Eyedoctor's Site: The Tribulation Times

"It seems, therefore, that notwithstanding the decisions of two commissions accepted by the bishops of Santander, that there are reasonable grounds for individual Catholics to find Garabandal credible. The children themselves predicted that the message of Garabandal would be approved with difficulty, but in sufficient time to spread it. Perhaps this means that the 'warning' (a clearly supernatural event) must occur first for approval to be given. Given the seriousness of the times we do well to heed the message of conversion, whether proposed by Fátima or some other source such as Garabandal, Medjugorje or another, without fear, that is, with complete confidence in God's providence for us and the world. The future will take care of itself if we remain spiritually prepared for anything. This has always been the advice of the saints, anyway."

More on Garabandal's "status": http://www.marysyellowstone.com/news/garabandal.htm

The Desert Fathers: sayings of the Early Christian Monks: Obedience

10. She also said, 'We ought to behave always with discretion and remain in the community, not following our own will, nor seeking our own good. Like exiles we have benn separated from the things of the world and have given ourselves in faith to the one Father. We need nothing of what we have left behind. There we had reputation and plenty to eat; here we have little to eat an not much of anything else.'

“The Christian economy, therefore, since it is the new and definitive Covenant, will never pass away; and no new public revelation is to be expected before the glorious manifestation of our Lord Jesus Christ. Yet even if Revelation is already complete, it has not been made completely explicit; it remains for Christian faith gradually to grasp its full significance over the course of the centuries. Throughout the ages, there have been so-called ‘private’ revelations, some which have been recognized by the authority of the Church. They do not belong, however, to the deposit of the faith. It is not their role to improve or complete Christ’s definitive Revelation, but to help live more fully by it in a certain period of history. Guided by the magisterium of the Church, the sensus fidelium knows how to discern and welcome in these revelations whatever constitutes an authentic call of Christ or his saints to the Church. Christian faith cannot accept ‘revelations’ that claim to surpass or correct the Revelation of which Christ is the fulfillment, as is the case in certain non-Christian religions and also in certain recent sects which base themselves on such ‘revelations’.” What I just quoted is from The Catechism of the Catholic Church. This entire book is doctrinal teaching, which every Catholic is required to accept and believe.

The Church does not tell us that we cannot study or believe in private revelation. What it says is that new private revelation cannot be something that is new doctrine or dogma and not revealed before and the private revelation must be just an aid to help us apply original revelation that we do not fully understand to our current times. As an example, Holy Scriptures (public revelation) frequently tells us how dependent we are upon God’s mercy and that we should seek it. In the early part of the last century our Lord appeared to a religious, Blessed Faustina Kowalska, for several years and had her write about his Divine Mercy. These teachings (private revelation) only enhanced what we already knew about our Lord’s mercy and prepared us for the times in which we currently live. The Church decided that these private revelations are worthy of belief. These teachings include the Divine Mercy Novena, Chaplet of Divine Mercy and Divine Mercy Sunday following Easter Sunday.

Holy Church does give us guidance regarding private revelation. “Declarations: Since the abolition of Canons 1399 and 2318 of the former Canonical Code, publications about new appearances, revelations, prophecies, miracles, etc., have been allowed to be distributed and read by the faithful without the express permission of the Church, providing they contain nothing which contravenes faith and morals. This means no imprimatur is necessary when distributing information on new apparitions not yet judged by the Church. The authors wish to manifest unconditional submission to the final judgment of the Magisterium of the Church regarding any events presently under investigation.”

“The Roman Pontiff and the bishops, in view of their office and importance of the matter, by fitting means diligently strive to inquire properly into that revelation and to give apt expression to its contents; but a new public revelation they do not accept as pertaining to the divine deposit of faith.” “The Christian dispensation, therefore, as the new and definitive covenant, will never pass away and we now await no further new revelation before the glorious manifestation of our Lord Jesus Christ.” “But the task of authentically interpreting the word of God, whether written or handed on, has been entrusted exclusively to the living teaching office of the Church whose authority is exercised in the name of Jesus Christ.”

References available by request at [email protected].

The Desert Fathers: sayings of the Early Christian Monks: Hospitality

5. A brother came to Poemen in the second week of Lent and told him his thoughts, and found peace of mind from his answer. Then he said, 'I almost didn't come to see you today.' Poemen asked him why. He said, 'I was afraid that the door wouldn't be opened as it is Lent.' Poemen answered him, 'It is not wooden doors we were taught to shut; the door we need to keep shut is the mouth.'

The Desert Fathers: sayings of the Early Christian Monks: Unceasing Prayer

13. One of the hermits said, 'No one can see his face reflected in muddy water; so the soul cannot pray to God with contemplation unless it is first cleansed of harmful thoughts.'

OPENING PRAYER (COLLECT) APRIL 26: Father, in this holy season we come to know the full depth of your love. You have freed us from the darkness of error and sin. Help us to cling to your truths with fidelity. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever. Amen

Babies who die before being baptised will no longer be trapped in limbo following a decision by the Pope to abolish the concept from Roman Catholic teaching. The decision was taken after Benedict XVI was presented with Vatican studies that said there were "serious" grounds that such souls could go to heaven, rather than exist between heaven and hell as they have done for almost 800 years.

The 41-page report by the Vatican's Theological Commission, which was compiled following a three-year study, said the concept was an "unduly restrictive view of salvation". However, it added that baptism was the only way to remove the stain of original sin - which according to the Catholic faith all are born with - and urged parents to continue to baptise their children.

"There is greater theological awareness today that God is merciful and wants all human beings to be saved. Grace has priority over sin, and the exclusion of innocent babies from heaven does not seem to reflect Christ's special love for the little ones," the report says.

"Our conclusion is that the many factors that we have considered... give serious theological and liturgical grounds for hope that unbaptised infants who die will be saved and enjoy the beatific vision. We emphasise that these are reasons for prayerful hope, rather than grounds for sure knowledge."

One reason the Second Vatican Council rejected attempts to strengthen teaching against the salvation of unbaptized infants was that bishops felt it was "not the faith of their people," the document said.

It referred to an important teaching of Vatican II, which said that the whole body of the faithful shares in Christ's prophetic office and "cannot err in matters of belief."

To support its conclusions on limbo, the theological commission's document also cited the need for the church to read the "signs of the times" in order to better understand the gospel.

EXCERPT VIA ZENIT: On Origen of Alexandria "He Was a True Teacher"

Here is a translation of the address Benedict XVI delivered today at the general audience in St. Peter's Square. The reflection focused on Origen of Alexandria.

"Dear Brothers and Sisters, In our meditations on the great figures of the ancient Church, today we will get to know one of the most outstanding. Origen of Alexandria is one of the key people for the development of Christian thought. He draws on the teachings he inherited from Clement of Alexandria, whom we reflected upon last Wednesday, and brings them forward in a totally innovative way, creating an irreversible turn in Christian thought.

He was a true teacher; this is how his students nostalgically remembered him: not only as a brilliant theologian, but as an exemplary witness of the doctrine he taught. "He taught," wrote Eusebius of Caesarea, his enthusiastic biographer, "that one's conduct must correspond to the word, and it was for this reason above all that, helped by God's grace, he led many to imitate him" (Hist. Eccl. 6,3,7).

I invite you to welcome the teachings of this great teacher of the faith into your hearts. He reminds us that in the prayerful reading of Scripture and in a coherent way of life, the Church is renewed and rejuvenated."

EDITOR'S NOTE: The Pope's glowing comments with regards to Origen contrast with the long held opinion of many within the Church that various of Origen's teachings were condemned as heresy after his death. Most controversial perhaps, is the tenet of the universality of the redemption and the final restoration (Apocatastasis). This name is given in the history of theology to the doctrine which teaches that a time will come when all free creatures will share in the grace of salvation; in a special way, the devils and lost souls.

Given Origen's belief in universal salvation it is certain that he would be in complete agreement with the Vatican Theological Commission's conclusions wtih regards to Limbo.

Were Origen and Origenism anathematized? Many learned writers believe so; an equal number deny that they were condemned; most modern authorities are either undecided or reply with reservations.

FROM THE MAILBAG VIA PHILIP: The perfection of His Church is in its founder – nowhere else. From the beginning the apostles were weak, there were many heresies, yet the promise of continuity has been fulfilled. His Church has persevered for almost 2000 years by His guidance, not the actions of its members, and will continue to the end of time.

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February	August	February	August	Feb-March	August	February	August	February
March	September	March	September	April	September	Lent	September	Lent
April	October	A pri l	October	May	October	April	October	April
May-June	November	May	November	June	November	May	November
	December	June	December		December	June	December

1997	1998		1999		2000		2001		2002
June-July	January	July	January	July	January	July	January	July	January	July
August	February	August	February	August	February	August	February	August	February	August
September	March	September	March	September	March/April	September	March/April	September	March	September
October	April	October	April	October	May	October	May	October	April	October
November	May	November	May	November	June	November	June	November	May	November
December	June	December	June	December		December		December	June	December

Keep your eyes open!...