouring of words as the pagans did. And why? He Himself

Bible, having 176 verses. On the whole, the

explains, "They think that in their speaking much they may be heard."

My JW friends were listening. It seemed

they really knew nothing about the subject. I did not waste time. "Those poor heathens had made gods for themselves, and became

imprisoned by the gods they had concocted. Their gods were like themselves, having all

Before he could add his reason, I cut

itation and prayer of repetition â&#x20AC;&#x201D; like the

rosary â&#x20AC;&#x201D; beautiful, pious, thoroughly bibli cal.

The JW coach was visibly embarrassed. He quickly changed tactics. From increduli

ty he moved on to sarcasm, which is always

the defects and passions of heathenism,

him off: "No, my friend, the context sug

gods of pride, lust and envy, treason and

gests that Our Lord Jesus Christ gave us a

hate. To please this type of god, they had to do a lot of talking, hoping that somewhere

prayer to repeat, saying. When you pray, pray thus." How often do you pray? That's

Our Lord's repetitive prayer

along the line they might catch their gods in a good mood.

the number of times you ought to repeat the Lord's Prayer. Otherwise, how many limes should you say that prayer? Once a day?

"The next thing you'll tell mc is that Jesus prayed the rosary Himself!" said the

"The true God is not like that. He is our

NOVEMBER-DECEMBER. 1997

a mistake in a religious discussion.

coach with an ironic smile.

Religion coach did not find it funny in the least. A lit

"No, not the rosary as we know it," I replied nonchalantly, "but He made up His

own rosary or prayers, "saying the same

tle dark look and the apprentice's smile van ished as quickly as a devil would leap from

thing over and over again."

a swimming pool full of holy water. I did not give him time to change the subject. "Now, my friends, if God dislikes repetitive prayer. He would have stopped

My guests opened their eyes wide with astonishment, then both smiled simultane

ously, possibly thinking I was bluffing.

those Roman Catholic seraphim in heaven a long time ago and told them to say some thing different for a change." The coach decided that it was time to go. He dryly asked me if I would like to keep the copy of Awake! I dryly declined, but I wanted to know if they understood the Biblical foundations of the repetitive prayer, whether in the Rosary or any other. He

"Yes, at one of the most crucial moments, if not the most crucial, of His life. He

repeated the selfsame prayer in the Garden when He said,'My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from Me, nevertheless not as I will but as Thou wilt' That is Matthew

26:39. Verse 42 reads: 'Again the second time. He went away and prayed, "My

Father, if this chalice cannot pass away unless I drink it. Thy will be done.'" And verse 44 says, 'So, leaving them again. He went away and prayed for the third time,

replied that the Roman Catholic Church had

invented the dogmas of hell, purgatory, and the Immaculate Conception, but I was not interested in starting a whole new debate.

saying the same words over.'" Two or three seconds of silence elapsed.

The topic was repetitive prayer, and I would not fall prey to this typical tactic of igniting

I looked straight into the coach's eyes. He didn't budge. Then I concluded: "There you

another tough subject when the going gets

are, my friend; Our Lord and Savior Jesus

tough.

Christ praying His own chaplet of repetitive

"Did you know," I asked as a sort of

prayers!" Really wanting to rub it in this

coufy de grace in the argument,"while you Jehovah's Witnesses are improvising prayers in your Kingdom Halls and deriding repetitive prayers, the Angels of God are praising Him in heaven like good Catholics, repeating their praises over and over again?" Both the coach and the younger fellow excused themselves; they really had to go. 1 thanked them for coming round and for the

time, I asked, "Would you say that His prayers were 'vain' because they were repetitive?

"In the Our Father, Jesus also taught us to say 'Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.' And it is His will that we pray. So,

the perfect prayer here on earth will be the

prayer that is most similar to the prayer of heaven, won't it? If you know how they

invigorating conversation. "Please come

again, I said, "I really enjoyed your visit." They said they would, rather unconvincingly.

pray in heaven and do likewise, then His will would be done on earth as it is in heav

en, as far as prayer is concerned."

they left, I thought to myself how iron ic it is that the never-ending babbling of

I paused for a moment to give my visi tors time to digest the concept. The coach already had a question on the tip of his

improvised prayer, which Jesus con

demned, is so often found among many of the very ones who criticize repetitive

sharp tongue: "And do you. by chance, know how prayer is done in heaven?" My answer startled him. "Actually. I do

prayer.

happen to know how they pray in heaven. If

Of course, we must also beware of mere

you open your Bible. I'll show you." He passed me his book somewhat hesi

ly paying lip service to God. for repetitive

tatingly. It was my turn for a few flicks of the fingers to show him a text. "Here it is: The book of the Apocalypse — Revelation, as you call it — tells us that in heaven the four living creatures, each of

may be. must be attentive. We must not allow our minds to wander to all sorts of

them with six wings, continually indulge in repetitive prayer: "And they have no rest

day and night as they say 'Holy, Holy, Holy, is Jehovah God, the Almighty, who was and who is coming"(4:8), Fancy that! Prayer of

repetition in heaven! Those angels must be Roman Catholics!"

The young fellow laughed a bit, but the

prayer, however Biblical and heavenly it subjects instead of paying attention to God. Who is the real object of our prayers.

HOLY

Otherwise, we could incur the severe cen

sure of Jesus Himself: "You hypocrites! Well did Isaias prophesy of you. when he said, "This people honors me with their lips, but their hean is far from me.'"

Let us who honor Our Lady in praying the Rosary always endeavor to pray "with modesty, attention, and devotion," as Saint

Louis de Montfort says.

■

CRUSADE

:>s2aer>j

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^ beyond the ocean, in a valley In the

through the valley the children were filled with excitement,

Austrian Alps, lies the age-old village of

for it was Christmas Eve and they would be staying up

Oberndorf, looking now much as it did

to attend Midnight Mass.

one, two, or three hundred years ago. In

topped steeple. The low houses, their slanting roofs weighted

The young priest, sitting at his oaken study table and working on his sermon for the midnight service, had no eyes for the fes tively lighted valley just then. He had read chapter after chapter and had come to the story of the shepherds in the fields to whom

down with stones, are scattered about the church like so many

the angel announced: "Behold, I bring you good tidings of great

x._>^

the center of the village, near a swiftflowing stream, stands a whitewashed church with a tall red-

joy, that shall be to all the people. For. this day. is bont , to you a Savior."

baby chicks around a red-combed white hen; and the church bell calls to them from the steeple in

a quick, excited hen-like tone.

In the days of our story only

peasants and a few artisans lived in Oberndorf, with an occasion-

opened it. In came a peasant woman, wrapped In a coarse shawl. He knew that she lived

^ /4^| j{«Wii| —

on one of the highest alps in his A parish."Praised be Jesus Christ,"

ty-six-year-old parish priest, -dBlM

someone

'.'.'iri»

passage,

knocked at his door. He rose and

/. ft

cated people in the village:

Father Joseph Mohr, the twen-

Father Mohr reached this well-known

a! trader coming in "from out-

side." There were but two edu-

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she greeted him. Then she went on to tell him of a child bom earlier

and Franz Xaver Gruber, the

organist and schoolteacher. Both being young and "from outside," they soon became fast friends, and every Sunday they met to make music. As Gruber sang the bass parts to Father Mohr's tenor and played the accompaniment on the guitar, the children gathered in the street before the rectory and nudged one another: "Listen, the priest and the teacher are singing again." They enjoyed these informal weekly concerts. On the twenty-fourth of December, 1818, Father Mohr sat alone in his study, reading his Bible. The sun had set behind the western mountains, and the blanket of snow draping their peaks

had turned a steely blue-gray above the black fore.st, except where the first stars cast their silvery gleams on them. All

that day to a poor charcoal-maker's wife. The parents had sent her to ask the priest to come and bless the infant, that it might live and prosper.

Father Mohr got up, put on his coat and mittens and over shoes, and followed the woman through the knee-deep snow of

the spruce forest. The priest noticed neither the trails of animals in the fresh snow nor the brightly glistening stars, even as the one that had led the Wise Men to Bethlehem when they bore the world's first Christmas gifts. Rather, he turned over in his mind

the sermon he had to preach, for which he had nothing prepared.

At last he and his guide came upon a ramshackle hut. A big, awkward man respectfully greeted the priest and invited him to

/''Hi

enter. The hut was low, filled with wood smoke, and poorly light

Masses. Afterwards, as he contemplated the wax figures in the

ed. But on the crude bed lay the young mother, smiling happily,

nativity scene â&#x20AC;&#x201D; the Christ Child in the manger. His virgin moth

and in her arms lay her baby, peacefully asleep. Father Mohr bap

er arched over Him, and Saint Joseph standing reverently and protectively at His side â&#x20AC;&#x201D; it seemed as though he had never seen the Holy Family look so alive. Though the organ had been silent, he thought he had heard singing and chiming during the service,

tized the infant and gave them all his priestly blessing and a few kindly words, then excused himself and departed. He felt strangely moved as he trudged alone back out into the snow. The smoky mountain shack, with its crude bed, did not resemble the manger in the City of David; yet, somehow, the last words he had read in his Bible suddenly seemed addressed to

him, Joseph Mohr. It seemed that the Christmas miracle had just happened before his eyes. As he made his way carefully down the mountain, he felt the promise of peace and goodwill in the silence of the forest and in the brilliance of the stars.

as of a heavenly choir. Not much later, Franz came to him, an hour before the

appointed time, with a broad smile on his face and a sheet of

music in his hand. "Here it is," he announced. "It was easy; your words sang themselves. Let's play it."

"But how?" asked the priest. "We have no organ." Gruber chuckled. He had thought of that and had arranged the

Coming at last into the valley, he saw that the dark slopes were alight

notes for what was at hand â&#x20AC;&#x201D; two

with the torches of the mountaineers

Lord," he said,"can hear us without an organ."

on their way to church, and from all the villages, near and far, bells began to ring and echo from the mountain walls: "Jesus Lord, at Thy birth...."

voices and a guitar. "The dear

And so, on Christmas Day of the year 1818, the village children once

again gathered in the street. They

To Father Mohr, a true Christmas

had no inkling of the significance

miracle had come to pass. The

of the event they witnessed that

young priest celebrated the Midnight

day, least of all that it was the birth

Mass, preached his sermon, and

day of a song that would be sung

returned home. But he found no

everywhere that Christmas is cele

sleep. He sat in his study and tried to put on paper what had happened to

brated. No, they heard only their

him. The words kept turning into

singing, as usual, to the accompani

verse, and when dawn broke. Father

ment of the old guitar.

parish

priest and the teacher

Mohr had written a poem. Franz Gruber, the other musician

Sileni night, holy night.

in Obemdorf, was twenty-nine when

All /.s- colm. all is bright.

he became a teacher at the village

Round yon. Virgin, mother

school. As he no longer had his

and child:

spinet, he soon learned to play the

Holy infant, so tender and mild.

guitar of his new friend, the priest, to the delight of the village children who gathered about to hear their

Sleep in heavenly peace, Sleep in heavenlv peace.

The two had been friends for two

Thus did "Silent Night" come into the world, destined not Just for

years on that Christmas Eve when Father Mohr wrote his poem. Little

little Obemdorf, but for the whole of Christendom. The same Divine

did he know that this poem would one day become the world's bestknown Christmas song. He had, quite simply, put his own miracle on paper. Wanting to give the poem to his friend for Christmas, he took it to him early the next

Providence that had undoubtedly brought it Into being through the

priest and teacher singing.

morning. The teacher read it over, and then read it a second time.

Greatly moved, he said: "Father, this is Just the Christmas song we need, God be praised."

"But without the right tune, the words will be pretty lonely," objected Father Mohr.

pen of a good priest and the musi

cal talent of a village teacher, had deigned that "Silent Night" should become the world's Christmas carol. Here is how this came about.

One day a prominent organ maker of the region came to repair Obemdorf's organ. He was Karl Mauracher, a venerable gentle man from a valley of the Zillertal in Austria. In a little while, he had the organ working as good as ever.

Franz Gruber settled in front of the keyboard. The church

Franz offered to compose some music and went right to work

soon resounded with the sweet chords of the new Christmas

on it. Since the church organ was out of order and he had no

melody, sounding far better on the organ than on the guitar. Father Mohr and Gruber promptly began singing together. Mauracher listened in awe, When the last note died away he asked Gruber to play it again. Gruber happily obliged, and he and

preparations to make in church that morning, he could use the

time for working on the song.

Father Mohr, meanwhile, celebrated the Christmas Day

Mauracher asked when it was finished. "I never heard it." The

found themselves seated in four of the best seats in a magnificent

priest and the teacher exchanged smiles but said nothing. Mauracher had such a gifted memory for music that by just

gilded performance hall. People of all social classes were there, from simple folk and merchants to the best nobility of Saxony.

listening to the song twice he had learned both the melody and

Then came an announcement: "Their Royal Majesties the King

the words. So it was that he took it back with him to the Zillertal

enly melody, it soon became known there as the "Song from

and Queen!" The Strasser children, awestruck with all of this, were further amazed at seeing that the conductor of the great orchestra assembled before them was none other than the elderly gentleman who had given them their tickets. He was the Director General of Music in the Kingdom of Saxony! To their yet greater

Heaven."

surprise, he suddenly turned and announced that there were four

where the local children, always eager to learn a new tune, soon

picked it up. Since no one in the Zillertal knew who the author of the song was, and because of its tranquil, penetrating, and heav

young

Among the songsters of the

their

voices. These

were

persons

present

who,

although not singers by profes

Zillertal there were four children who excelled in music because of

sion, had some of the best voices he had heard in years. Perhaps, he said, they could be persuaded to treat their Majesties to some of their beautiful Tyrolean tunes. The

the

Strasser children. Caroline was

the oldest, followed by Joseph, Andrew, and the very young

Amalie. They loved the new song

youngsters faces reddened and

that Mauracher taught them and

they froze in their seats! But then

soon had arranged it for four parts. On the following Christmas they sang it to surprise their parents. The Strasser family made fine

little Amalie had an idea: "Let us

shut our eyes and pretend we are at home."

And so they did. Their first song was "Silent Night." With the first notes, all of their stage fright van

chamois gloves. When the chil

dren were old enough to help their parents in selling the gloves, they sang while waiting for customers,

ished. To their listeners it was as

and every time they sang "Silent

Night," no matter how long past

bringing the tranquility of a mountain winter night into the

Christmas, people always crowd

crowded hall.

though the young voices were

ed around to listen and seldom left

When they finished there was a

without purchasing some gloves. As the children grew older,

moment of reverent silence. Then

the applause broke loose and went

their parents sent them to the sur rounding towns with baskets

on and on. The director, smiling

packed with their finest wares. One day they travelled all the way

told them to sing some more.

to Leipzig, in the Kingdom of

knew, and when they knew no more, they sang "Silent Night"

broadly, patted the Zillertalers and They sang all the songs they

Saxony, where the world's great est annual trade fair took place.

again. The applause was immense.

There, having set up shop, they began to sing the many folk songs they knew, but the one they sang

The audience was entirely char med. The King and Queen then invited the children to their box,

most, for it was their favorite, was the "Song from Heaven." They saw that its charm worked even in that busy city, as people began

for they wished to meet these nightingales of the Zillertal. Trembling a bit, the children went to the Royal box. Here they

to gather around.

were invited, by their Majesties themselves, to sing at the palace! Even though that meant spending Christmas away from home,

One day, a well-dressed, elderly gentleman greeted them. He asked the children if they would be so good as to agree to sing their folk songs for an audience. The children, quite taken aback by the thought, replied that they had to be getting back home for

they could not refuse the King and the Queen, and so they accept ed.

This Christmas marked fourteen years to the day that the two

them to accept four tickets to an orchestral performance. He gave

friends in the mountain village had written "Silent Night." and still no one knew who its author was. People knew only what Joseph Strasser had told the king of Saxony â&#x20AC;&#x201D; that it was a Tyrolean song. To the Zillertalers it was still the "Song from

them the address and the date and left the children absolutely

Heaven."

Christmas.

The following year, as soon as they had set up their little booth, the same gentleman made his appearance, this time asking

delighted with the idea of attending a real musical concert for the

very first time in their lives.

And so it happened that on the appointed day the children

Thus,"Silent Night" spread throughout the German provinces

by means of the Strasser children. As the years went by, the little song struck out a path of its own and one day appeared in the

Family Series

left it. There, Erk spent a full

cathedral hymnal book of the

King of Prussia. One Christmas

week perusing all of Haydn's

season, as the King sat in

books and writings. Although Haydn had written many beau tiful songs, "Silent Night" was not to be found among them. The search for the origin of

church, he was struck by the beauty of a particular song the choir was singing. Looking at

the song in the hymnal book in his hands, he read the name

"Silent Night" seemed to have

"Silent Night" and the phrase "Author and composer unknown."

reached another dead end.

In this life, however, ends are

frequently only beginnings in disguise. The choir inspector,

Frederick William of Prussia was a meticulous man who liked

having

everything

properly

arranged. He could not believe that his orderly Prussian hymnal could have such a deficiency as a song with "Author and composer unknown." He immediately ordered that the choirmaster be called to his presence. The poor man could not answer His

Majesty's query about the origin of the song. Inquiries were made all around, but no one knew who com posed the heavenly melody nor how the song had been included in the King's hymnal. Now, there was in the kingdom a man who

had a reputation for knowing everything there is to know about every kind of music. This was the Royal Concert Master, Ludwig Erk. But not even Ludwig could not satisfy the King's curiosity.

Ambrosius Prennsteiner, knew that one of the mischievous

boys in the school attached to

the abbey could easily have trained a bullfinch to sing

"Silent Night." It just remained for Prennsteiner to do a little

detective work. While all his boys awaited him at the vestry, he secretly posted himself outside the window and, with a leaf before his lips, whistled "Silent Night" in the manner of a

bullfinch. After but a few bars, he heard one of the boys inside yelling,"Hey, you, your bird has come back!"

Well, so far, so good, thought Prennsteiner, and he continued

whistling. A moment later, he saw one of his nine-year-olds tip toe around the comer to catch the winged singer, only to stop

He simply did not know â&#x20AC;&#x201D; for the first time in his life. He had

dumfounded at the sight of the in.spector. "Well, well," said Mr.

never heard anyone speak of the origin of the song. And so it came about that the Royal Concert Master received a mission from the King himself: to explore Europe in search of the origin of the mysterious, heavenly tune "Silent Night." Erk began his search in the Berlin library, but found nothing. Then, scrutinizing the song itself, he concluded that it seemed Austrian. It could perhaps have been composed by Mozart or

Prennsteiner. "what's your name?"

Haydn. Ludwig decided to go directly to Vienna. There he

searched high and low. Finding nothing, he took to the road once more, visiting many Austrian towns and cities â&#x20AC;&#x201D; all to no avail. The Royal Concert Master eventually found himself sitting at a

modest country inn just before crossing the German border. It was a charming inn; the food was good, the innkeeper was very polite and, in one comer, a caged bullfinch warbled sweetly. But Ludwig Erk noticed little of this. He just sat there frowning, won dering how he would explain the failure of his mission to the

King. Suddenly, however, he noted with a start that the bullfinch had started warbling "Silent Night"! "Where did you get that bird?" Erk asked the innkeeper. "A traveler left him," replied the innkeeper. "The man said he bought the bird in Salzburg, at Saint Peter's Abbey." Ludwig Erk made straight for the abbey, an imposing edifice founded a thousand years before and where he knew Michael Haydn had once stayed. The venerable Abbot himself received the royal envoy, surrounded by all his monks. Erk quickly explained his mission, but neither his humming and playing of

the tune nor the story of the bullfinch provided a clue. The monks did not go in for training songbirds, the Abbot explained. Indeed, such was forbidden.

Nevertheless, the monks were more than happy to show him

into the room Haydn had occupied, which was kept just as he had

"Felix Gruber," the boy replied in a small voice as he prepared to bend over. With a bit of further inquiry, the author of the "Song from Heaven" was finally discovered. Felix was the son of none

other than Franz Xaver Gruber. The choir inspector paid the com poser a visit. Gruber was immensely surprised at the travels of his

little song. He told Prennsteiner all about the origins of "Silent

Night" from the inspiration of Father Mohr, who had died by then, and he corrected a few alterations that the song had suf fered.

The corrected music was then sent to Ludwig Erk and inscribed in the King's book, and in every Christmas book in the world since then, as: "Silent Night," "by Mohr and Gruber." â&#x2013;

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by Pttnio Correa de Oliveira ^ The peacock and the swan, both having inherent superiority, symbolize nobility in differ ent ways and degrees. The peacock, richly and intricately adorned,

neck, more than anything else, imparts this ele gance as it curves gently backward and upward to its culmination. From the height of this grace ful arc, the swan calmly searches for the tiny

invites admiration and analysis. The swan, on the

white, is noble in its

aquatic creatures that provide its nourishment. That one thing moves another is attractive, and the more modest the mover, the more noble the motion itself. The swan, with discreet move

extreme simplicity.

ment of its feet, glides smoothly over the water —

Yet, white is the

leaving us rather envious.

synthesis of all col ors, so all the beauty inherent in the pea cock is also present, however simply, in

In sum, the peacock enjoys all the nobility and beauty inherent to complexity and talent, while the swan possesses a majesty born from its

the swan.

The purity and simplicity of the swan, intrin sically high qualities, are indeed admirable, so it

other hand, oma-

^ mented only with

peacock

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was created to live y on land; the swan, to live on water.

very simplicity. Which of the two is the more noble?

would be easy to say that it is the more beautiful because of its simplicity.

Imagine, however, a golden crown encrusted

Although no posture could be simpler than float

with precious stones and another crown of the

ing, the water exquisitely reflects the swan's

same style, yet merely gilded. Which would be more attractive? Evidently, the one embellished

gracefulness. The peacock possesses luxuriant plumage, and how marvelous it is! But the swan's silhou- < ette is much more elegant. The swan's slender

with precious stones. Do the "precious stones" on tlie peacock's plumage not represent for it what precious stones represent on the crown?