Echoes of Fátima n. 5


“THE RULES OF THE GAME”

Game…Coach…Referees…Players

To play baseball, football, soccer, basketball, or any other sport, we first must have a designated area with marks to know our limitations. So it is with Catholicism.
The one who “Founded and Inaugurated” the “game”, was Jesus Christ!
The “Coach”, is the Pope.
The “Referees”, are the Cardinals, Bishop and Priests.
The “Players”, are the Faithful.


Now, from Christ, the Bible and Tradition, we were taught and KNOW the “Game”. Although it is not a “game” as we experience it, it is Life’s fulfillment and our only way to Salvation. It must be lived as athlete’s live and practice to be great players. We must know the rules, increase our knowledge, get the correct rest (prayer and meditation) etc., as do the athletes.
Therefore, the Rules of the Game were taught to us by Christ Himself, THE FOUNDER. The “rules” and the Tradition were given to Peter as the First Pope. It is he, the Pope, the Successor of Peter, who enforces, teaches and fulfills his role as our COACH. He also has subordinates that are most important to the “game”. These are the Referees that we call Cardinals, Bishops and Priests. In humility, and not lust for power, they should support the Coach.

The Referees MUST know the “game”, the rules of the “game” and be prepared to follow the “game” as the players play the “game”. The Referees must be in union with the Coach, follow the “rules of the game” and all understand the same “plays”. Each of them can not designate any changes in the rules nor the parameters of the field. If such a thing would occur, we would have chaos and all games would be cancelled because of the confusion.

It goes without saying, that the Church is in chaos because of the changing of the Rules, the distraction of the Coaches, the indifference and the individuality of the Referees. This cannot be in the Holy Roman Catholic Church, anymore than it can be in a game of sports. To quote a very devout, and holy, Nun friend who told me, “We’ll never make it back to Home plate if we don’t follow the rules”. She is absolutely right!

Since Vatican II, the Church has “changed the rules” and the parameters.
Once the Church was Catholic, meaning “universal”, and everywhere the game was played the same. All the Referees and Players spoke the same language to benefit the entire game. Naturally, the vernacular was used to EXPLAIN the game, but ALL the “signals” and “calls” were the same.

Now the parameters have changed. No longer is the Sanctuary of the Church as it was. We have taken down the Altar Rails, have removed the Tabernacle to wherever, we have allowed “spectators” to participate, we have taken away the CENTER, meaning the Tabernacle and the Crucifix, and the Reverence is all but missing. In recent years we have been told about Reverence for the Eucharist and yet, we have chaos. Why? Because we are not following the FOUNDER; we are hearing the Coaches and Referees. They must ALL use the same rules and language, yet how many “individual” rules have we heard from so many? Until the Coach takes command and is in command, we cannot have a “team”.

Therefore, let us reflect on what we have today.
Beyond the Altar Rail is the Sanctuary. In the Bible, and in Catholic Tradition, the Sanctuary was for the special few. That is also the way it was ‘till Vatican II. We have been told time and time again that there would be NO women priests. Like with Eve! She also wanted to be as “knowledgeable as God”. She was convinced by satan that this was true. Then, she herself, convinced Adam. Hence our damnation, “Original Sin”. It all starts with temptation, then, the pride of submission to sin, then, the sin of convincing others—and so it goes. The devil is still with us. Are we repeating the Garden of Eden? Yet we have altar girls, women lectors and still women complain of the “rules of the game”. If that be the case, then they should join another team. Why are we not content to teach Catechism, participate in Church Organizations, help the Clergy in the Rectories and Chancery Offices. Our parishes need help in organizing Hours of Eucharistic Adoration and processions to the Blessed Mother.
I am a woman and see nothing wrong with the above and also “serving” our Lord in keeping the Altar clean and well groomed with sparkling Altar Cloths, sparkling sacred linens, (purificators, corporals, palls etc.), keeping the candles fresh, the Sanctuary Lamp burning and the flowers arranged with loving care.
Was it not women with whom Christ spent much of His time? Was it not a WOMAN whom HE chose to be His First Tabernacle? What are we complaining about?

It has always been a rule of the Church that a Priest can appoint an Extraordinary Minister in EXTRA-ORDINARY times, e.g. natural disasters, wars, etc. during a Mass for the faithful. Now it is a “norm” that we can expect them at each Mass while many priests sit behind the Altar. If, we had the Communion Rails, it would not be such a problem and the faithful could KNEEL in adoration and reverence for the Host that they are about to receive. Where did “kneeling” go? What happened to the “habit” of kneeling before the Tabernacle when we crossed in front of it in Church? Where IS the Tabernacle now? Blessed Francisco, the little seer from Fatima, spent hours with the Tabernacle because of the “Hidden Jesus” within. If a nine year old can understand the significance of this---why can’t we? If Christ is not the “center” of the Church, why have a Church? What happened to the SILENCE in the Church.
Alas, what happened to the Sacred Music we used to have. The hymns to Our Lady, or to the Blessed Sacrament, are all but forgotten with hymnals in garages, storage or dumpsters. Can we really, in good conscience, exchange our beautiful hymns for protestant songs in our Churches?
This is a sign of weakness and Christ Founded us to be strong.

Why is it that some priests refuse those who want to receive Communion kneeling? Why do priests allow someone to remove the Host from their fingers and “give themselves” Communion. Should not the priest refuse this? (that is invalid) With “Communion in the Hand” we invite satan to influence the weak. We find Hosts as bookmarks, under the pews, inside of pockets, and, of course, They are really welcomed at “Black Masses” and various other sacrilegious functions. There is a reason why the practice of Communion on the Tongue was instigated. In many years past, the Particles of the Consecrated Bread would fall on the floor. This was desecration of The Sacred Consecrated Bread. Hence the Host on the tongue.
At Mass we look like “corks on water” bobbing up and down individually at our own discretion. Where are the “rules”? Who’s the Coach, the Referees? As was said before, when there are no rules it is chaos. However, the rules must conform to the Tradition of the “game”. As Peter said, “To Whom do we turn but to Thee, Oh, Lord”.

I am not blaming Vatican II for all of this chaos! Many in authority have interpreted it erroneously. But, the continuance of the misinterpretation has caused “lethal chaos”. Do we have good “refs”, of course we have. Many, many great Bishops and Priests are as saddened as we are by the present situation. Some can’t even express their opinion because of obedience to their superiors who don’t agree with them. Whoa, to the Bishops and Priests who lead the flock toward perdition! Why is it that in the apparitions such as LaSalette, Fatima, and some of the still unapproved apparitions, is so much said about the “men of God”. Our Lady literally sat down and cried at LaSalette. She foretold of our present situation back in 1846. (this Message is a “MUST READ” for anyone truly interested in our Church and Our Lady). In Fatima, Our Lady asked us to “Pray for priests”. In Fatima Our Lady also showed the Children the vision of hell. When was the last time we heard a sermon (homily) on hell, Purgatory, sin, Confession, or the Ten Commandments??

Speaking of the “rules of the game”; all players have to wear the same uniform. When priests don’t wear the “collar”, are they on the team? Is it pride that keeps them from wanting to be like the others? Wearing the Collar, or Habit, shows they are united as Alter Christus’s for representing Christ to the laity. It sets them apart for teaching, blessing, uniting and even more, for their EXAMPLE. Our Lord said, “If you deny me on earth, I will deny you in front of My Father”. How many “denials” are we going to witness? As Bishop Sheen says, “Priests do not go on vacation”. A very wise, and loyal, husband told a priest while exhorting the fact that he did not need to wear his collar, “It’s just like me removing my wedding ring. It would be only that I was thinking of leaving or that I was dating. Those are the same thoughts that we have about priests who refuse to wear the collar”.
Perhaps if more priests would show their “Alter Christus” status, we would have more vocations and they would certainly be worthy of far more respect. Respect, another word we have forgotten.

From Sister Lucia’s own words in her book, “Calls” from the Message of Fatima, on page 180, paragraph 2, she states, “Habits are the distinguishing mark of a consecration, a protection of decorum and Christian modesty a means of defense for the consecrated person. Those who are consecrated value them in the same way as soldiers value their uniforms and graduates their coloured stripes: the habit marks them out and indicates what they are and the place they occupy, while the same time obliging them to behave in a way that is appropriate to their status. Hence, to lay aside the habit is a retrograde step; it is to disappear into the ranks of those who have not been called or chosen for something higher; it is to strip oneself of a mark of distinction that singles a person out and raises that person up, it is to descent to a lower level, in order to live like those who have not been called to the higher one.” Although this speaks of “habits”, it is just as applicable to Roman Collars and/or the priestly Habit. This was taken from the English translation of Sister Lucia’s book, written in Portuguese, and called, “Apelos de Mensagem de Fatima” (Appeals of the Message of Fatima)

The Holy Roman Catholic Church will be with us ‘till the end of time. We know that. Christ told us that. It is up to us to see that it is kept whole ‘till that time. How much do we organize, or ban together, to write our Bishops, Priests or the press, when something sacrilegious occurs? On many occasions, the press and Hollywood have shown utter disrespect for the Catholic Church. Where are the Catholics who protest. Are the muslims as complacent in the same situation?

There was a time when we had the Legion of Decency in the United States. This organization told the press and Hollywood to “stay in line” with morality. That is another change since Vatican II. Where did it go? Who tells Hollywood that they “better not” make some of the films that they produce. From where did all this “power of immorality” come? WE LET IT HAPPEN BY OUR INDIFFERENCE!!

Bishop Sheen says, “Sex is a mystery”, when preaching sex to youth. It is blatantly proclaimed openly in all movies, t.v. commercials, fashions etc. in our world today. Is nothing sacred anymore? And, yes, the new fashions accompany many women going up to receive Communion. Once, that was not accepted! They were denied the Sacrament due to lack of reverence.
Sacred and Reverence, two other words that we have almost forgotten.

Am I fighting progress? Absolutely NOT. Progress is a great thing and we should all want to achieve it, but not at the cost of losing one’s soul. Prudence is a Gift of the Holy Spirit given to each of us who pray for it. Laxity is the culprit that is enveloping us now and will be our damnation. A very famous and mostly forgotten line is: “For evil to exist, the good must do nothing”. We must ask ourselves how much evil have we allowed to exist.

We have been in “confusion” in the Church many times before—and—we still exist because Christ is our Head and has said that He would be with us till the end of time.
How much more can we offend Him before he will “teach us our lesson”?
The entire world is confused but we can’t blame the world for confusion. We have let the world down. All countries are suffering from lack of leadership, especially religious leadership. Can we not see the “signs of the times” as Jesus said?
Catholic countries like Ireland, Italy, Portugal and Spain are all “taking a hit” from laxity, indifference and lack of strong leadership. The little country of Ireland fed the world with priests at one time and converted so many pagans. So have other countries. Who? What? Changed the parameters of the “game”? Let’s think about it.

We are losing some of our faithful to “other teams”. It is not for money, comfort, social status etc., but for the discipline that they offer, for the strong leadership and the continuous teaching. Fortunately, these numbers are limited, but the loss of any is a bad example.

Our “team” must return to victory and overcome our challenges. EVERY human being knows that to have a tree that bares good fruit, it must be pruned and trimmed. Our beautiful and holy Church has gotten “bushy and unkempt”. The trunk is strong and will withstand the pruning. By being active, prayerful and vigilant, we can help the Church avoid the schisms of the past.
Let me leave you with two quotes which can help us understand our dilemma.

“Those who do not remember the past, are condemned to repeat it”.
(George Santayana-Spanish philosopher-1863-1952)

“The one thing that we have learned from history is that we have learned nothing from history”
(Bishop Fulton J. Sheen- Orator and Philosopher of our times)

So, let each of us become involved with PRAYER and keeping an alert eye for illicit and invalid Masses (and report them), compliment our Priests who wear Ecclesiastical Garb (Canon Law 284) and have Eucharistic Adoration as well as other truly Catholic practices.

All Catholics are obligated to pray for our new “Coach”, Pope Benedict XVI, and be confident that he will help our Church in this dark hour of need.

We must all unite, Pope, Cardinal, Bishop, Priest and Laity, to support the HANGING CHRIST on the Cross and His Blessed Mother at the foot of that Cross.

Deo Gratias


Junette Merwin, May 13, 2006

(The authoress is not a member of any group who is not in compliance with The Holy See.)

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