He need not worry. On his best day he could not likely convert anyone to the Catholic Faith.
PopeWatch: But of Course
Donald R. McClarey
Cradle Catholic. Active in the pro-life movement since 1973. Father of three, one in Heaven, and happily married for 41 years. Small town lawyer and amateur historian. Former president of the board of directors of the local crisis pregnancy center for a decade.
Little Red Riding Hood was cautioned by her mother to “stay on the path”. The flowers were pretty so Little Red Riding Hood ventured off “the path” to pick the pretty flowers. Then the wolf came. “What big teeth you have grandma” “All the better to eat you” said the wolf.
The wood cutter chopped the wolf into pieces and freed grandma whom the wolf had already eaten.
“The path” is Christ. The wolf is sin. Little Red Riding Hood is us. The woodcutter is Christ.
To share the joy of Christ is a blessing. Seems like nobody in the Vatican shares the joy of Christ. May the red hat burn a hole in Aguiar’s soul.
In this case, you can’t give what you don’t have, and that’s a real shame.
If you don’t cultivate a dwelling place for the Holy Spirit within your soul you end up being nothing more salt that has lost it’s flavor.
The spirit of anti-church will be trampled upon by enthusiastic young adults who have cultivated a rich soil where the Holy Spirit will manifest acts of mercy beyond expectations. Other young adults will be drawn into a thirst for righteousness because Truth is witnessed in action. Conversions fill the heavenly realm with a storm of happiness that brings our Father a tear of Joy.
For the conversion of sinners we pray; Our Father..who art in Heaven…..
How does that saying go, you had one job and only one (important) job to do?
The good news is that we no longer have to wonder where the “smoke of Satan” ended up.
I’m disappointed and saddened to read this. The youth who are travelling to WYD intend to do so because of their trust and fidelity in Jesus Christ, Our Lord and Saviour, who they know is the centre of their world. My daughter is one of those youths who is travelling to Lisbon for WYD with a group of other Catholic girls. They are also pilgrimaging to various Marian sites and Churches in France, Portugal and Spain. She (and I) know this pilgrimage has the intention to deepen her Faith, regardless of which Pope is leading our Church right now. My daughter has worked hard to save up for this trip. Please pray for her and all the young people who will meet in Lisbon next month. Their sole purpose is Christ and their Catholic Faith (contrary to what this soon-to-be- Cardinal is peddling).
Prayers right now for your daughter. Christ will not be smothered by disingenuous religious.
A short meditation from today’s Presentation Miniseries;
HELL ON EARTH
Jesus “summoned His twelve disciples and gave them authority to expel unclean spirits and to cure sickness and disease of every kind.” —Matthew 10:1
In our secularized times, many Christians are so confused they deny or question the existence or activity of the devil. Their confusion permits the devil to get away with murder, lust, greed, perversion, etc. He has also been able to mass-produce his perversities through mass media, especially TV and online content. The combination of these factors results in a dramatic increase in demonic activity not only in pagan lands but even in Christian areas. We have let the devil become very active in almost every aspect of life. We’ve given him opportunities he may not have had in the past.
Before the devil even further develops his hell on earth, we must reclaim our society for Jesus by attacking the gates of hell (Mt 16:18), commanding Satan to leave (Mk 16:17), disarming and despoiling him (Lk 11:22), and bringing down all his strongholds (2 Cor 10:4). We should make a public spectacle of Satan (Col 2:15) and quickly crush him under our feet (Rm 16:20).
I thought it fitting to insert this bc many religious don’t believe in the existence of Hell or the existence of the devil…hence no need for conversions.
Prayers indeed, Ezabelle, for your daughter and all who will gather for WYD. We can maintain the true Faith despite faithless “shepherds.” And let’s pray for them, too. I wouldn’t want to stand in their shoes before the Just Judge.
I have to wonder, why do these guys bother becoming priests in the first place when they so clearly lack even the basics of true Catholic faith? To celebrate a Mass that they don’t believe is anything but a symbol? To practice a faith they don’t feel any duty to teach and pass on to the flock? I have some theories, but they aren’t worth going into here. All I am sure of is that, thanks to PF and his many obviously apostate or heretic friends and appointees, I can no longer even stand to watch a Mass from Rome or the Basilica in D.C., because I know most of the clerics involved are just going through the motions. What a sad state of affairs.
Thank you Philip. Thank you Frank. I share your sentiments and find comfort that fellow Christians like yourselves who cling to the Truth, are praying and are steadfast. Yes- our Faith, our God-given identity- will not be smothered by the disingenuous leaders in our Church. We need to look no further than the youth who thirst for the Truth- the one and only Jesus Christ, Son of God, Our Lord and Saviour- these young people are present throughout the world. I don’t believe the Faith is dying amongst the young. The Faithful, such as yourselves, who refuse to be deterred by the lies and stand firm in the affirmation of the Truth are truly blessings. God Bless you both and all the Faithful here, near and far.
Like the rest of the pontiff’s men, the newly-minted Cardinal is too busy converting Catholicism to the world to dream of doing anything else.
It is their hour, and they intend to make the most of it. The Almighty has a veto, even if He seems disinclined to use it.
Américo Manuel Alves Aguiar, the Auxiliary Bishop of Lisbon, is only 49 years old.
He’ll be poisoning the well for decades to come.
[…] News & Commentary: PopeWatch: But of Course – Donald R. McClarey, J.D., at The American Catholic Socialism in One Video – Donald R. […]
Just recently there was a short piece about a seminarian in Brazil who was at the WYD in Brazil, actually got into Pope Francis’s presence, and was so moved by the experience that he got serious about his faith and discerned a vocation to the priesthood. I am aghast that anyone would suggest that WYD is NOT for converting people, etc. Why else gather people together from all over the world in one place, have the pope there, so many bishops, priests, religious, etc? The leaders don’t seem to realize that youth are precisely the ones who need to be encouraged and challenged to a deeper relationship with Christ and the Church. They become much better Christians, evangelizers, spouses, parents, priests, religious, because of genuine fervor that gets fanned to flame in such an atmosphere. Hopefully they’ll return to their homes and parishes and schools renewed and some truly converted, in spite of such idiotic comments and ideas. Haven’t we learned from the movements which we hear about and have come to loathe who do this very thing, convince youth in large gatherings to follow their lead, and to use the youthful energy and idealism to conquer society, viz., the Communist Party in China under Mao.
Father Michael, thank you for your witness. I also participated in WYD Toronto (St JP2 last WYD), and it is impossible NOT to strengthen your Faith or be inspired to deepen your relationship with Jesus at a WYD. I recall groups from other Christian denominations being present (probably to evangelise) and other non-Catholic groups- Jews for Jesus. But it is definitely for Catholics and has Catholicism at its core. My husband and I also attended Mass at WYD Sydney, presided over by Pope Benedict. You have young people from all over the world travelling long distances for an encounter with the Faith and fellow Catholics. Camping on the floor in schools and halls, and outdoors on ovals in anticipation of the final Mass. It’s not a trip to the mall.
I don’t know what Bishop Aguiar is thinking to say what he said…he is the wrong appointment as Head if WYD Lisbon 2023. He used to be a councilman and member of the Socialist Party prior to being a Priest. So he knows how to play the political game. So he is clearly climbing the “career” ladder the only way he knows how. Just disappointing it’s working.
https://www.pillarcatholic.com/p/the-rise-of-bishop-americo-aguiar
it is impossible NOT to strengthen your Faith or be inspired to deepen your relationship with Jesus at a WYD
Right! Condoms in the restrooms … Free-for-all communion out of plastic SOLO cups … The Eucharist being blown out of people’s hands into the mud?
?w=600
How could it be possible for a reverent soul to witness such a melee event without having their faith shaken?
Rubbish. I didn’t see condoms in any restroom or communion out of a solo cup. I received communion the regular way at Mass. Big fat blown out of proportion skewed reporting. But you’re right- better the youth sit in their bedrooms on their iPhones watching Tiktok and catching up on their snaps than praying. Yep.