4/17/2023 Why by attending the Traditional Latin Mass doesn’t mean you are truly a traditional Catholic?Read Now This is about Catholics obeying the first two Commandments i.e. “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. “This is the first and great commandment. “And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. “On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets” Matt.22: 37- 40. Why?! Because God commands us and it behove us to save our souls and to get to heaven our true home, to God, Our Father in heaven. Read on and you will know what I am getting at. Traditionalist Catholicism is in particular an attachment to the Tridentine Mass, also known as the Traditional Latin Mass the and the set of beliefs, practices, customs, traditions, liturgical forms, devotions, and presentations of Catholic teaching that existed in the Catholic Church before the reforms of the Second Vatican Council (1962–1965). Thanks to these reforms, Catholics now fall into two categories i.e. those who follow the Novus Ordo Mass and known as Modern Catholics and those who want to hold true to tradition, the Traditionalists Catholics. Actually, in the past before 1965 and before the reforms of Vatican Council II, all Catholics were the same, they were traditional Catholics because Catholics around the world only attended the Tridentine Latin Mass, and practiced the traditions and there was no Novus Ordo Mass. Why the Traditional Latin Mass? It was thanks to Liberalism and Modernism that brought about the “reforms” and the Novus Ordo Mass, through Second Vatican Council. These reforms were suppose to enhance and propagate the Church, but instead it only resulted in the decline of the Church - the priesthood, monasteries, convents and vocations . The Church had been fighting Liberal Catholicism since the early 19th Century from the time of Popes Gregory XVI, Pius IX, Leo XIII, right up till Pius X in early 20th Century which were chiefly mentioned in their Encyclicals. Sadly, Liberalism was not totally stamped out in the Church and after the death of St. Pius X, it gradually grew again from strength to strength. (What was wrong with what was practiced for so many hundreds of years that there was a need for reforms? Wasn’t the hierarchy of the Church responsible to keep the Church in harmony and united) By their fruits you shall know them. What are the consequences of Vatican II? Note that in the Novus Ordo Mass, the priest faces the people and not to God as in centuries past in the Tridentine Latin Mass. In the Tridentine Latin Mass was the Sacrifice on Calvary whereas the Novus Ordo Mass is the commemoration of the Last Supper. The faithful have been deprived of the bountiful graces because it’s not the Sacrifice of Calvary and the changes made in the wordings of the Mass. Sacraments were “diluted” as formulas for the ceremonies like Baptism, Confirmation, Marriages, Sacrament of Penance were changed for example the wordings, and the use of different oils. It’s just like making a particular cake, the recipe must be followed closely otherwise the desired result will not be achieved. So similarly, the traditional ceremonies / formulas of the Sacraments should not be changed. The absence of the belief of the real presence of Our Lord in the Blessed Eucharist which resulted in irreverence during Mass and Communion in the hand. Immodesty in the Church - immodest dressing and profanities uttered. Dancing in the sanctuary during Mass. Before Vatican II vocations were already on the decline to about 28% but after Vatican II it dropped to 50%. Mass attendance dropped to more than 50% in many churches. In Europe churches have been abandoned and sold because of lack of attendance and funds to sustain the churches. One significant fact to note was that all the priests, Bishops, Cardinals and the Popes, before Vatican II and also those who were presiding the Council, were all ordained in the old rite and in the Tridentine Latin Mass. They were also obligated to the vow of only saying the Tridentine Latin Mass. It was thanks to Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre, who saw the errors of the reforms of Vatican II, that he founded the Society of Saint Pius X (SSPX) in 1970, a traditional Order of priests and seminarians, in the village of Écône, Switzerland, with the main intention of upholding traditional Catholicism; and now with the increasing number of Catholics who want to be true to the faith, there are Catholics who distinguish themselves as traditionalist Catholics. Priestly Ordination: The New Rite Vs. The Old Rite THE ORDER OF MELCHISEDECH by Michael Davies A "traditional Catholic" (or "traditionalist Catholic") is a Catholic who embraces the true tradition of the faith, a commitment to live one’s life according to what was taught and practiced before, who recognizes the errors of Vatican Council II in the presentation of Catholic teaching, who attends the Tridentine Latin Mass, who sees unwise pastoral decisions for what they are, who does all in his power to preserve the Holy Faith in a manner consistent with how it has always been understood, and who strives to support and preserve all of the liturgical rites and customs of the Church as they were before the "spirit of Vatican II" revolution. Traditionalists are not some "branch of the Church," or (necessarily) some "splinter group"; they are usually and quite simply Catholics to whom the adjective "traditional" applies. In short a traditionalist Catholic should be one who will strive “To restore all things in Christ” – “Instaurare omnia in Christo” the motto of Pope Saint Pius X, and living a supernatural life in union with Christ and His Mother, Our Lady. It was due to Vatican II ’s liturgical changes that which stripped the liturgy of its outward sacredness, eroding faith in the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist; and also the teaching on ecumenism which has blurred the distinction between Catholicism and other Christians; that has many Catholics turning toward and appreciating the values of Traditional Catholicism. Traditionalist Catholicism History The growing trend of attending the Tridentine Latin Mass and other elements of traditional Catholic art and spirituality becoming more prominent on the internet and in news outlets has drawn more young people to the Latin Mass and realizing what they had been missing growing up in the seventies. Therefore, the numbers are growing at all Latin Mass centers and many of these Catholics, especially those who have been born after 1970, are still transitioning toward being completely traditional, because of the many years, of living and practicing the faith according to the changes made by Vatican Council II and attending the Novus Ordo Mass which was promulgated by Pope Paul VI in 1969. Although these faithful are on the right track to becoming traditionalist Catholics, true Catholics; but until they have spend several years, regularly attending the Latin Mass, re-educating themselves and practicing the faith correctly, and living a supernatural life in Traditional Catholicism, as mentioned, they can’t truly call themselves traditionalists, especially if they have yet to totally embrace Catholic tradition and cut-off from the Novus Ordo Mass and the reforms. Quo Primum: Promulgating the Tridentine Liturgy. Pope Pius V - 1570 The traditional Catholic Latin Mass surely bring loads of graces to those who assist at Mass. But if a Catholic is not docile to the graces attained at Mass, and does not increase his knowledge and acquire the virtues*, practicing gentleness, humility and charity, living a supernatural life in Christ, have a devotion to Our Lady, attend annually a Marian or an Ignatian retreat, trying hard to imitate the Saints, one can’t truly be a traditional Catholic. My own transition began in 1994 when I first attended the Latin Mass. Besides the sermons, catechism from priests, prayers, and attending Ignatian retreats, it was reading good traditional Catholic books that helped me become truly Catholic. Let us be truly Catholic, traditional Catholic, as we were meant to be. "If you do not read, you will sooner or later be traitors (to the faith), because you will not have understood the root of the evil." Fr. Paul Aulagnier, Sept.17, 1981 Not everyone is inclined to reading but the knowledge and much spiritual inspirations, food for our souls, can be found in good Catholic books like the ones listed below which I read and highly recommend. They have inspired me to greater fervor and to love God more: The Love Of God In Practice: A new edition based on a translation by Rev. W. Frean My Imitation of Christ by Kempis, Thomas a' (1954) Popes Against Modern Errors Liberalism is a Sin They have uncrowned Him Open Letter to confused Catholics An Introduction to the Devout Life (Tan Classics) Divine Intimacy by Father Gabriel of St Mary Magdalen (Author) The Blessed Eucharist Our Greatest Treasure Christ The King Lord Of History e-Book The Way of Perfection Sermons of St. Alphonsus Liguori: For All the Sundays of the Year Check out all the recommended books here. Besides reading , one could check out the good sermons on YouTube by good traditional Catholic priests and bishops like: Bishop Williamson, Fr. Chazal, Fr. Laisney, Fr. Couture, Bishop Fulton Sheen and so on. View the videos in the links below: https://www.youtube.com/@sermonsandconferencesofbis6845 https://www.youtube.com/@tradcathsermon https://youtu.be/e8bIUSMUD70 https://youtu.be/2JeL8irCKQc https://youtu.be/_I15uF2tmUA https://www.youtube.com/@traditionalcatholicsermons8507 A Moment in History: the Papal Tiara at the Basilica The following are some traditions, customs, and practices that maintain a genuinely Catholic home, which will certainly enhance one’s focus in becoming traditional Catholic : There should be no profanity in the house — and this applies as much to women as to men! St. John Chrysostom called the Catholic home “a church in miniature.” Just as we would not allow any profanities in Church? The husband and wife should never argue in front of the children! This is, as it were, the first “schism” that your children will encounter. It is as traumatic to the children as it has been in the Church. Disagreement should be polite. Arguments seldom are as they are often venomous, vindictive, self-righteous, and for all purposes verge on malice and hatred! This is the devil’s wedge in the family: disunity, animus, malice. Take your arguments elsewhere and far from the children! “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the Church and gave himself up for her.” (Ephesians 5:25) How did He do that? He died for the Church. You must die to yourself for your wife and your wife should die to herself for her husband — out of love for each other and for the sake of the children. The Cornerstone is Christ, and Christ is God, and God is Love. Love cannot co-exist with enmity. You, as a father, will have the most important role in setting the example for your children, especially your sons. If your sons see that Dad is a manly Catholic, unafraid and unashamed to express his Catholic Faith in the home and even, when called for, in public discourse, they in turn will be very likely to follow your example. People — even children — are not converted through intellectual arguments … but by example. This is especially true of what children observe in your behavior when they know that you do not see them watching you. We cannot stress the importance of this. A child unexpectedly opening his father’s bedroom or office door at home and finding father in prayer on his knees will say more to the child than years of lectures on the importance of praying. A mother found lying in bed or sitting in a chair praying the Rosary when she thought the children were out a play will strike them more forcefully by the example she sets than by her words encouraging them to pray the Rosary. In you, the father, they will first encounter Christ … or not. In your wife they will see Mary … or not. They will understand the Fatherhood of God (which He has participated to you) and the Motherhood of Mary (which is the exemplar for perfect motherhood) through each of you. Say grace before every meal — in the house or at a restaurant: if you are ashamed to acknowledge God … they will be, too. If you have that strength, they will acquire it, too. When you pray, make the Sign of the Cross slowly and reverently -- if you teach them reverence by example … they will become reverent. If you show them that it is no cause for shame to make the Sign of the Cross in public at a restaurant … they will not be ashamed … of Christ. There should be a Crucifix in every room of the house (that depict Christ crucified) and beautiful pictures of Mary and statues of Saints special to you. Remember that you are not creating a monastery, but a devout Catholic home. Pray with your children every night before bed — once again, prayerfully, not quickly as though simply to “get it over with”. Always bless each of your children at bedtime: it is your right as a father, and your duty as a Catholic. Trace the Sign of the Cross over your child’s forehead, while invoking God’s blessing over them. “May the blessing of Almighty God, the Father ✝, and the Son ✝, and the Holy Ghost.✝Descend upon you and remain with you forever and ever , Amen.” Enthronement of the Sacred Heart: Have the image of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Enthroned in the home. Say your family prayers in front of this image which should be placed above your home altar. Remember the 12 promises of Our Lord for having His image enthroned in a home. Go to Mass as a family every Sunday (a Tridentine Latin Mass whenever possible — this is very important given the lack of reverence and the pointless homilies prevalent in nearly all Novus Ordo Churches and offer yourselves and your children up to God in union with the Sacrifice of Jesus Christ at every Mass (as Venerable Archbishop Fulton Sheen exhorts us say “I die with Thee, O Christ on Calvary!”). Your house should be blessed by a priest (there are specific prayers for a house, each room, and even your car!) There is a formula for this which a priest should have (and a Traditional priest will have one), or lacking one, his blessing in his own words. You should have a small container Holy Water and Consecrated Salt protect your house from the evil one. Pray the Rosary together as a family. Set apart a time of the day or night for this. After Rosary, each family member should mention a special intention and the family should respond, “Amen”. It is a time to unite your family in prayer under the protective veil of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Go to Confession as a family. None of us are free from sin, especially venial sins, and so the need for weekly or at least monthly Confession is for all. If you are fortunate enough to own your own home and have an area in the yard available, create a Mary Shrine. It need not be a large area, but sufficient for a statue of the Blessed Mother, a Crucifix, and perhaps some small statues of Angels and Saints. Remember that it will be place for prayer and reflection and made beautiful in your own way that is befitting the Mother of God. You can have a bench there or simply bring a chair. Pictured below is a more elaborate one, but the simplest statue and smallest Crucifix in the most humble arrangement is as pleasing to God and our Holy Mother Mary as the grandest one possible. It should be blessed by a priest. You should have a Holy Bible (the Catholic Douay-Rheims version only) and it should be both in Latin and English. In addition to celebrating birthdays, Catholics should also celebrate the day of their Baptism. A careful record should be kept with the names, dates, and the priests and bishops who conferred the Sacraments on your family members: including Baptism, First Penance, First Holy Communion, Confirmation, Marriage or Ordination or Profession of Vows, and Extreme Unction (Last Rites). Also the dates of each of your Patron Saints. These should become special days for you throughout the year. There is so much more to celebrate in a Catholic home than a secular home. Collection of downloadable prayers for mobile devices. What all traditional Catholics who fit the label have in common are:
To become truly Catholic, study, to learn the Faith as it has always been understood. Read older catechisms. Read the recommended books mentioned, and, finally, find a place where traditional Catholics are welcome -- a place to worship that offers not only the traditional Mass, but all of the traditional sacramental rites, and sound catechisms. Let us live exemplary like Our Lord, in gentleness, humility and charitable toward one another especially in helping those who are new to tradition who need help transitioning smoothly, overcome the modernist mentality and “erroneous habits” which many have been living the past fifty odd years after the reforms of Vatican II. Let us all become truly Catholics, traditional Catholics as we were meant to be from the Apostolic days. https://www.fisheaters.com/traditionalcatholicism101.html https://www.fisheaters.com/conversionoftheheart.html
Living a Catholic life is definitely not the way of life we ought to live as Catholics today,
especially having been exposed to the fast paced digital world with all it’s many “attractive” distractions and temptations which come through devices that we conveniently carry about with us where ever we go. I too am guilty of this. The past 50 years there has been an evident decline in morality and fervour in our Catholic faith. It is obvious that when we do not have a strong fervour in our faith we become worldly. Our spirituality declines, as many do not realize it, we stop loving and serving GOD as we ought but instead love and serve the world. How many of us can truly say we spend at least 15 minutes with God daily?
If we have been properly taught our faith, we should be doing all we can to be holy,
working to merit our salvation to attain heaven. Did you receive the Sacrament of Confirmation? Or have we forgotten that we received it? By this Sacrament we are given the strength in faith and for the confession of faith to be a soldier of Christ. Why aren’t many of us upholding the graces given to us in this sacrament? Our Catholic communities could have been a lot more wholesome if not holy.
Sadly the majority of us have been complacent and unknowingly just followed in the laxity due to the changes in the Church since the ‘70s.
The introduction of modernism into the Church practices and teachings only weakened the faith in us. One only need to observe or research into the fruits of the changes - the decline in religious communities, the drop in attendance at Mass, the irreverence at Mass, the loss of Churches, the focus on humanity rather than God, etc. Anybody who genuinely want to know the truth need only to research into the history of the Church and then compare it to the changes in the past 5 decades. It’s just too long to discourse on it here.
As Catholics we should be living in the world but not of it. What does that mean?
We do live in this world and are very much affected by it ,as we carry out responsibilities in our state of life and in society, but what’s more important ? We should be mindfully remembering to love and serve God as we have been commanded to do as Catholics. Whatever we do should we not do it for God? Should we not reciprocate the love He gives us? Should we not offend Him and to keep holy? Did we not learn our catechism? Have we lost the guidance to holiness? Obviously, we have!
We should be set apart from the world.
Being fervent in our faith - being holy and living a penitential life - to stand out, to be a light to those who are in spiritual darkness. ”Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” - Matthew, 5:15 and 5:16. I was a convert to Catholicism in 1980 and my wife too before we got married 3 years later. We were then just following what other Catholics were doing; just carrying on, not knowing any better, for nearly 13 years. It was in 1993 that my wife and I came across information on the Traditional Latin Mass, thanks to a close friend of ours. He came across a publication by the Redemptorist Order in Scotland, which had some news on the a traditional order of priests of the Society of St. Pius X, whose mission was to preserve the Catholic Faith and the Traditional Latin Mass. During that period in our lives we were often disappointed by the behaviour of priests and their sermons at Mass. Due to that my friend wrote to the Superior of the traditional order of priests requesting them to send us a priest so that our small group can experience the Traditional Latin Mass. The day came when the first Latin Mass was then held at my friend’s home and we were only about a dozen of us who attended. At the end of the Mass we were all so awed by the sacredness of it all and the distinct difference between the two Masses. We were so touched by the solemnity, the holiness of the Mass and the edifying sermon by the visiting priest.
To tell the history of the traditional Latin Mass establishment here in Malaysia will be too long; in short we continued to have irregular visits from the S.S.P.X. priests and in the year 2000 our small group of friends managed to set up a chapel.
From then we gradually had more frequent visits and eventually were able to have Mass every Sunday since 2010 until now. (If my memory doesn’t fail me.)
Over the years, with every visit of a priest, we became better educated (or should I say properly educated) in the Catholic Faith in all it’s purity, through conferences, Catechism lessons, reading recommended books, Ignatian retreats and prayers. The knowledge imparted to us only inspire us to be more prayerful and fervent in our life. More and more we realize how we were not living a proper Catholic life that is to live a holy and penitential life following the examples of the Saints.
We eventually decided to totally embrace and live the life as we should as a traditional Catholics. What a change in our lives, the daily family Rosary, our children serving at the Mass, being able to visit and pray in front of the Blessed Sacrament daily, the care for the upkeep of the chapel and the guidance given by the visiting priests help to sustain the fervour for our faith. Thanks be to God, providentially, we were privileged to revert to this life centred around the Chapel - the Traditional Mass. When our families came to know that we became traditional they just couldn’t understand why we joined “a cult” became "extremists"; actually they were not concerned enough to want to know the truth so we practiced “extreme social distancing”. Well anyone who wants to know the truth about traditional Catholicism, it’s out there, you only need to desire it and to research. Many youths who desired it, have found it and joined us.
I think by right, all Catholics everywhere should be the same - which is a Traditional Catholic
(one who adheres closely to the teachings of the Church carried down in tradition to us from the Apostolic times, and preserving it in all it’s purity). There shouldn’t be any differentiation among Catholics but because of the consequences of Vatican Council II (V.C.II) , in which the past 55 years, modernist ideologies were introduced to change, to modernize the Church, most significantly the changing of the Traditional Latin Mass to the New Mass (Novus Ordo Missae). The Mass became the Last Supper, the priest turned to face the congregation, focused on man, the community and about feelings; it was no more the Sacrifice on the Cross, facing God, as it should be. As a consequence of V.C.II was the decline of the Church in the faith and practices; which then saw a revival to tradition in the mid ‘80s.
The significant difference between the two are the reverence and holiness during the Traditional Latin Mass and the casualness and lack of reverence of the Novus ordo.
You then sense the obvious that how can pop music in the church be reverent to God. You realize more that being with God requires silence and meditation in order to listen to what God has to say to you. “Men listened to me and waited and kept silence for my counsel. Job 29:21
The silence, the incense, the many genuflections (33) by the priest,
the priest keeping his index finger and thumb after consecration, out of reverence (as little particles of consecrated host remain on them), kneeling to receive the Blessed Sacrament, our hands covered by the veil of the communion rail , the patten held under hands of the priest when communion is given (in case a host would accidentally drop), receiving communion on our tongues, the beautiful sermons, all these make the Mass so beautiful and meaningfully holy. This is our worship of GOD how can we not have reverence.
Therefore, for so many years, , due to the effects of Vatican II, the Church was on the decline, which practically stopped inflaming the hearts of the faithful with the desire for eternal salvation but instead allowing them to be more worldly concerned.
It has deprived many Catholics, especially those born after 1970, great graces and the true and correct Catholic teachings handed down to us in tradition. Thus we have been deprived of those supernatural gifts which make us capable of facing trials here below, even when under threat of death, with that fervour of faith, the inexhaustible and unshakable hope which comes to us from our love of God and our yearning for our final destiny of glory in heaven. The traditional fervour to love and serve God has been drained, replaced by the care for our worldly affairs and our senses.
Due to these reasons, many who have realized these changes, are returning or have returned to the Traditional Latin Mass, which traditional priestly orders and congregations maintained and taught all what the Church were teaching before Vatican Council II. Thus there is this differentiation of calling oneself a Traditional Catholic versus a Novus Ordo Catholic.
Tradition is, in fact, necessary for salvation, whereas hating or despising Tradition is a sign of one’s intention to depart from the Church of Christ, as a result placing one’s soul in jeopardy.
Let us regain the graces we were deprived of by embracing traditional Catholicism and let us begin by acknowledging that we need to get right back on track to the narrow road to heaven.
So what does it mean to be a Traditional Catholic?
It’s not about just attending a Traditional Latin Mass, although many generally think that’s the basis of being called a traditional Catholic but that’s not all we are. It’s not about being modest and properly dressed for Mass, women with veils and long skirts and men in suits,
but our minds and our hearts lovingly united with Jesus and Mary in every aspect of our lives. It does not even mean being a regular altar server at Mass that you are a traditionalist; but you would be, if you ardently serve with the mind and the heart of one who truly love Our Lord, attentive to the details and particularly being focused on your role there at Mass which is representing the faithful in prayer uniting it with the priest.
Being a traditional Catholic in short is becoming a Saint.
God’s realm is supernatural thus we are to live a supernatural life, to live in sanctifying grace bestowed on us through the Holy Ghost. To live a life as Jesus wants us to, in order to merit heaven; which is to sustain sanctifying grace in our souls, with the help of the sacraments, in the love and service of God. Living one’s life centred around the Traditional Latin Mass, the Sacraments, devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, obeying the Ten Commandments and imitating Him in humility and charity.
St. Paul said: “But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God chose you from the beginning to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth. To this he called you through our gospel, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. So then, brethren, stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught by us, either by word of mouth or by letter.” – 2 Thessalonians 2:13-15
“Surely you know that you are God's temple, where the Spirit of God dwells. Anyone who destroys God's temple will himself be destroyed by God, because the temple of God is holy; and you are that temple” St.Paul to the Corinthians: I Corinthians 12:4-11 and I Corinthians 3:16-17
The life of Our Lord was one that’s sacrificial so likewise our lives should have a sacrificial similarity like the lives led by the Saints. We should then use Our Lord’s life and also the exemplary lives of the Saints as the guidance we should use in our lives.
Some will say: “Ya it’s easier said than done!” but when there is a will there is a way, and God does give us the grace to achieve it; that’s why we need to be docile to the graces we received and learn to love Our Lord and then with this strength we can achieve it.
How do we love Jesus Our Lord more?
Many Saints meditated on His Passion; during the Traditional Mass is a great means to meditate on His Passion and to adore Our Lord, or even while praying the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary, Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Litany of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the lesser known Litany of the Love of God. and read books like this one: The Love Of God In Practice: A new edition based on a translation by Rev. W. Frean Besides reading about the Saints, read books of sermons by St. Alphonsus Liguori, the Cure of Ars - St. John Vianney, etc; and books published by TAN publications (USA).
How do we follow Jesus and the Saints in leading a sacrificial or penitential life?
Living a penitential life can be of different levels as per our state of life; it doesn’t mean going through severe sufferings like Jesus did. Know that Our Lord only gives us the trials that He knows we will have the strength to bear them. He doesn’t give us more than we could. It could be from something as simple as offering up little inconveniences in life or something more severe as suffering dismemberment from an accident. We should consider these trials as our opportunities to offer them up in prayer as penance for our sins. When facing such trials, be it any pain or inconvenience, we “offer it up”, meaning we unite them with the sufferings of Our Lord, as a prayer and say thank you Lord, or Deo gratias! or “We do this for the love of Thee, Oh Lord.”
St. Paul said: “Dearly beloved, think not strange the burning heat which is to try you: as if some new thing happened to you. But if you partake of the sufferings of Christ, rejoice that, when his glory shall be revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.” 1 Peter 4:12-13
Another example would be when we have to abstain from meat on Fridays.
It’s a small sacrifice but we offer it up. It is dying to oneself, by mortification. (Maybe among Asians it’s better to give up rice instead of meat, it will be harder for them to give rice up, since it's their staple food and such a necessity to them.) Lent is a time when we can unite ourselves with Jesus’ suffering for 40 days in the desert; we do that through prayer, doing penance, mortifying the flesh, repentance of sins, alms giving, and self-denial. In tradition, Catholics observe Ember days which falls on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturday,during 4 seasons a year whereby we fast by having only one full meal and abstain from meats on those days. These are indications that Catholics need to realize that their life should be penitential, making small sacrifices during our lifetime.
Jesus said : “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” Matthew 16:24
If you can appreciate that in Our Lord’s life, He led a life of poverty, from a manger for a bed, to His death on the Cross to save all of us, His loved ones, isn’t that sacrificial? Imagine a mighty and wealthy King becoming a pauper, and serving his people, even to offer himself to suffer and torture on their behalf; isn’t that mortifying?
As sinners, our life here on earth is to work toward saving our souls and gaining heaven. Our trials and sufferings are opportunities for us to offer up in prayer as penances for our sins; it is a way of purifying our souls preparing it for heaven. In heaven there’s only pure souls - Saints and Angels.
Our purification, if not accomplished during our time here on Earth, will be satisfied through our time in Purgatory.
Our centre of worship to God is in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass and together with the Sacraments, are our means of salvation; especially the Sacrament of Penance (confession); without this we can’t attain or maintain sanctifying grace to merit heaven.
We realize even more that our life here on earth is only a pilgrimage to reach our true home - heaven; and we are to persevere through the trials of our life to reach it. It is through knowing the real meaning and the value in the Mass that we will be guided through to our goal. In tradition we know the Mass is the “re-enactment of the Sacrifice of Jesus on the Cross. How many of us realize that at Mass we adore God, atone for our sins, give thanks to God for His gifts and graces, and make petition for our temporal needs. (This last one everyone knows how to.)
We learn that at the Mass, God in Jesus His Son, sacrifices himself again for us but in an unbloody manner. It is only through a sacrifice that God can be appeased and justice fulfilled for the sins committed against God. This explains the solemnity of the Mass. It’s not boring when you know the real meaning of it. It is His love and His mercy for us, coming down to be present with us at Mass.
So Mass is indeed holy , as Our Lord in His Divinity is present, which makes it sacred therefore Mass should be solemn and we should be reverent. This explains the many genuflections by the priest, the sacred music, the Gregorian chant and the incense.
Traditionally, daily Mass is the norm, Catholics would attend Mass before going to work; so we try to do that when it is possible and practical. If not then we often visit Our Lord in the Holy Eucharist kept in the tabernacle of the Church, waiting for us to console Him in His self imposed “cell” for love of us.
Spending time with Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament is meritorious.
It’s an act of love for Him to make up for the time when He was in the Garden of Gethsemane when the apostles did not keep Him company. Praying in front of the Holy Eucharist in the tabernacle, especially reciting the Rosary is meritorious as it brings graces - gaining a Plenary indulgence. As we love Him we become devoted also; and thus devotions are commonly practiced traditionally and there are many devotions like the Rosary, to the Holy Name of Jesus, the Child Jesus, the Holy Face, the Five Wounds, to various Saints like St. Joseph, but the most important ones are to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
Traditional Catholics have a great devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and an image of Jesus with His Sacred Heart is enthroned in homes to honour Him as Our Lord and centre of our lives.
The head of the family consecrates the members of the household to the Sacred Heart. Jesus is given authority over our family, in other words, Jesus becomes the King in our home, and He partakes in our lives, be it a joyous occasion or a sad event. This devotion comes directly from Jesus who told St. Margaret-Mary Alacoque that He would bless each home where an image of His Sacred Heart is exposed and honored. This devotion was officially approved by Pope St. Pius X in 1908. There are 12 promises attached to this devotion. Families with the Sacred Heart enthroned in their homes would normally have family evening prayers especially the Rosary in front of the Sacred Heart. At the ending the family would renew their consecration to the Sacred Heart and the parents would give their children a blessing: “May the blessing of almighty God, Father, Son and the Holy Ghost descend upon you and remain with you forever and ever, Amen.”
A couple of important practices worthy of mention are making the sign of the Cross and the use of holy water. Making the sign of the Cross upon rising in the morning, and before prayer like saying grace before a meal, even in public, etc are just normal practices which one seldom witness today and for the past few decades. We consider that making the sign of the Cross is powerful when said with fervour
(as though Jesus is there making the sign of the Cross with you). The sign of the cross is efficacious and when one is fervent, it even drive evil spirits away. The use of Holy water an essential sacramental has traditionally been often used by Catholics daily and for all kinds of occasions as a means to bless and purify and even to drive evil spirits away. Water that has been properly blessed by a priest (unknown to many, includes an exorcism prayer) which makes holy water an efficacious powerful sacramental against evil. Therefore traditional Catholics would usually have a holy water font at the entrance of their homes and constantly have supply of it in a large bottle; which is easily refilled from the supply kept at the Church. It is traditionally a practice to bless oneself with holy water before going out and upon returning home. Habitually making the sign of the Cross and blessing oneself with holy water daily are outward signs expressing our devotion yet it has an inward effect on us as these acts edify and strengthen us spiritually daily.
In order to help us in our pilgrimage here on earth we have to develop certain qualities (virtues) that will help us to merit heaven.
To attain humility is a priority as we follow Jesus who is meek and humble of heart. Without humility we can’t have charity and charity is love. Take note that without humility we won’t be able to be docile to God’s graces and to the inspirations of the Holy Ghost. Through humility we become charitable, to love; just like Jesus giving His love sacrificially and generously. Without this we can’t love our neighbour as ourselves. The love of compassion and magnanimity. It is through charity and practicing an exemplary life that we can partake of Our Lord’s work as cooperators in converting sinners. We can succeed to do this by upholding integrity in order to show honesty and trust worthiness to others. It is through good examples that we can better convert others rather than by speech.
To be exemplary we certainly need self-disciplinary and humility to control our passions. A deep love for God and devotion to Jesus, Mary and Joseph will help us through this.
We learn that works without charity do not merit us for heaven. Thus we practice charity but it wouldn’t be easy as we need to be truly humble in order to be more charitable. So we learn humility, through meditating often on Our Lord’s Passion and praying the Litany of humility. How can we not be meek and humble of heart like Our Lord? We should often pray thus: “Jesus meek and humble of heart make our hearts like unto Thine.” As St. James (James 4:6) reminds us, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” So, we are to empty self and seek to be meek and humble of spirit.
We also realize that we should learn to hold our tongues out of charity because we learnt that backbiting is a mortal sin.
Of course there will always be some degree of pride in all of us, that makes it difficult to master humility. Only through imitating the examples of Jesus, Mary, St. Joseph and many of the saints especially St. Therese of the Lisieux, in their humility that we can learn to overcome pride.
As it is imperative to love God, we need to increase our love for Him, how can we do that?
One of the best ways is often meditating on Our Lord’s Passion and Crucifixion; and to study how the Saints loved Him. Read not only about the lives of the Saints, but also the sermons they preached; example by St. Alphonsus Liguori, St Frances de Sales, St. John Vianney and St. Ignatius of Loyola. These will inspire you to greater heights of spirituality and the love of God.
Another good way to benefit is from the edifying sermons of traditional priests and their recommendations of good books to read or watch videos of Bishop Fulton Sheen's conferences,
or conferences by S.S.P.X. priests. There is a huge resource of books available to us to increase and to gather the right knowledge in order to deepen our spiritual and prayer life. We need to often feed our souls with good spiritual reading; regularly and gradually increase in this path. We will then grow more in prayer and devotion - enabling us to the prayerful and penitential life that we seek.
It is not enough to just say the morning or night prayers but also include some mental prayers -meditation. Using the book Divine Intimacy or even the Imitation of Christ would help us in a good way.
The Rosary is great for vocal and mental prayer. Pray the Rosary regularly and carry the Rosary with you. Be devoted to Our Blessed Mother and to love her.
Consecrating oneself ( setting yourself aside for service to God) to the Immaculate Heart of Our Lady and be enrolled in wearing the Brown Scapular are ways to our salvation as we put our trust wholly in the hands of Our dear Mother.
Get to know your Patron Saint and Guardian Angel and have recourse to them. Read Holy Scripture often if not for 15 minutes each day – All of Holy Scripture is about Jesus Christ. When a man reads Holy Scripture, Jesus Christ is with him, not figuratively or conceptually, but in a real and actual way. Become committed to being a Saint of our sovereign Christ the King; as there are no nice people or good people in Heaven, only Saints, besides the Angels.
Seek the Sacrament of Reconciliation / Penance (confession) much more frequently. Keep a guide to Reconciliation with you, recalling regularly the 10 Commandments. Make the commitment to go to confession on a predetermined schedule - once a week even. Traditional priests often encourage faithfuls to confess venial sins too because very often venial sins will lead to a mortal sin.
Love the Traditional Tridentine Latin Mass - attend every Sunday as obliged if not daily. If a man doesn’t actively participate in the Mass because of ignorance and boredom, he can’t receive the Graces that flow from the Eucharist, that heal and revitalize the soul. Learn the Mass to such a degree that you can explain it to others with the reverence and devotion that Christ’s Sacrifice deserves.
Be a priest, a prophet and king in your home – In the face of a secular culture that attacks valid patrimony, Catholic men need to reassert their rightful roles as priest, prophet and king of their family. We are not talking about being a chauvinistic tyrant, but a true Saint of Christ, with each man serving his wife and children with humble sacrifice, holy example and courageous commitment to lead his family to Heaven. Be a priest by leading your family in prayer. Be a prophet by teaching the truth of Christ and His Church. Be a king by defending your family from the perversions of the modern culture, correcting them when they fall into error and by leading them to the Eucharist and Reconciliation.
Build a brotherhood with other Catholic men in your parish. For a man to grow in faith he must build brotherhood with faithful Catholic men who can challenge and help him grow in holiness and to live out his own vocation.
Shun from the materialistic world and thoughts. Instead adhere to : “With God are wisdom and might; he has counsel and understanding.” Job 12:13. Commit to a pledge in support of the Church and begin to work toward it – The willingness of a man to give his hard-earned money to the Church is a direct indicator of the strength of his devotion and loyalty to the King Jesus Christ.
It is important to keep in mind that while it may seem so difficult, to some even impossible to become such a fervent Catholic with all of these qualities or to attain them as a man (or a woman),
the desire to have them and the willingness to work at them is of utmost importance. (Remember we are called to be Saints) It’s a daily spiritual battle but it can be won with God’s graces. Knowing what God has done for us out of love for us, we then know how to love Him in return. Then we will be in the right disposition to be docile to the many graces that God has given to each and everyone of us. Docility can only come from humility and from there be able to recognize when grace works, through good inspirations, in our lives. But most of all as faithful Catholics we must first love GOD as we ought and then He will strengthened us to achieve the qualities of a true soldier of Christ, one day at a time. Nothing is impossible with GOD.
As we grow in strength as a Catholic, we will know how to overcome the worldly influences that had been gnawing into our lives (for so many decades and continue to do so); how to resist it daily in prayers and through the Holy Sacraments.
Family prayer is encouraged as a family prays together stays together. Be devoted to Our Lady through the family Rosary. Have the enthronement of the Sacred Heart in your homes in a prominent place and benefit from the protection of the 12 promises Our Lord made. Pray with your whole heart to Christ and do your best. Our King has promised to answer those who persist in prayer. With Christ and prayer, all things are possible. Jesus, Our Lord will never let anyone down who is committed to Him. Jesus, Mary and Joseph we love you save souls.
Various references to explore:
A beautiful sermon by Fr. Bochkoltz - related to this subject. http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/cg/latin_mass_and_catholic_tradition/latin_mass_and_catholic_tradition_q_and_a__page_5.htm https://www.clutchingmyrosary.com/propers_rites/comparison.html http://www.catholicapologetics.info/modernproblems/newmass/ordo.htm https://youtu.be/jBwvPX2uSlE https://www.virgosacrata.com/traditional-roman-rite-destruction.html https://archive.org/stream/LiturgicalShipwreck/Liturgical%20Shipwreck_djvu.txt All the good and necessary prayers available in this book: CHRISTIAN WARFARE. |
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AuthorAn artist, entrepreneur, a loving family man, 30 years a Catholic traditionalist upholding traditions for the love of God. Shop for Catholic giftsArchives
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