THE SERAPH September 2014 Vol

THE SERAPH September 2014 Vol. XXXV No. 1

STIGMATA OF ST. FRANCIS ! e Seraph Vol. XXXV No. 1 PUBLISHED WITH EPISCOPAL AUTHORIZATION September 2014

Contents Essential Ideas to Understand ...... 1 Franciscans and the Protestant Revolution In England ...... 4 In the Midst of Darkness and Chaos ...... 15 e End of the World ...... 18 Franciscan Saints ...... 23 Our Best Friend ...... 26

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There seems to be a recurring attack. It was not just the Mass! (or continuing) ignorance The Mass matters, but so do all among so many, would be true, the sacraments, dogmas, and Catholics concerning: validity, morals of the Church. licitness, and jurisdiction. Returning to valid and licit, These are all very essential we must understand that many things to understand if we are to heretics and schismatics can intelligently discern where the have valid Masses, but that they True Church is. are not licit and therefore there In the early years (immediately are no graces fl owing from them. following the implementation They are what many would call: of the Novus Ordo) we fi nd that “Valid sacrileges.” Valid means, there was a great emphasis upon that it is real and not a fake. If the Mass. Father Altenbach is we use the example of human famous for his saying: “It is the babies, we know that every baby Mass that matters.” He had taken is a true baby and therefore valid, this quote from the Protestants in regardless of how this baby came their attack upon the Church. In into existence. However, not this vein the thought was that we every valid baby is licit, or legal. must preserve the Mass. While so Very many babies are conceived many were focusing only upon through illegal unions, either having a valid Mass, few stopped of adultery or fornication. Such to realize that it is not enough to babies are bastards or illegitimate have only a valid Mass. The Mass and have no legal right to the must also be licit. The Church inheritance of the father. In a teaches us that illicit sacraments similar manner the Mass, and are to be considered of no value.1 sacraments can be valid, but Likewise, many forgot that illegal or illicit. The illicit Mass there were also the sacraments and sacraments (even if valid) and doctrines and morals under are considered by the Church as of no value. We understand “of 1 The Roman Ritual (tit. I, 4) contains no value” to mean that the grace these words: “Although the sacraments cannot be defi led by the impure… produced by the valid sacrament Nevertheless those who administer them in cannot be obtained because of an impurity and unworthiness incur the guilt impediment in the way of grace. of eternal death.” SEPTEMBER 2014 1 Very many have fallen into this sacraments from those outside deception of only considering the Chruch, and the Church (the the validity of the Mass or the Bishops) supply for the defect sacraments and have ended of licitness for the emergency at up deprived of very necessary hand. graces. Without the necessary The next confused and graces they have been blinded misunderstood term among and led down many false “Traditionalists” is: jurisdiction. paths. Sometimes the grace of Jurisdiction is the area of work God opens their eyes and they designated to certain hierarchy of cooperate with His light and the Church. The pope exercises grace, but most often their pride universal jurisdiction. He has and vanity get in the way and authority to govern, judge, they will defend their “fi nd” of and sanctify every Catholic in a valid Mass as the only thing the world. A bishop exercises of importance. All doctrine limited jurisdiction (usually a is secondary to them. When diocese).2 A bishop’s jurisdiction doctrine then becomes secondary, is limited so that there is never we see a kind of “ecumenism” a confl ict among the bishops among “Traditionalists.” As long in their apostolic works with as there is a Latin Mass and it the sheepfold of the faithful. In appears to be valid, they have no order to ensure that two bishops concern about anything else. were not in opposition to each A true Catholic cannot turn to other the Church made a law that non-Catholic methods to obtain no bishop is to be consecrated any sacraments, even if they without a papal mandate. In are valid. Such “sacraments” this manner the pope who is the are illicit and lead of necessity principle of unity ensures that to heresy and schism, because jurisdictions are clear and do not they are of no value. Those overlap. participating in the illicit means, In the absence of a true pope, commit sin rather than receive grace. The only exception to 2 Canon 108 of the Code states that the this law is in Articulo Mortis (At power of jurisdiction is by divine ordinance given to the Supreme Pontiff and the the time of death). When one is subordinate episcopate. (Note: the bishops’ dying, he may (if there are no licit jurisdiction is given by divine ordinance means available), ask for valid just as the pope’s; and is ordinary and therefore not delegated by a pope.) 2 THE SERAPH it devolves upon the bishops to is not surprising that many who continue working in harmony never knew him, attack him with with one another in this principle this unjust accusation. What is of unity. In today’s world we see surprising is that so many are that the majority of the “bishops” willing to believe it. It is nothing are in union with an anti-pope and more than a demonic attempt to the new religion (Novus Ordo) discredit the true (valid, and licit) of the false council of “Vatican successors of the Apostles. It is II.” There was therefore a vast likewise, an attempt to discredit void created in the world of a the true Church by saying that true, valid, and licit hierarchy of these bishops do not have any successors to the Apostles. jurisdiction because they have not been approved by apostate Bishop Ngo stepped forward anti-popes from the false Church to help fi ll in this void by of Vatican II. consecrating bishops. He was labeled insane by many who The unvarnished truth is that the were not ready to admit the Modernist Church has absolutely great-apostasy of the “Vatican no jurisdiction in the true II.” He was completely sane. Catholic Church. The Modernist He observed the vacancy of the Church has invalidated most papacy, the apostasy of most of the sacraments by changing of the bishops who went along matter and form. They are not with the Modernist Novus Ordo licit because they cannot legally Church that was brought into change the eternal truths of God being with the false “Vatican II” and the Church. The Modernist council, and he did what was in Church is not the True Catholic his power, right, and obligation Church. to do in order to preserve the The Church with all its power and Apostolic succession and the authority to: teach, govern, and True Church. sanctify resides only in the valid Many of the “Traditionalists” and licit, bishops, who were made were still half in and half out bishops without any taint of the of the Modernist Church, or errors of schismatics, heretics, or refused to acknowledge any the Apostate, Modernist, Novus legitimate successors in the Ordo (“Vatican II”) Church. Church. These too, often claim that Bishop Ngo was insane. It SEPTEMBER 2014 3 Franciscans and the Protestant Revolution In England Francis Borgia Steck, O.F.M. CHAPTER VIII unfeigned loyalty to her God and to her king made manifest how CATHERINE OF ARAGON, deeply the spirit of St. Francis was FRANCISCAN TERTIARY rooted in her noble and beautiful The Spanish princess — Departure for soul. England — Sudden death of Prince Queen Catherine of Aragon Arthur, her consort — She marries was the youngest daughter of his brother Henry — Eighteen years Ferdinand of Aragon and Isabella of marital happiness — The king’s of Castile. Born at Alcalá de infi delity — The divorce question — Henares, Spain, on December 15, Catherine and the papal commission 1484, she passed her infancy and — Before the ecclesiastical court at early childhood in the Christian Black friars — The queen’s appeal to camp before the walls of Granada. Rome admitted — Henry retaliates In 1492, this last Moorish — Catherine insulted and disowned stronghold in Spain surrendered — Her secluded life at the More — At and henceforth became the home Buckden — At Kimbolton Castle — of Catherine. Her early education Bodily and mental suffering — Royal was entrusted to the Franciscans,2 supremacy — Within sight of the who enjoyed the favor and esteem scaffold — Her last illness and violent death — An estimate of her character. from the Catholic point of view,” says J. P. Polen in The Catholic Enclyclopedia (vol. The history of the English XIII, p. 436). Sander himself affi rms in the Franciscans during the fi rst years preface of his work that he recounts the of the religious persecution would history of the schism “conformably with be incomplete without a special what we have gathered from public records or have drawn from both the writings and chapter on Queen Catherine. Her the sayings of very creditable men, or at private and public life bears a least have known or seen ourselves.” On striking resemblance to that of Bl. page 5, we read : “Under the royal robe, Thomas More. Like him she was she (Catherine) wore the habit of Blessed a Tertiary of St. Francis 1 and by Francis, in whose third order she had enrolled herself.” Rishton did not question 1 Dr. Nicolas Sander is our main authority this statement when he reedited Sander’s on this question. He lived from 1530 to work, in 1690. It is likewise attested by 1581. His much-quoted work, De Origine Davenport, Wadding, Parkinson, Leon, ac Progressu Schismatic Anglicani, was Strickland, Du Boys, Guerin, Magliano, published for the fi rst time four years after Hope, Stone, Heimbucher, and others. his death. “It is now acknowledged to be 2 Guerin : Le Palmier Séraphique, Vol. I, an excellent popular account of the period p. 124. 4 THE SERAPH of the Catholic Sovereigns of the next spring, on April 2, he Spain under the vigilant care of breathed his last.5 her excellent mother, the gifted Catherine broken in spirit answered princess acquired those noble the summons of Queen Elizabeth, qualities of heart and mind which her mother-in-law, and for the were one day to signalize her present resided in the country career as Queen of England. palace of Croydon. Her parents At the tender age of twelve wished her to return to Spain. The years, Catherine was promised English king, however, anxious to in marriage to Prince Arthur, the secure the remaining half of her elder son of Henry VII and heir marriage portion which consisted apparent to the English throne. of 200,000 ducats, proposed that Four years later, on September 26, she marry his younger son Henry. she bade farewell to her cherished Indeed, after the death of Queen home and kindred and attended Elizabeth, he himself wished by a splendid retinue embarked to marry Catherine. But Queen for England. After a voyage of Isabella of Spain would not hear six days, she landed at Plymouth. of it, and the English King did Elaborate festivities marked not urge the matter. 6 Finally, he her journey to London, where, succeeded in gaining the consent on November 14, in St. Paul’s of the Spanish sovereigns in behalf Cathedral, the archbishop of of his son, and in 1504, Pope Canterbury, attended by nineteen Julius II granted the necessary bishops and mitered abbots, dispensation. Though Catherine performed the solemn marriage had not the least misgivings as to ceremonies.3 Little did Arthur and the legality of a union with Prince Catherine, amid the rejoicings of Henry, she was averse to a second whole England, imagine how soon marriage, especially with a prince grim death would shatter their who was fi ve years her junior. bright prospects for a long and She desired to return to her native happy union. But God directs the land and to join the Order of Poor destinies of men; they were never Clares in the convent of Toledo. 7 to live together as husband and Hence it was only to please her wife. Shortly after the wedding, parents that she made the sacrifi ce, Prince Arthur fell dangerously and on June 25, 1504, consented ill, probably of the plague,4 and to her betrothal to Henry. A few 3 It is worthy of note that on this 5 From the testament of Arthur in which auspicious day Catherine was escorted he bequeathed nothing to Catherine, from the bishop’s palace to the cathedral historians rightly infer that he never by the Duke of York, who in after years, as regarded her as actually his wife. See Henry VIII, so cruelly embittered her life. Strickland, p. 486. 4 See Strickland : Lives of the Queens of 6 Du Boys : Catherine D’Aragon, p. 30. England, Vol. II, p. 485. 7 Guérin, p. 145. SEPTEMBER 2014 5 months later, Queen Isabella died. 1509, Henry and Catherine were “Thus unhappily deprived of her solemnly married at Greenwich,10 admirable mother, she was left and when on June 24, the royal pair a passive victim at the disposal were crowned at Westminster. 11 of the two wily diplomatists, No one, least of all Catherine, her father King Ferdinand and then thought that her crown of Henry VII.”8 The English king gold would eventually become a subjected her to every privation crown of thorns. and indignity to extort from her The fi rst years of their union father the remaining share of her proved a period of mutual love dowry, while Ferdinand, greatly and edifi cation, coupled with true impoverished by the death of zeal for the religious and political Queen Isabella, could not be welfare of the kingdom. They induced to pay it. Then, actuated held court chiefl y in the palace by rather unseemly motives,9 at Greenwich, since Henry had Henry VII, about 1506, not only a predilection for this place. 12 debarred his son from meeting his How highly the king esteemed future consort, but even forced his worthy spouse, we see from him to sign a written protest his letter to Ferdinand of Aragon. against his previous betrothal “Her eminent virtues,” he wrote, to her. All this combined to “daily shine forth, blossom, and make Catherine’s situation very increase so much, that if we still embarrassing. At last a change were free, her we would choose came. Henry VII died on April 22, for our wife before all others.” 1509, and he was succeeded by Nor was this mere policy on his his son, Henry VIII. part. Catherine, indeed, became Ever since the death of his his adviser and confi dante in all brother Arthur, young Henry affairs of State. In 1513, during had been witness of Catherine’s his military sojourn in Flanders, constancy and patience in he appointed her regent, granting suffering. He sympathized with her powers such as no English the wronged princess and in queen had ever held. It was in time became sincerely attached great part due to her that in the to her. Catherine, too, had same year the English army gradually learned to esteem the 10 Probably in the Franciscan church English prince whose accession adjoining the royal palace. to the throne was hailed as the 11 It is important to note that on this beginning of an era of national occasion Catherine appeared with fl owing peace and prosperity. A feeling hair and in a white robe, which, according of joy and satisfaction thrilled the to custom, was permitted only to a virgin. See Strickland, p. 505; also; Du Boys, p. English nation, when on June 3, 88. 8 Strickland, p. 488. 12 Timbs : Abbeys . . . . of England and 9 See Strickland, p. 497. Wales, Vol. I, p. 122. 6 THE SERAPH vanquished the invading Scots Virgin daily, and spent six hours at Flodden Field. Catherine, every morning in church. At noon indeed, was wholly devoted to she would read for the space of two Henry and to the interests of the hours the lives of the Saints to her English realm. She rejoiced at the servants and attendants. Then she news of Henry’s victory over the returned to church and remained French at Guinegate, and after there till almost supper, of which making a pilgrimage to the Lady- she partook very sparingly. She shrine at Walsingham, hastened prayed on her knees, never using to Richmond to welcome him the comfort of a cushion. “Who home.13 will wonder, that so saintly a woman had to be tried in some In his treatise on Christian greater fi re of tribulation, in order matrimony, Erasmus cites that the odor of her virtues might Catherine as a model wife and be more readily diffused over the mother. “What house is there,” entire Christian world.”15 he asks incidentally, “among the subjects to their realm, that can Needless to say, the pious queen, offer an example of such united as a Tertiary of St. Francis, held wedlock? Where can a wife be the Franciscan friars in greatest found better matched with the esteem. Having spent her best of husbands.”14 In her private childhood under the wholesome life, the queen was a mirror of infl uence of their brethren in holiness. She was wont to rise Spain, she was happy now to at midnight and to pray in the fi nd them equally zealous and church while the friars chanted popular in England. Their friary Matins and Lauds. At fi ve in the at Greenwich adjoined the royal morning, she dressed hurriedly, palace, which naturally entailed frequently averring the only her becoming more intimately time she wasted was that spent acquainted with them. Before in dressing. Beneath her royal her marriage with Henry, she robes, she wore the Tertiary habit requested her father to send of St. Francis. Every Friday and her a Franciscan from Spain, Saturday she fasted, while on the since she could not confess in vigils of the feasts of the Blessed English.16 Later, however, when Virgin she contented herself with she had suffi ciently mastered the bread and water. Twice a week, on language, Bl. John Forest became Wednesday and Friday, she went her confessor and adviser; and we to Confession and received Holy have every reason to believe that Communion every Sunday. She recited the offi ce of the Blessed 15 This fair picture of Catherine’s personal sanctity is taken from Sander, p. 5. 13 Hope: First Divorce of Henry VIII, pp. 16 Strickland, p. 495, quoting a 24 seq. fragmentary letter of Catherine to her 14 Strickland, pp. 518, 531. father, King Ferdinand, of Aragon. SEPTEMBER 2014 7 her subsequent conduct must in Henry’s hypocritical scheming great part be ascribed to the advice against her harassed her innermost given her by the saintly friar.17 soul. Finally, on June 22, 1527, the king himself laid the affair During the fi rst years of his reign, before Catherine.19 The helpless as we have seen, Henry zealously queen was now convinced of the shared in the pious practices of hypocrisy of her faithless consort his queen. But alas! clouds of and burst into tears when he told adversity gradually began to her to leave court, since he could darken their mutual love and no longer share her company. She happiness. Of the fi ve children argued with him and declared with which their marriage had been she would never live apart from blessed, all had died except Mary him. Even now she treated Anne the youngest, who subsequently, Boleyn with sweet forbearance, in 1553, ascended the throne of although she knew her to be England. These premature deaths the king’s favorite and constant together with the gay and loose attendant. Only once, at a game of life at court gradually estranged cards, did she tenderly reproach the heart of Henry. Catherine her rival, saying, “My lady Anne, knew that he was no longer a true you have the good hap ever to stop and faithful husband; she felt that at a king; but you are like others, her piety bored him, that her very you will have all or none.”20 presence was becoming irksome to him. Thus matters stood when, In May and June, 1528, a early in 1527, to her utter dismay plague, called the sweating she learned that Wolsey had sickness; carried away a number summoned Henry to his legatine of courtiers. Anne Boleyn was court to examine the scruples of the fi rst to contract the disease. conscience he alleged regarding Henry stricken with fear and his marriage.18 The queen had remorse returned to Catherine and only recently recovered from a “instead of attending to his ‘secret severe illness, and the news of matter,’ joined the queen in her devotional exercises, confessing 17 This partly accounts for Henry’s himself every day and receiving subsequent hatred of the Franciscans. See the Communion every Sunday Stone: Faithful Unto Death, p. 6. 21 18 Cardinal Wolsey is often accused and festival. “ But no sooner of having fi rst raised these doubts in had the plague abated than he Henry’s mind. Dodd, in his Church recalled his favorite to court. The History of England, Vol. I, pp. 72 seq., following October; Campeggio, carefully examines the various theories held by historians on this question and 19 Hope, p. 50; also Stone : Mary the First, then concludes with Cavendish, who was Queen of England, p. 33. Wolsey’s secretary, that the king’s passion 20 Strickland, p. 538. for Anne Boleyn “not only gave the fi rst 21 Lingard: History of England, Vol. IV, p. motion to, but carried on the whole affair.” 250. 8 THE SERAPH the papal legate, arrived in her counsel of four bishops23 and England. The queen’s ascetic a great train of ladies, appeared habits made Henry hope that on in person and with due respect to the legate’s suggestion she would the presiding Cardinals solemnly readily enter the convent. But, in appealed to the Pope for a hearing, an interview Catherine informed alleging that in England, where Campeggio that as queen and there was no one to take up her mother she could never consent to cause, the court would necessarily such a thing, and boldly rebuked decide against her.24 In reply, Wolsey for confi rming the king she was told to appear again on in his shameless perfi dy. “Of the following Monday; in the malice,” she declared, “have meantime, the Cardinals would you kindled this fi re, especially consider the justice of her appeal. for the great grudge you bear to Accordingly, on June 21, the my nephew the emperor, whom king and queen appeared in you hate worse than a scorpion, person. When Henry’s name was because he would not gratify your called, he arose and to delude ambition, by making you pope the judges and the assembled by force; and therefore have you people loudly extolled the virtues said, more than once, you would of his royal consort, at the same trouble him and his friends — and time professing his reluctance to you have kept him true promise, part from her were it not for the for of all his wars and vexations, scruples that panged his “tender” he may only thank you. As for conscience. Disgusted at this me, his poor aunt and kinswoman, shameless hypocrisy, Catherine what trouble you put me to by this asked how, if he now spoke the new-found doubt God knoweth, truth, he could have been silent to whom I commit my cause.”22 these twenty years. When Henry On Friday, June 18, 1529, Wolsey replied that the great love he and Campeggio opened their always had and still retained for legatine court in the palace at her, had till now sealed his lips, Blackfriars. The king was present the queen became indignant and by proxy. Catherine, attended by in trembling accents reiterated her appeal to Rome. But the judges 22 Strickland, p. 542. Du Boys, p. 264, cites a letter of Mendoza, the Spanish declared that her appeal was ambassador, to the emperor, dated 23 One of their number was a Franciscan, November 18, 1528. From this letter we Fr. Henry Standish, bishop of Asaph. See learn how Wolsey browbeat Campeggio Parkinson: Antiquities of the English and in a threatening tone told him to be Franciscans, p. 237. on his guard that what lately happened in 24 For the original account of these Germany through the severity of a certain proceedings, together with a copy of the Cardinal might not also take place in queen’s appeal, see Pocock : Records of the England through another Cardinal. See also Reformation, Vol. I, PP. 216-222. Hope, pp. 52-57. SEPTEMBER 2014 9 unjust and could not be accepted. and my father, Ferdinand, was On hearing this, Catherine went esteemed one of the wisest kings over to where the king sat and that had ever reigned in Spain; falling on her knees before him, both, indeed, were excellent made a heroic effort to touch his princes, full of wisdom and royal heart. “Sir,” she said, “I beseech behavior. Also, as me-seemeth, you, for all the loves there hath they had in their days as learned been between us, and for the and judicious counsellors as love of God, let me have some are at present in this realm, who right and justice. Take of me then thought our marriage good some pity and compassion, for and lawful; therefore it is a I am a poor stranger, born out wonder to me to hear what new of your dominions; I have here inventions are brought up against no unprejudiced counsellor, and me, who never meant aught but I fl ee to you as to the head of honestly. Ye cause me to stand to justice within your realm. Alas! the judgment of this new court, alas! wherein have I offended wherein ye do me much wrong you? I take God and all the world if ye intend any kind of cruelty; to witness that I have been to you for ye may condemn me for lack a true, humble, and obedient wife, of suffi cient answer, since your even conformable to your will and subjects cannot be impartial pleasure. I have been pleased and counsellors for me, as they dare contented with all things wherein not, for fear of you, disobey your you had delight and dalliance; I will. Therefore most humbly do I loved all those you loved, only require you, in the way of charity for your sake, whether they were and for the love of God, who is my friends or mine enemies. This the just Judge of all, to spare me twenty years have I been your true the sentence of this new court wife, and by me ye have had divers until I be advertised what way my children, although it hath pleased friends in Spain may advise me God to call them out of the world, to take; and if ye will not extend which has been no fault of mine. I to me this favor, your pleasure be put it to your conscience whether I fulfi lled, and to God I commit my came not to you as a maid? If you cause.” Then she arose bathed in have since found any dishonor in tears and bowing to the king left my conduct, then I am content to the court. When told that the crier depart, albeit to my great shame at the king’s bidding was calling and disparagement; but if none her back, she said, “I hear it well there be, then I beseech you, enough; but on — on, go you on, thus lowlily, to let me remain in for this is no court wherein I can my proper state. The king your have justice. Proceed, therefore. father was accounted in his day “25 a second Solomon for wisdom; 25 Strickland, p. 544, quoting Cavendish; 10 THE SERAPH Her touching appeal had made a this pass.28 Certain it is, both deep impression on all present. Cardinals were after this interview This the king noticed and with more favorably disposed toward seeming emotion declared, her. The next October, when the “Forasmuch as the queen is gone legatine court resumed its sittings, I will in her absence declare unto Henry’s council pressed the you all, my lords, she hath been legates to give judgment. Then to to me as true, as obedient, and the great disappointment of the as conformable a wife as I could king, Campeggio declared that in my fancy wish or desire. She the Pope had found Catherine’s hath all the virtuous qualities that appeal justifi ed and had already a woman of her quality, or of any revoked her cause to Rome. lower rank, ought to possess.”26 With this the court was dissolved Arriving at Baynard’s Castle, and Campeggio soon after left Catherine said to her council, England. “This day, for the fi rst time, lest I Though incensed at this turn hurt my cause, I have not obeyed of affairs, Henry for a time my lord the king; but the next time feigned kindlier feelings toward I meet him, I will crave his pardon Catherine. Indeed, when told on my knees.”27 Summoned again that Rome would likely decide on June 25 and 28, she refused to against him, he was even on the appear. Instead, her written appeal point of dropping the matter to the Pope was solemnly read in entirely and of reinstating the court. queen in her rights29 But he had Shortly after these occurrences, already gone too far and egged Wolsey and Campeggio visited on by Anne, again began to treat Queen Catherine in the palace the queen with cruel contempt. of Bridewell and begged her in Her sufferings now became well- the king’s name to consent to a nigh unbearable. In the autumn divorce. Taking the Cardinals of 1530, Chapuys wrote to the aside, she remained for some Emperor, “The queen’s ailment time in earnest conversation with continues as bad or worse than them. What she told them was ever. The king absents himself never made known. It is probable from her as much as possible, and that she again reproached Wolsey is always here (at London) with for having let matters come to the lady (Anne), whilst the queen see also Hope, p. 128, and Du Boys, p. 327 is at Richmond. He has never (footnote 2). been so long without visiting her 26 Hope, p. 131. For a dramatic and as now, but states, in excuse, that historically accurate version of this trial a death from the plague has taken scene at Blackfriars, see Shakespeare’s King Henry the Eighth, Act II , Scene IV . 28 Du Boys, 346. 27 Sander, p. 37. 29 Ibidem, p. 410, on the authority of Cardinal Pole. SEPTEMBER 2014 11 place near her residence. He has Accordingly, soon after their resumed his attempts to persuade arrival, he left the royal palace her to become a nun; this is, and proceeded on a hunting tour however, only lost time, for the with Anne Boleyn. We can readily queen will never take such a step. imagine the bitter anguish that The continual uneasiness which fi lled the soul of Catherine. But she endures causes her to entreat her grief knew no bounds, when your majesty, as well in my letters about the middle of August she as yours, that her suit be brought received a message from the to a fi nal conclusion. ”30 During king telling her that she and her the ensuing Christmas festivities daughter Mary were to leave which Henry attended with Windsor before his return. “Go Catherine at Greenwich, he again where I may,” the noble queen asked her to revoke her appeal to replied, “I am his wife and for Rome and to submit the affair to him I pray.” In October, the king’s four English prelates or secular envoys once more entreated lawyers. On her refusal, the king Catherine on their knees to submit broke up the festive gathering to a decision of English bishops. and withdrew to Whitehall. Her Thereupon, Catherine, too, fell on subsequent refusal to acknowledge her knees and begged the envoys the king’s supremacy in spiritual to use their infl uence with the king matters brought the affair to a in her behalf. At fi rst, she refused crisis.31 At Whitsuntide, 1531, to go to the More in Hertfordshire, a royal deputation again visited as Henry commanded, because Catherine and requested her the place was unhealthful. Finally, to submit the question to four declining to choose a place of her English prelates and four nobles, own liking, she humbly obeyed since the king suffered great his command, offering a silent pangs of conscience. “God grant prayer for him whom she was my husband,” replied the queen, never to see again in this life.33 “a quiet conscience; but tell him Far from allowing a sullen and I am his lawful wife, married to vindictive demeanor to widen the him by the power of Holy Church. breach between herself and the The court of Rome has taken the faithless king, Catherine rather matter in hand: when it speaks I tried to forget her injuries and to will submit.”32 After the festival soften the heart of Henry. Shortly of Trinity, Henry and Catherine after her arrival at the More, on set out together for Windsor. The New Year’s Day, 1532, she sent cruel monarch was by this time him a golden cup in token of her determined to take the fatal step. undying love and esteem; but the 30 Strickland, p. 549. 33 Strickland, p. 551; see also Hope, pp. 31 Hope, p. 229. 234 seq. 32 Du Boys, p. 420. 12 THE SERAPH uncivil wretch, though praising its fatherly appeal, continued to retain beauty, returned the gift, saying Anne in the queen’s apartments, he could accept none from her; and, as if to defy the Holy See, had much less did he send her and her Catherine removed to Buckden ladies the customary New Year’s (Bugden),37 still father distant present, and he even went so far from court. This house, where as to forbid his courtiers to do the queen lived for some months, so.34 About this time, Catherine belonged to Longland, Bishop wrote to her daughter Mary, who of Lincoln, who had formerly was residing at Greenwich. In been Henry’s confessor, and this letter, the careworn queen who as now an ardent promoter does not complain of her wrongs. of his cause. Naturally, this She merely says that the absence circumstance nettled Catherine, of the king and of her daughter while the unwholesome climate troubles her; that she trusts in greatly impaired her health. God, however, who will “shortly The next September, Anne turn all to come with good effect.” was created Marchioness of Then she urges her beloved child Pembroke, and a month later she to be as assiduous in the study accompanied the king on visit to of Latin under her new tutor, the French monarch at Calais. Not Dr. Fetherstone, as she had been satisfi ed with this public insult under her mother’s direction. 35 to Catherine, Henry was rude Soon after her repudiation, enough to send a messenger for Catherine informed the Pope of her jewels, that Anne might wear Henry’s measures against her. His them for the visit. The noble queen Holiness, in a private letter, kindly obeyed, though with reluctance, but earnestly admonished the king surmising, perhaps, that she to reinstate his lawful wife and would never see them again.38 to dismiss Anne, till Rome had It must have cheered the troubled pronounced sentence. The letter heart of Catherine to know that, dated January 25, 1532, was sent thanks to the activity of the to Catherine who, however, did Franciscans in her behalf, the not venture to forward it to Henry people sympathized with her. If in until the following May.36 The brighter days she had had a high latter entirely ignoring the Pope’s regard for these zealous friars, 34 Hope, p. 237. how much greater was her esteem 35 Strickland, p. 551; the author brings 37 According to Strickland, p. 556, the letter together with an autograph Buckden was a palace four miles distant signature of the queen. Dr. Fetherstone was from Huntingdon. It is not noticed by later martyred for the faith, and he is now Timbs in his Abbeys . . . . of England and numbered among the Blessed. Wales, probably because it was of inferior 36 Pocock, Vol. II, pp. 166 seq.; Hope, pp. rank. 251 seq. 38 Hope, pp. 256, 287. SEPTEMBER 2014 13 now, when they proved the most by many respectable people, that fearless champions of her rights they would be glad to see a fl eet as wife and queen. come hither in your name, to raise the people; and if they had Equally staunch in her defense any chief among themselves, who was Bl. Thomas More and the dared raise his head, they would Earl of Shrewsbury, who had require no more .” 40 charge of the queen’s crown, and openly declared that he would never consent to have any other 40 Stone, pp. 47, 64. than Catherine wear it. Sir Henry Guildord, the Controller, and (To be continued) many other state offi cials spoke publicly in favor of the queen. The same is true of Bl. John Fisher and even of Reginald Pole, the king’s cousin. Thus, in the course of time, Anne Boleyn became an object of popular contempt. In derision the people nicknamed her Nan Bullen, and on several occasions threatened to take her life. Once she would surely have met a violent death at their hands had she not received a timely warning and made good her escape.39 According to Ludovico Falier, a Venetian visiting England at the time, general discontent with the king’s unjust policy ran so Is it time to renew your high that, could they have found a leader, the people would have subscription? Or have you risen in rebellion and demanded received a sample copy? justice for the queen they loved. Check your mailing label On December 16, 1533, Chapuys wrote to the Emperor: “You cannot and the last page of this imagine the grief of all the people issue for Subscription De- at this abominable government. tails They are so transported with indignation at what passes that they complain that your Majesty takes no step in it, and I am told

39 Ibidem, pp . 261 seq. 14 THE SERAPH In the Midst of Darkness and Chaos Fr. Joseph Noonan, OFM Children, and some adults, are quite Were you afraid that you would afraid to enter an unlit room. The be trapped or simply unable to get darkness frightens them. It is true away from the danger before being that it is diffi cult to see in an unlit harmed? room, and for this reason light is necessary. Perhaps there is a better example. You are outside on an overcast Are there any other reasons why night (no moon, no stars) outside a person may be afraid of the of the city where street lights would darkness? Some will speak of the provide at least some dim light. possibility of a stranger being in the There is no light – NONE! This is room who might harm them, such what we call pitch dark. You are as a burglar. How reasonable is this able to extend your hand two feet in in a secure home or building? front of you, but are unable to see it. There is no sound, no movement on Still others will fear that which is a perfectly still night. more elusive, the unknown. They are unable to give a real, positive Many will understandably avoid reason for their fear, but are quite such a situation in the same way afraid nonetheless. The person they would avoid the unlit, haunted is usually not aware of it, but the house. Some will refuse to enter fear is a negative one, for it lacks their own attics or basements at a foundation in reality. It is simply night for fear of the unknown based on a person’s unbridled darkness. imagination. Will these same people go to similar There is a fear, although we are efforts to avoid spiritual darkness? unable to see it, which has a very The physical darkness, in itself, real basis in reality. It is the fear will not harm you. The spiritual of the spiritual darkness which darkness, though, will thrust you surrounds those in mortal sin and into hell if it is not overcome before ongoing vice. The perceptive soul your death. in the state of grace can, at times, tell who is surrounded by demonic One of the basic and more important evil. problems of spiritual darkness is that the person is unaware of his Have you ever been in the middle environment because he has been of a large crowd – a crowd that is spiritually blinded. That is, of restless or perhaps out-of-control? course, unless he is a willing agent SEPTEMBER 2014 15 of Satan. Even here, though, the There has been much written and blindness is such that he does not said in recent years concerning completely and fully understand his spiritual blindness. What does actions, for no one would work for this mean? Spiritual blindness is Satan if he was given a complete a condition within the soul which understanding of who this Father of does not allow the person to see Liars and Deception is. or understand those religious or spiritual matters which are easily The reader is reminded that in understood by those who are not Hell the darkness is a clear sign of affected by this blindness. It does God’s absence, the Eternal Light. not allow the person to either Within this darkness is chaos of the understand a personal condition worse type. It is a demonic chaos (pride, vanity, anger, etc.) or a – one that is fi lled with great pain, matter that exists in the Church. suffering and bewilderment. There is intentional confusion thrust upon The blindness of the Modern the soul. There is no peace within Catholic is, perhaps, the best the soul or in the environment example. Why is it that Modern surrounding it. Catholics do not understand that which has taken place in the Now relate this description to Church? They have taken the circumstances in this world. Relate spiritual bait (the lies and heresies it especially at this time (2014). of the clergy) and have imbibed them as though it were a delicious There are many souls in this life drink. The tragic result is they are who are in the state of mortal unwilling to accept the truth. sin. We know this is a state of spiritual darkness for the soul. This This spiritual blindness opens the condition is dangerous enough, but door to a darkness which clouds if the person contritely confesses the mind, heart and soul. The his sins quickly, the state of grace intellect may have the capacity to will return and the long-term effect comprehend a matter, but is unable is minimized. Light and order because of darkness which clouds return and rule the soul. the mind. This darkness often produces a “wall of stubbornness.” There is a distinct difference, This explains why the stubborn though, with this case and that of person refuses to change his mind, the soul which is continuously in i.e., because of the darkness within mortal sin. Here the soul is fi lled him. That which may exist as a with a pervading darkness. In a soul person’s fault (stubbornness), such as this, there is no glimmer of becomes the means by which supernatural light. 16 THE SERAPH darkness overcomes him. cannot be present due to sin there will not be a spiritual void in the The heart grows cold and distant soul. The act of sinning mortally due to a lack of supernatural love has opened the soul up to the devil. because of the state of mortal sin. The devil, of course, needs no This coldness often leads to an special invitation or push to enter unkind, mean-spirited person. The into this means of life for the body. individual who seems always to He and his demonic subjects will be in a “bad mood” or is angry or reside there as long as they are able. bitter, has a heart which is hardened due to sin. Whether or not one is considering the soul or the world in general, it The condition of such a person must be understood there is but one begins in the soul. When the person thing which will overcome the state is in the state of mortal sin, as of darkness and chaos. It is Christ, stated above the darkness blinds Who is the Light of the world. the individual resulting in the person being unable or unwilling or If the soul is in the state of darkness both, to see the error of his ways. and sin, it will more easily succumb When there is no spiritual light, the to the darkness and chaos of the darkness rules. world and the devils. The two are basically the same, i.e., an The key to the soul being able to environment devoid of Christ see is that it maintain spiritual light, which is determined to destroy one i.e., the state of grace. This cannot or more souls. be overstated in an age when self- indulgence and egotism go hand in One is encouraged in spite of hand with mortal sin and offending spiritual darkness all around us, God. to remain in the state of grace by avoiding the occasion of sin, For the soul that remains in mortal receiving the Sacraments of Penance sin for any length of time, not only and Holy Eucharist regularly and is darkness present but chaos, also. maintaining a true, humble desire Chaos is defi ned as ‘great disorder to live according to God’s Holy or confusion.’ This dictionary Will. If these simple but profound defi nition fi ts perfectly because instructions are followed, your soul any soul which lacks grace and, will be a light which pierces the therefore, light, will be disordered darkness and chaos all around you. and confused.

If the Holy Ghost is not present, and

SEPTEMBER 2014 17 The End of the World Bishop Giles OFM The end of the world appears to the Blessed Sacrament. Our attract more and more speculation saint answered that they should as we obviously draw nearer continue on with their recreation. to it. Our Lord, Jesus Christ, Everyone was astonished at this, tells us that only the Father in so he had to explain. Their duty, Heaven knows when it will and therefore their schedule, take place.1 Yet, there are many is God’s will for them. If the who are searching for a time schedule says that they are and date. Every time we hear of supposed to be at recreation, then someone’s exact prediction of when God comes, they could do when, we think: “Well, it won’t nothing better than have Him be that date, because no one is ﬁ nd them at recreation. This is a to know.” What people do not wise lesson for us all. We must seem to be focusing upon is that always be faithful and busy about they must be ready. We must be our duties, because this is God’s always ready, because we do not will for us. If we are doing all know when Jesus will return, but things for the love of God then when He does, we know that He it matters little what it is that we will come in all power and glory, are physically doing. The most to judge the living and the dead. important thing is to be doing God’s will, whatever that may be There is related to seminarians at all times. It is God’s will that a story about St. Aloysius we work, and play, keep vigils, Gonzaga. One day some and pray, fast and eat, etc. all in seminarians were discussing the their proper times and places. end of the world during their But, above all, it is necessary recreation. The question was that whatever we are doing, that asked what should they do, if they we do it for the love of God.2 knew the end were imminent. One suggested ﬁ nding a priest We are told that, this temporal and making a good confession. world will end, but that there Another suggested that they go will be a new world, Heaven, to the chapel and pray before where all the just will live, both

1 “But of that day and hour no one 2 “Therefore, whether you eat or drink, knoweth, no not the Angels of heaven, but or whatsoever else you do; do all things for the Father alone.” (Matthew 24, 36) the glory of God.” (I Cor. 10, 31) 18 THE SERAPH body and soul, for all of eternity. Ordo has invaded and taken over This should fi ll us with joy and the Church. The sanctuary (holy anticipation rather than with fear place) has been invaded by the or dread. If we truly love God all laity, and even pagans (Recall things will work for our good.3 the monstrosities that occurred in Asssisi in the name of peace We know, however, that before in 1986 and again in 2011.). The this glory takes place we must tabernacle and altar have been pass through the Great Apostasy pushed aside. The Sacrifi ce of that Our Lord spoke of as the Mass has been replaced by a contained in the Book of Daniel.4 Memorial Meal. Invalid “priests” There must also fi rst come the pretend to consecrate bread and anti-Christ. This is perhaps what wine, but no transubstantiation fi lls us with that fear and dread; takes place. (Many have the suffering that the faithful forgotten or do not even know must endure in imitation and what “transubstantiation” love of Jesus. means.) Most have come to the conclusion There appear to be many anti- that we are living in the midst popes, and minor anti-Christs of the Great Apostasy. There living today. “The” Anti-Christ, is already the “abomination of has not yet manifested himself desolation standing in the holy if he is here on earth. We know place.” The Modernist Novus that “The” Anti-Christ will have 3 “And we know that to them that love the whole world bowing down God, all things work together unto good, to such as according to His purpose are called before himself, and worshipping to be saints.” (Rom. 8, 28) him as God. The preparation for 4 “When therefore, you shall see the this seems to be in place and abomination of desolation, which was spo- ken of by Daniel, the prophet, standing in progressing with the “one world” the holy place: he that readeth let him un- agenda. “The” Anti-Christ, it derstand.” (Matt. 24, 15) Haydock’s bible seems, will lead this one world commentary (1859) writes: “The abomination of desolation was fi rst partly fulfi lled religion and be worshiped as by divers profanations of the temple, as God by the whole world. Only a when the image of Caesar was set up in the few elect will not be deceived.5 temple by Pilate, and Adrian’s statue in the holy of holies, and when the sacrifi ces were 5 “For there shall arise false Christs, and taken away; but will be more completely false prophets, and shall shew great signs fulfi lled by Antichrist and his precursors, and wonders, insomuch as to deceive (if it when they shall attempt to abolish the holy were possible) even the elect.” (Matt. 24, sacrifi ce of the mass.” 24) SEPTEMBER 2014 19 There are already “wars sword8. A man that lives in sin and rumors of wars”6, while will most likely die in sin. We everyone keeps clamoring about must live every day as if it were “peace”7. The sufferings that our last, because one day it will must come fi rst (before Christ’s be. return) is perhaps what frightens Another, great fear of many, is the faithful more than anything the power of the devils in these else. Will we be able to stand last days. While it is true that the up to the trials and tribulations, devils are evil and will be given as Job did, with complete trust a lot of power in these last days, and confi dence in God. If we are we must also remember what St. humble and praying, seeking to Augustine tells us: Devils are like love and serve God in all things, chained dogs, and can only harm we will be given the strength and those who draw close to them. As grace we need to persevere to the long as we keep our distance they end. The grace of perseverance is can bark at us but can never bite something that we all should be us. God is all just and the devils praying for. The most important can do nothing to us without His part of our life here on earth is consent. (Remember Job). God the moment that we die. If we die loves us and will never allow us in the state of grace all is well, to be tempted without giving us if we die in sin and an enemy a way to resist and overcome the of God then all will be lost. Let temptation. Where evil abounds, us not foolishly imagine that grace abounds even more.9 nothing else matters and that we can with grave presumption Even when the devils are sin on bravely in this world, permitted to take physical and sincerely repent at the last possession, we fi nd that the evil moment. As a man lives so will done by the devil through the he die. A man that lives by the person’s body is never attributed sword will most likely die by the to the person, but rather to the 6 “And you shall hear of wars, and ru- devil who is doing the evil. The moours of wars. See that ye be not troubled. 8 “Then Jesus saith to him: Put up again For these things must come to pass, but the thy sword into its place. For all that take the end is not yet.” (Matt. 24, 6) sword, shall perish by the sword.” (Matt. 7 “For when they shall say, peace and se- 26, 52) curity, then shall sudden destruction come 9 “Now the law entered in, that sin might upon them, as the pains upon her that is abound. But where sin abounded, grace with child, and they shall not escape.” (1 hath abounded more.” (Rom. 5, 20) Thess. 5, 3) 20 THE SERAPH person only becomes culpable This is their greatest power and when he gives his consent and infl uence over mankind in these wills the evil that the devils will. last days. Throughout most of history we see that men believe It has been said that very in the spiritual world and pray often demonic possession is and appease spirits as well as allowed by God for the further resist others; but today we fi nd humiliation of the demons and that while there is a lot of talk the greater glory of God. The about God and religion, there are devils do not wish to reveal very few who live their lives in themselves to men, because in the reality of the existence of this this open revelation they are spiritual world. In this lack of a more likely to be resisted. The living, practical faith, mankind is devils want to remain hidden left wide open for the suggestions behind the scenes, and fi nd this and manipulations of the is much more effectual in leading devils. The unthinking masses souls to Hell. While the devils bow down and accept every remain hidden, men let down suggestion of the mass media. their guard, they lose all fear, The mass media is becoming and draw imperceptibly closer ubiquitous throughout the world. and closer. When the chained The clichés of this demonic led dog is not barking, many people mass media, are leading the will draw near it only to learn its masses by the proverbial nose, viciousness too late. into the open bowels of Hell. When we forget that the devils We must remember to always and exist and they are constantly everywhere use the intelligence suggesting evil to us, we forget and faith that God has given to resist them, we forget to us to test and discern critically pray to God for help. We stop everything that this mass media discerning everything that comes presents to us, as well as the our way. We stop thinking. We suggestions of family, friends, become members of a mob; a neighbors, the world, the devils, mob that imagines it is thinking, and our own fallen nature. Recall but is simply following the the punishment that awaited the suggestions and clichés of the servant that buried his talent mob manipulators. It seems that rather than investing it and this is the method we see the devils employing at the moment. SEPTEMBER 2014 21 putting it to use.10 Our faith and that are so prevalent all around our intellect are talents entrusted us. We can drive these devils to us by God. We must not put far from us by fi rst learning them on a shelf and forget about to recognize their deceptive them, thinking that they are safe clichés; and then making use and secure. The talents are only of the graces that God has safe and secure when they are made available to us in the true put to use at all times. sacraments and sacramentals. Someone once said that every If we are to save our souls in Catholic can drive the devils far the midst of this current Great away with faith, the Sign of the Apostasy, and resist the Anti- Cross, and holy water. Let us Christ when he manifests study and pray and humbly begin himself, we must make it a practicing the habit of discerning priority to develop and increase of spirits. Once we uncover them the faith and intelligence that He and their true goals, often hidden has given us. But, in doing this under nice sounding platitudes, we must always remain humble. then we can resist and fi ght With humility and God’s grace against them. we will easily recognize the evil hidden in the suggestions When Our Lord returns may He of the demons wherever they fi nd us diligently employing the are presented. We will be able graces He has given us. May with Christ and the saints to say: He fi nd us employing the true “Begone, Satan, for it is written: Faith; employing our intellect in The Lord thy God shalt thou discerning; employing our free adore, and Him only shalt thou wills; etc. to resist the devils, the serve.”11 We will be made able to world, and our own fallen nature, see and to resist and to drive the so that we can draw closer and demonic barking dog far from closer to Him day by day in all us. Faith, Hope, and Charity. In this manner we will have nothing to Let us not fear so much the idea fear, but on the contrary be fi lled of demonic possession, but rather with great courage for the battle the crafty demonic deceptions as all the saints and martyrs had 10 “Wicked and slothful servant …Take ye away, therefore, the talent from him, and who have gone before us. give it him that hath ten talent.” (Matt. 25: 26,28) 11 Matt. 4: 10 22 THE SERAPH Franciscan Saints FEAST OF THE STIGMATA OF OUR HOLY FATHER ST. FRANCIS SEPTEMBER 17 In the beginning of his the mountain, Francis beheld conversion Christ crucified a seraph with six wings all called our holy Father St. afire, descending to him from Francis into His service. the heights of heaven. As Francis imitated Him so the seraph flew with great faithfully that towards the end swiftness towards the man of his life our Lord wished of God, there appeared amid to point him out to the world the wings the form of one as the faithful imitator of the crucified, with his hands and Crucified, by stamping His feet stretched out and fixed five wounds upon his body. to the cross. Two wings rose above the head, two were Two years before his death, stretched forth in flight, and when, according to his two veiled the whole body. custom, he had repaired to Mt. La Verna to spend the forty Francis wondered greatly at days preceding the feast of the appearance of so novel St. Michael the Archangel and marvelous a vision. But in prayer and fasting, the knowing that the weakness of wonderful occurrence took suffering could in nowise be place. St. Bonaventure gives reconciled with the immortality the following account of it: of the seraphic spirit, he understood the vision as a Francis was raised to God in the revelation of the Lord and that ardor of his seraphic love, and it was being presented to his wholly transformed by sweet eyes by divine providence compassion into Him, who, so that the friend of Christ of His exceeding charity, was might be transformed into pleased to be crucified for Christ crucifi ed, not through us. On the morning of the feast martyrdom of the fl esh, but of the Exaltation of the Holy through a spiritual holocaust. Cross, as he was praying in a secret and solitary place on The vision, disappearing, left

SEPTEMBER 2014 23 behind it a marvelous fire ON LOOKING UP TO THE in the heart of Francis, and CROSS a no less wonderful token impressed on his flesh. For 1. With the example of there began immediately to our holy Father St. Francis appear in his hands and in his in mind, consider what effect feet something like nails as a glance at the cross should he had just seen them in the have on us. It led Francis from vision of the Crucifi ed. The the service of the world to the heads of the nails in the hands service of God and to penance. and feet were round and black, A look at the crucifix should and the points were somewhat remove from our hearts all long and bent, as if they had delight in the world and fill been turned back. On the right us with sorrow for the sins side, as if it had been pierced we have committed in the by a lance, was the mark of a service of the world and of our red wound, from which blood evil passions. For what other often flowed and stained his reason was Christ nailed to the tunic. cross at hands and feet, and was His whole body bruised? Thus far the account of St. The Prophet tells us: “He was Bonaventure. Although St. wounded for our iniquities, He Francis strove in every way to was bruised for our sins” (Is. conceal the marvelous marks 53:5). Recalling the reason which until then no man had caused St. Francis to shed so seen, he was not able to keep many tears that his eyes were them a complete secret from all inflamed from weeping. — his brethren. After his death Do you also kneel before the they were carefully examined crucifix and bewail the sins and attested by an ecclesiastical through which you nailed your decree. In remembrance of this Saviour to the cross? impression of the five wounds, Pope Benedict XI instituted 2. Consider that a look at the feast we celebrate today. the cross is also a consolation for the sinner. Our crucifi ed Lord assured St. Francis of the complete remission of his sins. The Prophet also tells us: “By his bruises we are 24 THE SERAPH healed” (Is. 53:5). Moses gave marvel at the painful expression us a picture of our Saviour there represented. Let it speak on the cross when he raised a to your heart and let your heart brazen serpent on high in the speak to it. “He loved me and desert, so that those who had delivered Himself for me” been bitten by the poisonous (Gal. 2:20). — Serve Him serpent in punishment for faithfully so that you may one their murmurings might be day be united with Him in healed by looking up to this eternity. sign of our redemption. On the crucifix you behold our PRAYER OF THE CHURCH Saviour Himself. “Behold O Lord Jesus Christ, who the Lamb of God; behold when the world was growing Him who taketh away the cold, didst renew the sacred sins of the world” (John wounds of Thy sufferings in 1:29). — Look up to Him with the body of our holy Father sincere contrition and lively St. Francis in order to inflame confidence; He will also take our hearts with the fire of away your sins. Thy divine love, mercifully grant that by his merits 3. Consider how the contemplation of the and intercession we may Crucified finally pierced St. cheerfully carry our cross Francis through and through and bring forth worthy fruits with the fire of love, so that of penance. Who livest and our Lord made him even reignest forever and ever. externally like Himself. A Amen. look at the crucifi x should also awaken ardent charity in us. St. Augustine points this out to us when he says: “Behold the head that is bent to kiss you, the heart that is opened to receive you, the arms stretched out to embrace you.” Do not look at the image of your crucified Saviour in the cold and indifferent way that one looks at a work of art, to SEPTEMBER 2014 25 Our Best Friend TRANSLATED BY BERNARD A. HAUSMANN, S.J.

FROM THE GERMAN BY CHRISTIAN PESCH, S.J.

CHAPTER XV is fi rst really revealed. From His tomb the risen Saviour sent this Faithful Beyond the Grave message to His friends: “I ascend . . . I go to prepare a place for to My Father and your Father, you. And . . . then I am coming to My God and your God” (Jn. again and I will take you to 20:17). But before He ascends Myself (cf. Jn. 14:2, 3). He remains with His disciples for some time to console them. 1. The faithful love of Jesus goes It had never been known until beyond. the grave. Every purely that day that one dead consoled natural companionship ceases at his surviving friends. Only the the grave, for it cannot cross the friendship of Jesus endures boundaries of the kingdom of beyond the grave. He fi lled the death. A friend can indeed grieve hearts of His own with peace and for his friend, he may lament his great joy, and He strengthened loss with a soul full of pain, but them so that nothing more could he can no longer help him even separate them from His love. with all the wealth and power on earth. Death is ruthless, it tears He ascends into heaven before asunder the most tender bonds, their eyes and is seated there at separates the most intimate the right hand of the Father, who union, leads the friend into an tells Him: “Sit on My right hand unknown, dark land from which until I make Thy enemies Thy no message can be sent to the footstool” (Heb. 1: 13). There surviving friend. The grave He will rule until He has brought marks the end of natural, human His kingdom here on earth to companionship. its fi nal consummation and has conquered all His enemies. The This is not true of our heavenly last to be overcome will be death, Friend. Friendship with Him which Satan brought into the is stronger than death. Indeed, world at the beginning of time by beyond the grave its true glory sin (cf. Rom. 5:12). Death itself

26 THE SERAPH will be condemned to death, all The words of the prophet Osee: dying will have an end; and he “O death, I will be thy death; O who has power over all perishes hell, I will be thy bite” apply to at the hands of our Saviour, so Christ (Osee 3:14), for “Christ that all principalities inimical is on the right hand of God, to God shall be destroyed (cf. 1 swallowing down death” (1 Pet. Cor. 15:24 ff.). “The Lamb will 3:22). He has conquered the overcome them, because He is mighty ruler of the empire of the Lord of lords, and the King death and delivered them who of kings” (Apoc. 17:14). through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to servitude A friend may be ever so powerful, (cf. Heb. 2:14, 15). “O death, but with death all earthly power where is thy victory” (1 Cor. ceases. How many at one time 15:55). Death and the empire desired the friendship of the king of death were cast into the pool of Babylon, who then was the of fi re (cf. Apoc. 20:14). Christ most powerful prince on earth: reigns with His saints “and of But he, too, succumbed to death. His kingdom there shall be no The prophet Isaias graphically end” (Lk. 1:33). describes how the great ones of antiquity went to meet the king But He is not satisfi ed merely of Babylon in the underworld with His own glorifi cation. Even and derided him, saying: “Thou in heaven He watches over His also art wounded as well as we, Church (cf. Mt. 28:20). Jesus thou art become like unto us. Christ is our intercessor with Thy pride is brought down to the Father (cf. Rom. 8:34). He is hell, thy carcass is fallen down: always mindful of us; all that we . . . How art thou fallen from do and suffer for Him is noted in heaven, O Lucifer, who didst the book of life (cf. Apoc. 20:12); rise in the morning? How art even the smallest act is not thou fallen to the earth, that didst overlooked and He shall reward wound the nations? . . . Indeed, them all and assign a place to thou hast been brought down to all His friends in the kingdom hell, into the depth of the pit” of heaven, each according to his (Isa. 14:9 ff.). Such is the end of works. “In My Father’s house the friendship of the mightiest there are many mansions; I go on earth. to prepare a place for you; and when I have prepared a place for SEPTEMBER 2014 27 you, I will come again and will shining in a dark place; but the take you to Myself, that where I day will dawn (cf. 2 Pet. 1: 19); am, you also may be. You shall then we shall see our heavenly see Me again and your heart Friend, our Saviour, as He is, not shall rejoice and your joy no veiled by faith, but distinctly, man shall take from you” (cf. Jn. face to face, His humanity and 14:2, 3; 16:22). The redeemed divinity. The result will be that of the Lord come with praise, we shall be like Him in glory, and everlasting joy is upon in blissful contemplation, in their heads. Joy and gladness never-ending love and joy (cf. is their portion and sorrow 1 Jn. 3:2). Knowledge and love and mourning have fl ed away is the food of the soul. This is (cf. Isa. 35: 10). It is thus that the reason why the kingdom of the friendship of our heavenly heaven is like a banquet of which Friend proves itself even beyond the blessed, gathered about the the grave. Saviour, partake, where they eat and drink with Him (cf. Mt. 2. Just as the friendship of 8:11; Lk. 22:30). “They shall Christ did not cease with His be inebriated with the plenty of death, it will not cease with Thy house, and Thou shalt make ours. Whoever dies as a friend them drink of the torrent of Thy of Jesus will remain His friend pleasure” (Ps. 35:9). for all eternity. The friendship of Jesus is more than a mere At the deathbed of her children friendship coextensive with life the Church prays: “May Jesus on earth, it is a friendship that Christ appear to thee with a mild is to endure for the life beyond and cheerful countenance, and the grave. While on earth we are give thee a place among those on a pilgrimage to our Friend. who are to be in His presence “While we are in the body, we forever. . . . May Christ Jesus, are absent from the Lord; for we the Son of the living God, walk by faith and not by sight” place thee in the ever blooming (2 Cor. 5:6, 7); but we are full garden of His paradise; and may of hope; for we do not walk in the true Shepherd own thee for darkness, but in the light (cf. one of His fl ock. . . . Oh! may Jn. 12:46). For the present this it be thy happiness to behold thy light of faith is but a dim lantern Redeemer face to face; to be ever in His presence, in the blessed 28 THE SERAPH vision of that Eternal Truth they know that they love Jesus which is the joy of the elect.” and are loved by Him and Such is the lot of the friends of that His friendship, will be Christ after death. theirs for all eternity. They are incapable of desiring anything The friendship of Jesus endures, except what Jesus desires; indeed, beyond the grave, but they rejoice at the fact that the its effects will then be different. obstacle which still separates During our life on earth the them from Jesus is being friendship of Jesus is manifested removed by their sufferings. chiefl y by His merciful love; The dearer they are to the Heart He receives each repentant of Jesus, the greater is their sinner and pardons him his sins; satisfaction. Their condition despite all shortcomings. He is is a marvelous combination of patient and indulgent. All this joy and pain. Can you imagine ceases with death. He who does a sick man who, while he not die a friend of Jesus cannot suffers excruciating bodily then become His friend, but is pain, receives some good news lost for all eternity. And if His which he has long passionately friends depart this life stained expected? He would suffer and with imperfections, they will rejoice at the same time. This not receive a merciful pardon, is an inadequate comparison but must atone for them in and it does but vaguely picture purgatory until their souls are the condition of the souls in pure and fi t for entrance into Purgatory. heaven. Mercy and pardon cease, and in their place we have But our Saviour is not satisfi ed judgment and justice. Each one with this; He does still more. shall receive according to his He inspires the Church and works. individual Christians to cone to the assistance of the souls Nevertheless, the loving heart of in Purgatory by prayer, good our Redeemer still fi nds a way works, acts of self-denial, to reconcile justice and mercy patience under suffering, the for His friends in Purgatory. gaining of indulgences, and The souls detained there, above all through the celebration despite all their sufferings, are of the Holy Sacrifi ce of the full of consolation, because Mass. Through His Church He SEPTEMBER 2014 29 has not only set aside one day the just on earth and the souls of the year which is especially in Purgatory are, to a certain consecrated to the relief of the extent, members not yet fully poor souls in purgatory, but grown. When all shall have He offers Himself daily on a attained their full stature, life thousand altars to His heavenly on earth will be over, Purgatory Father for the faithful departed will be no more, and there will that they may the sooner be be only the Church Triumphant released from their pains.1 and its glorifi ed Head, Christ. The life of St. Margaret Mary Alacoque is full of instances Only then will the friendship of which show how well pleased Christ with His saints appear in the heart of Jesus is when His all its greatness. Only then shall friends in Purgatory obtain help we understand what great things from His friends on earth. It is the love of Christ has done for the wish of Jesus that all those us; then we shall realize His who honor His Divine Heart, amiability so perfectly that both the living and the dead, nothing will be able to prevent remain in intimate communion our loving Him with the whole with one another through ardor of our soul; then this love prayer. will fully satisfy the thirst of our souls for happiness. This is The love of Jesus for His the eternal marriage supper of friends and their love for Him is the Lamb with His bride, the the common bond which unites Church. The angel, who acted the saints of Heaven, the just on as St. John’s escort in his vision Earth, and the souls in Purgatory of this banquet, said: “Blessed into the Communion of Saints. are they who are called to the This does not merely consist in marriage supper of the Lamb” an external classifi cation, but (Apoc. 19:9); for the Lamb is an intimate communion of will there prove Himself the life, because the supernatural faithful Shepherd of His friends life, which they all share has its and “shall guide them to the origin in the same source, and fountains of the waters of life,” each lives for the whole, and to the possession and enjoyment the whole body for each. Yet of the Divinity, and “God will wipe away every tear from their 1 Council of Trent, Sess. 22, C. 2, can. 3; Sess. 25, decr. on Purgatory. eyes” (Apoc. 7:17). This is the 30 THE SERAPH perfect triumph of the Heart of day cease, but the Heart of Jesus Jesus. will live forever in heaven and will be the joy of His friends. In 3. The glorifi ed heart of Jesus the Holy Eucharist our Saviour is the object of the devotion to is the companion of our exile, the Sacred Heart. The object our food on our pilgrimage to of this devotion is not the heart eternity. In heaven our exile will of Christ separated from His have ceased and our pilgrimage body, not the dead heart of will have ended. Then that verse Christ, but the living Heart as it of the Eucharistic hymn will be pulsates in Christ glorifi ed. The verifi ed: Jansenists maintained that the devotion to the Sacred Heart was Grant that in heaven with Thee, theologically unsound, because Faith’s veils removed, we see in it a dead heart, independently Thee face to face.3 of its union with the Divinity, was It was His glorifi ed Heart that our venerated. Pius VI in the year Saviour revealed to St. Margaret 1786 condemned this affi rmation Mary when He commanded her as an insidious calumny of the to honor His Sacred Heart. She faithful lovers of the Sacred describes this vision for us. “The 2 Heart. We honor the Heart of Sacred Heart appeared to me as Christ as it really is; but it is the a brilliant sun of glorious light, Heart of our glorifi ed Saviour the rays of which struck my in Heaven. There His physical heart. . . . On another occasion Heart throbs in His breast, there Jesus Christ, my loving Master, He is consumed with love for us, appeared to me resplendent there His whole human nature in glory, His fi ve wounds is united hypostatically to the shining like fi ve suns. Flames Second Person of the Divinity. everywhere issued from His The heart of Jesus is, of course, Sacred Humanity, but especially also present in the Blessed from His adorable breast which Sacrament and is honored seemed to be a very furnace; there, but His sacramental His breast opened and I saw condition presupposes His His loving and amiable Heart natural condition and depends which was the living source of on it. The Sacrament will one 3 From the hymn, O Esca Viatorum. 2 Denzinger-Bannwart, Enchiridion, n. “Fac, ut remoto. velo, aperta te in coelo 1563. cernamus facie.” SEPTEMBER 2014 31 these fl ames. It was then that He or fi nd a more beautiful, more explained to me the ineffable exalted, more amiable object marvels of His pure love, and to of veneration and enthusiastic what lengths it had driven Him, devotion than the glorifi ed even to love men from whom God-man. And this King of He received but ingratitude and glory wishes to be our Friend if indifference.” only we will be His friends. He requests His friends (and what This vision of St. Margaret was a reasonable request it is) that obviously a vision of the glorious they return His love with love Saviour as He is in Heaven; for and make reparation for all the there Christ is the resplendent injuries which men heap upon Sun which illumines the city Him. And even this request of God (cf. Apoc. 21:23). The He makes solely for our sake, devotion to the Sacred Heart because He wishes to inspire us unites us in a most intimate and with noble sentiments and make tender manner with our Saviour our hearts as much like His as as He lives in heaven, with His possible. O Jesus, re-create our Heart which there pulsates with hearts after the pattern of Thy love for us. We cannot wish for own.

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