Pray in a special way. Offer your mortifications.

The liberals have sensed that the Holy Father is weak right now and they are attacking.

Bishops in Austria have risen up against the appointment of a bishop.

Several bishops have issued decisions or statements in some way related to the older form of Holy Mass.  For example, the Cardinal in Manila put out an insulting set of "guidelines".  The Cardinal of Westminster stuck his thumb in the eye of the LMS. 

Sundry leftist wonks have had op-ed pieces in the secular and Catholic press whining and wringing their hands about the SSPX and now liberal priests who habitually let those wonks think for them, are now feeding the trash they swallowed to their flocks.

I made this observation a while back: the attacks on the Holy Father are going to increase and descend in viciousness.

Pray for the Holy Father.

Ask God, if it is His will, to let you bear some of the burden of suffering.

Offer some penances, prayers, fasting or alms as you pray for our Holy Father.

Ask the holy guardian angels of those who are attacking the Holy Father and his vision for the Church, to help the Holy Spirit open their hearts.

Pray that Pope Benedict will be given the strength to make changes around himself.

Pray that he will, if need be, change those whom he, with trust, chose to cooperate in his heavy mandate.

About Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Fr. Z is the guy who runs this blog. o{]:¬)
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74 Comments

  1. Paul says:

    I will do this.

  2. Fr. BJ says:

    I am encouraging folks to make a small sacrifice for the Holy Father as part of their Lenten discipline this year.

  3. paul says:

    Father, the Holy Father specifically mentioned the importance of fasting for Lent this year. Perhaps he was speaking prophetically to all of us who love the papacy?

  4. Christa says:

    I will also do this. The Holy Father was one of the reasons I was drawn to the Church. I owe him much.

  5. Oliver says:

    Yes, let’s pray more for him (we have a splendid novena for that, e.g.).
    But, also, don’t forget to sign and make sign the letter in support of our Holy Father, here : http://www.soutienabenoitxvi.org/index.php?lang=uk
    (in eleven languages)
    It has already nearly 45000 signatures and is growing. The initial occasion was to support the particular move of the removal of the excommunications but the wording supports his global politics of restoration of the Church on its Tradition – his Marshall plan, do we say here.
    The pope must know we are many to support him : http://www.soutienabenoitxvi.org/index.php?lang=uk

  6. Fr Smith says:

    My heart has been very heavy over all of this, and I have resolved to enlist my school children to pray and sacrifice for the Holy Father. I am not a believer in letter writing campaigns, but I did send an email of support for the Holy Father and expression of my sadness at the Austrian hierarchy to both the Austrian Bishop’s Conference as well as to the Nuncio. One of the minutanti in the Nunciature wrote me back this morning thanking me for my email and promised to send it forward to the Vatican. I am not sure why (maybe it is to put me on a blacklist, but I am not campaigning for bishop anyway, so who cares?). Some demons are only cast out with prayer and fasting, so let us continue to do so for the Pope that this evil may be conquered!

  7. Jill says:

    I will also pray for the Holy Father to give him the strength he needs at this time consistent with your request, Fr. Z. We are blessed beyond belief to have this faithful servant and genius of a man as our Holy Father.

    St. Michael, pray for us!

  8. Marilee says:

    Father Z,

    Our prayer group FSD (First Saturday Devotees) Seattle, WA, have daily prayers for Pope Benedict XVI. I will campaign for more prayers to be said for the Holy Father. Signs of the Times. Let us all keep the Faith. We all know who is the Victor, so let us be on HIS side. Mother Mary and Her Army are very powerful. God bless.

  9. Mary in CO says:

    Praying and will start the Lenten fasting a wee bit early, Fr. Z.

  10. KK says:

    On it. His will be done.

  11. Prof. Basto says:

    Great suggestion, Father. I’ll certainly do extra prayer and mortification for the Holy Father during the present turmoil.

    *******

    Paolo Rodari from Palazzo Apostolico had this to say about the Wagner affair and the reaction of the Austrian Episcopate to the lifting of the SSPX excommunications:

    Gerhard Wagner: troppo conservatore per essere vescovo

    È dall’episcopato austriaco, oltre che tedesco e francese, che sono arrivate nelle scorse settimane le critiche più aspre alla decisione del Papa di revocare la scomunica ai lefebvriani (un caso ancora non risolto: ieri, infatti, è intervenuto il superiore della Fraternità San Pio X, monsignor Bernard Fellay, a chiedere «chiarimenti urgenti» sulla revoca e sulla reintegrazione nella Chiesa Cattolica). Tra le critiche austriache, quella del vescovo di Salisburgo, Alois Kothgasserm, il quale senza mezzi termini ha detto che con Papa Ratzinger la Chiesa «si sta riducendo a una setta». Parole gravi, in merito alle quali, il presidente della Conferenza episcopale austriaca, il cardinale Christoph Schönborn, non ha preso alcun provvedimento.
    E, sempre Schönborn, nessun provvedimento ha pensato di prendere nelle scorse ore a seguito della notizia che riguarda un altro suo confratello, il vescovo Gerhard Wagner. Questi, soltanto due settimane fa (il 31 gennaio), era stato nominato dal Papa vescovo ausiliare della diocesi austriaca di Linz. Un po’ come è avvenuto con Richard Williamson, Wagner, appena nominato, ha subìto da parte dei media del suo paese una serie violentissima di accuse per colpa di alcune sue vecchie dichiarazioni. Se nel caso Williamson le dichiarazioni contestate erano quelle negazioniste sulla Shoah, qui a essere sotto torchio sono quelle che Wagner dedicò tempo addietro al ciclone Katrina che distrusse New Orleans e alla saga di Harry Potter (proprio così: alla saga di Harry Potter). Nel 2001 Wagner aveva messo in guardia i giovani dalla lettura dei romanzi del ciclo di J. K. Rowling perché, a suo dire, portano a forme di «satanismo». Mentre, nel 2005, il presule (allora era ancora un semplice sacerdote) disse apertamente che l’uragano Katrina era una sorta di punizione divina per l’immoralità di New Orleans: «Non per caso – spiegò – sono state distrutte le cinque cliniche dove si pratica l’aborto e i postriboli». «La catastrofe naturale – si chiese ancora Wagner – non è forse la conseguenza di una catastrofe spirituale?».
    Le accuse a Wagner sono montate giorno dopo giorno. Sui media austriaci il caso ha avuto sempre più spazio. I giornali lo hanno bollato come “ultraconservatore”, etichetta che in certi Paesi pesa come una maledizione. E, di fatto, visto anche il silenzio in merito dei suoi confratelli vescovi, hanno obbligato il presule alle dimissioni. Poche ore fa, infatti, Wagner ha deciso di rinunciare all’incarico affidatogli da Roma: «Alla luce delle pesanti critiche – ha detto – ho deciso, dopo preghiere e un consulto con il vescovo, di chiedere al Santo Padre di ritirare la mia nomina». Così, ha detto, «mi potrò sentire più leggero in confronto alle scorse notti».
    Questo sta succedendo alla Chiesa: mentre presuli e porporati possono liberamente attaccare il Pontefice per la revoca della scomunica ai lefebvriani, un presule ausiliare (dunque un monsignore che svolge semplicemente una funzione di supporto a quella del vescovo titolare) deve dimettersi per dichiarazioni rese in passato sui romanzi di Herry Potter e sull’uragano Katrina. Dichiarazioni (soprattutto quelle su Katrina) gravi ma che, rilasciate tempo addietro a dei media in modo estemporaneo, non dovrebbero costringere un vescovo appena eletto a dimettersi.
    In Vaticano si è indecisi sul da farsi. Anche se, secondo l’agenzia di stampa cattolica Kathpress, la Santa Sede avrebbe già acconsentito alla richiesta di Wagner, pare che le cose siano ancora in stand by. Da una parte c’è chi ritiene che non sia possibile che la congregazione dei vescovi non fosse a conoscenza, prima della nomina, delle dichiarazioni rese in passato da Wagner. E, quindi, c’è chi pensa che, avendo giudicato Wagner eleggibile, ora non si debba fare passi indietro e, anzi, occorra non accettare la richiesta di dimissioni. Dall’altra, c’è chi fa notare come non soltanto i media, ma anche la leadership dell’episcopato austriaco stia mantenendo una condotta parecchio critica nei confronti di Wagner e, dunque, per non provocare tensioni all’interno dell’episcopato, occorra accettare la volontà espressa dal presule.
    Ieri pomeriggio Schönborn ha convocato una riunione straordinaria dei vescovi per parlare del caso. In questa sede nessuno l’ha difeso. Anzi, il documento finale dell’assise di fatto sconfessa la scelta di Roma di nominarlo vescovo e, incredibilmente, chiede che il Vaticano (e quindi il Papa) faccia proprio un migliore processo di scelta ed esame nelle nomine episcopali. I vescovi hanno scritto che non vogliono un ritorno ai tempi del Kaiser, quando era l’imperatore a scegliere i vescovi. E nemmeno un balzo in una sorta di democrazia ecclesiastica, ma più che altro che prima che le decisioni del Papa vengano prese vi siano «fondamenti affidabili e ampiamente provati sui quali egli possa appoggiarsi». Si sente, dietro queste parole, il disappunto austriaco sul caso Williamson, e, insieme, si avverte un certo malcontento contro l’attuale governo vaticano. Nei prossimi mesi in Austria vi saranno parecchie nomine importanti e l’episcopato, con le parole scritte nel comunicato, ha lanciato un messaggio inequivocabile a Roma.
    Nella Curia romana, coloro che ritengono che non si debbano accettare le dimissioni di Wagner pensano che si debba mandare un segnale forte diretto alla leadership dell’episcopato austriaco. Un segnale che faccia capire chi è che comanda. Un segnale che arrivi sia alle orecchie del nuovo nunzio, l’arcivescovo Peter Stephan Zurbriggen, sia a quelle di Schönborn, un porporato considerato più ratzingeriano di Ratzinger.

    Source: http://www.paolorodari.com/

  12. Luigi says:

    “The liberals have sensed that the Holy Father is weak right now and they are attacking…”

    I have no doubt that you are correct in saying that the liberals percieve weakness. They are, of course, dead wrong and have underestimated the Holy Father entirely.

    The Holy Father is not in fact weak in any way, shape or form. Benedict knows exctly what he is doing, and while the particulars may occasionally come as unexpected, he has known all along that his efforts could very well result in a smaller more faithful Church. I would say that he is stronger now than ever as he is dictating the course of events.

    I absolutely agree that he is suffering the nonsense just the same and we should all pray and fast for the pope’s well-being.

  13. Paule says:

    I will fast and pray and ask God what suffering I can carry. We need to fight for our Faith, for the Holy Father and ultimately for Christ. The battle is already won, but we are the Church militant and we should keep the fight on our knees. This will not finish soon and will be painful, but Christ is victorious. Keep up the Hope and Keep up the Faith. The Virgin Mary is the commander in chief of the army.

  14. Wonderful words to say to us Father. I always can benefit from encouragement to pray and do penance.

    I can’t imagine what sufferings our dear Holy Father lives every day. but liberals viciously attacking for such and such a reason? yawn. what’s new? [not to belittle the seriousness of what the Pope must endure]

    All Catholics are all called to martyrdom in one way or another, in big and small ways. I hope I don’t weasel as the pressure increases! Let’s all pray for each other too.

  15. RichR says:

    Besides praying for HH, I’ve told my 6 year old to pray hard for the Pope. God listens to the prayers of the innocent. Please don’t underestimate a child’s ability to rise to the occasion of prayer and sacrifice to God. Get them involved.

  16. I will offer up my sufferings and my Lenten penance for the Holy Father. I know so many who are suffering now. I feel like the Church itself is under spiritual attack.

  17. Mattk says:

    Long ago were the days when the gates of Vienna held the enemies of Christ at bay…

  18. Thomas says:

    I will continue to ask the Lord to allow me to bear as much of the Holy Father’s suffering as possible.

    I remember liberal family members in distress at the Holy Father’s election saying that at his age he’s just a “transitional” pope. They said it to comfort themselves I think. I doubt they’re happy now with how correct they were. Bring on the transition!

  19. Kevin says:

    I will do this.

  20. Daniel says:

    It is, of course, up to Father Z to determine whether he will allow my lengthy message to stand.

    Let us place the “rage” against the Holy Father into perspective. In the United States for example, about 80 percent of “Catholics” have dropped out of the “Novus Ordo.”…the simply have stopped assisting at Mass regularly.

    The Church in Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Europe has collapsed.

    During the past 40 or so years, tens of millions of Catholic in Mexico, Central America and South America have abandoned the Church. Some pockets of Catholicism exist in Africa and Asia.

    Overall, though, ever since Vatican II and the creation of the Novus Ordo, the majority of Catholics have ceased to care about the Church.

    The reality is that relatively few Catholics care about the Papacy. They don’t shower the Pope with love…they don’t hate him. To many Catholics, the Pope is simply another religious figure.

    Does widespread rage against the Pope truly exist with the Church? No.

    In my little part of the world, I haven’t encountered even one Catholic who, for example, expressed outrage regarding the Holy Father and SSPX.

    Outside of cyberspace, I literally don’t know anybody who knows and/or cares about the SSPX.

    Therefore, who has Pope Benedict XVI enraged within the Church?

    There are neo-conservatives, particularly those who publish newsletters and magazines, who despise the Traditional Mass and SSPX.

    They have spent years attacking Traditional Catholics. Pretending that anti-Semitism is associated with the Traditional Mass and Traditional Catholics is par for the course among more than a few neo-conservatives.

    It is mysterious that certain neo-conservative publications have gone to great lengths to link Traditional Catholicism to anti-Semitism.

    Therefore, certain leading neo-conservatives during the past few weeks have found it within their hearts to criticize Rome.

    Various leading modernists who also despise the Traditional Mass and SSPX have found it within their hearts to level attacks against Rome.

    But outside various Churchmen and leading neo-conservatives, has the rage against Rome in recent weeks also found a voice among the “common” people in the pews?

    I don’t think so.

    Among the 15 to 20 percent of Catholics who assist regularly at Mass, are many who practice artificial birth control, support priestesses and even abortion.

    Said folks have many “issues” regarding the Church. But I, at least, have not encountered great rage from them regarding the recent controversies that have surrounded Rome.

    Therefore, who hates Pope Benedict XVI?

    Outside the Church, many Jews and news media folks during recent weeks have attack the Holy Father.

    But within the Church, who has attacked the Pope? Again, the majority of baptized Catholics do not assist at Mass regularly. They couldn’t care less about the Church, Pope, Mass and SSPX.

    Among the 15 to 20 percent of “common” Catholics who still assist at Mass each Sunday, I contend that they have not of late raged against the Holy Father.

    After all, the “common” Catholic in the pews cares little, if anything, about the SSPX and revival of the “Latin Mass.”

    The criticism spewed in recent weeks against Rome has come from leading liberal Churchmen and neo-conservatives.

    Each group share the following in common: They dislike the Traditional Mass and SSPX.

    They have fired the recent criticisms that were aimed at Rome.

    The majority of Mass-going Catholics, even though many do not believe in various Catholic teachings, are not given to assaulting the Pope.

  21. Happy Apple User says:

    “Pray for the Holy Father.

    Ask God, if it is His will, to let you bear some of the burden of suffering.”

    Okay Fr. Z, I will.

  22. Jim says:

    Amen. I will pray for the Holy Father every day during Lent, as a special intention.

  23. Daniel, the issue, to me, is not whether the majority of people in the pews are in open rebellion against the pope (although, given the few who actually follow the Church\’s teachings and/or believe in the Real Presence, that may be debatable), but the number bishops who see fit to go against the Holy Father in public.

  24. ckdexterhaven says:

    Thank you for the reminder to pray and offer penance. I will happily do it for our Holy Father. I think it was in Archbishop Burke’s last letter, he reminded us to reassert our Catholic identity. This is a way to do so as well as praying for Pope BXVI and I am also praying for this country which I dearly love. I don’t want to lose it. Father, if you are going to offer a Mass for Holy Father, will you give us a heads up so we can pray that our angels can be in attendance? I am praying also for Nancy Pelosi’s soul as well.

  25. RichR says:

    Daniel,

    I agree with your assessment of the widespread complacency out there. It is nothing new. Look at how things unfolded in England during the Protestant Reformation. The initial disputes were from political leaders and wayward prelates looking to gain from King Henry’s separation from Rome. The average pew-sitter didn’t see anything change until after Henry’s death. Even then, the changes were so subtle that few noticed them. The process of slipping away from Rome was so gradual that by the time people realized they were not Roman Catholic in practice, they found it hard to oppose the schism because they had accepted so much up until then. Yes, there were pockets of rebellion, and many martyrs died gloriously for the Faith, but the average person didn’t care that they were now Anglican.

    The apathy of the masses combined with the threats of the religious and political leaders is a dangerous combination that has resulted in schism before. It is still possible. Do not be comforted by mass ignorance and laziness. It is, instead, a call for those who know to share what they can when they can.

    Share the suffering with the HF. Share the truth with those who will listen.

  26. Andrew, UK and sometimes Canada says:

    The liberals perceive only their own weakness. Our Holy Father is in a dangerous position now because, like wounded people, he faces those whose only options are fight or flight. He has called their bluff and it is terrifying.

  27. Alexandra B. says:

    I absolutely will do this… thanks for the post!

  28. Ave Maria! says:

    As the Holy Father is vilified and the vicious attacks continue not only from without but within even by bishops and cardinals who should know better than to attack the Vicar of Christ, this will spread to all true and faithful Catholics.

    The 20% that still attend Mass…I agree that the SSPX issue is a non-issue to almost all of them. Our archbishop does not care for the TLM although he has allowed one FSSP parish to satisfy for the needs of the whole archdiocese. WE are essentially novus ordo to the core and no movement to make the TLM part of regular parish life is underfoot.

    The bishops in open rebellion is a terrible scandal and carries much responsibility before the Lord.

  29. Antonio says:

    God bless the Pope.

  30. Fr. R says:

    Just finished saying Mass for our Holy Father. I will keep him in my prayers and in the celebration of the Eucharist especially in this times.
    Brother priests, let us pray for the Holy Father in these troubled times!

  31. K. Van Keith says:

    I am appaled by the very public criticism of the Holy Father by Cardinals
    and Bishops around the world. This behaviour certainly isn’t building up
    The Body of Christ for the rest of us.

    If they have issues let them take it up with the Pope in private. Personally
    I don’t want to hear about or see it in print.

    As to the SSPX bishops and all that surrounds this issue, God has His own
    plan regardless of what anyone thinks and it will happen according to His
    will, not ours. We need to pray for Unity within the Church, all of the
    Church!

  32. Liam says:

    What objective reason (and how certain are we to be of it) do we have to think that the Holy Father views the situation this way?

  33. Warren says:

    Psalm 18, Douay-Rheims version. “The Lord is my firmament, my refuge, and my deliverer (v.2).” A good psalm to accompany one during battle.

  34. Joel0314 says:

    Daniel, I have to agree with Father Z. Just last night a parish priest in a RCIA class responded to a question about the SSPX by saying of the Holy Father: “He’s a seminary professor. What would he know about running the Church?”

    The only way to deal with this is on my knees….

  35. Joe says:

    Jesus Christ Himself said that the gates of hell would not prevail against it.

    Nevertheless, we all must pray for the Holy Father. Papa Benedetto knows what is wrong in the church and is working to correct things.

  36. Yes, we must pray in this most awful of situations.

    Satan is having none of the current goings on in the Vatican and the Roman Catholic Church. He is angry. He is sick and tired of being chained. So who is he going after? The Pope, of course.

    We must pray a great deal that this storm pass. We must be aware that the barque of Peter needs as many hands on deck as it can.

  37. cuaguy says:

    Long Live The Pope
    A Hymn for the Pope
    Long live the Pope!
    His praises sound
    Again and yet again:
    His rule is over space and time:
    His throne the heart of men:
    All hail! The Shepherd Pope of Rome,
    The theme of loving song:
    Let all the earth his glory sing
    And heav’n the strain prolong.

    Beleaguered by
    By the foes of earth,
    Beset by hosts of hell,
    He guards the loyal flock of Christ,
    A watchful sentinel:
    And yet, amid the din and strife,
    The clash of mace and sword,
    He bears alone the Shepherd Staff,
    The champion of the Lord.

    Then raise the chant,
    With heart and voice,
    In Church & school & home:
    “Long live the Shepherd of the Flock!
    Long live the Pope of Rome!”
    Almighty Father bless his work,
    Protect him in his ways,
    Receive his prayer, fulfill his hopes,
    And grant him length of days!

    http://www.ewtn.com/jp2/papal3/long_live.htm

  38. Paul the Other says:

    I too shall do this. God bless the Holy Father.

  39. cuaguy says:

    As an update, the actual hymn starts on the third line, I forgot a space in between the title, and the words of the hymn

  40. David Kastel says:

    These ‘liberal’ bishops better not be too strict with their requirements for the TLM. The Holy Father could pull the rug out from under them and simply “de-un-canonize” the SSPX and allow them to operate outside of the bishops’ claws.

  41. Margaret says:

    Thank you for the reminder, Father Z. I don’t pray or offer up nearly enough for our wonderful Shepherd.

  42. mrsmontoya says:

    I have come down with whatever awful bug is going around. How can I offer this sort of mundane suffering up?

    I am in solidarity with you all as we storm Heaven with our prayers. What more can one do? Please give the command!

  43. Mark says:

    O glorious prince St. Michael, chief and commander of the heavenly hosts, guardian of souls, vanquisher of rebel spirits, servant in the house of the Divine King and our admirable conductor, you who shine with excellence and superhuman virtue deliver us from all evil, who turn to you with confidence and enable us by your gracious protection to serve God more and more faithfully every day.

  44. RANCHER says:

    The evil one is seizing every opportunity to attack the Church and its leadership both from within and without. There will be much more of this to come. A partial indicator of how the Pontiff is holding up will be found in how he deals with Pelosi at tomorrow’s “meeting”. My fervant prayer, and belief, at this point is that the Pope will not back down. If he tells Pelosi what she needs to be told there will be a strong message to his critics…not a message they will like but one which will tell them he is the Vicar of Christ on earth and a force to be reckoned with. As noted previously the battle lines are clearly drawn perhaps more than ever before in modern history. We all need to pray fervantly for strength for the Pope and for the good leaders of our Church—because some of the Bishops now openly critical of the Pope are clearly sucumbing to the devil.

    I think the Roman Catholic Church is going to become the religious version of the U S Marine Corps–smaller in number but solid, dependable, and loyal to the true teachings of the Church. Better fewer good ones than larger numbers of the Pelosi, Kennedy, Biden type.

  45. Hidden One says:

    habemus papam et ei tenere debebimus!

    oro et orabo.

  46. Jim says:

    The revolt facing the Holy Father is every bit as big a deal as the Arian heresy of the third and fourth centuries,
    and the iconoclastic controversy of the eight and ninth. The evil one never ceases to plant divisiveness within
    the Church. We must pray not only for the Holy Father, but for those bishops who are not in unity with him. I
    do believe this could be the beginning of a new schism within the Church. We must pray constantly that God’s will
    be done, and that the Church not be exposed to further division. But if it does, may the See of Peter prevail.

  47. TerryN says:

    Thanks Father – I will surely do so. “The Holy Father will have much to suffer” – Our Lady of Fatima – who knew it woould be even more pronounced in our day. It is very interesting that the Holy Father recently asked people to pray for the “bark of Peter”. He must indeed be the pope of the prophecy of John Bosco. Many prayers for him. God bless you for standing with him.

  48. Seminarian says:

    Thank you, Father, for this reminder to keep our Holy Father in our prayers. I will especially remember him in mine from now on.

    Also, if I could, I would like to ask everyone here to keep all priests and, in a particular way, us seminarians in your prayers. I know from experience that it is very easy to despair in the sight of the recent rise of the “liberal left” against our Holy Father and against Church teaching and doctrine in general. I for one find myself fighting constantly interiorly, in order not to lose hope. I would appreciate it if you would all pray for us who are preparing for the priesthood and want to be faithful to Sacred Tradition and the perennial teachings of the Catholic Faith: that we would never abandon our vocations and lose hope in the midst of what often appears to be an uphill battle.

    We all rely heavily on your prayers, and assure you of ours.

  49. Gloria says:

    The FSSP distributed a Novena for the Holy Father via email and we also got it through our parish email. English and Latin
    Our Father, 3 Hail marys, Glory be.
    V: Let us pray for our Pope Benedict.
    R. And upon this Rock, I will build My Church.
    Let us Pray,
    Almighty and everlasting God, have mercy upon your servant, Benedict, our Sovereign Pontiff, and tuide him in your goodness onthe way of eternal salvation; so that, with the prompting of your grace, he may desire what pleases you and accomplish it with all his strength. Through Christ Our Lord. R. Amen
    V. Mother of the Church R. Pray for us
    V. St. Peter. R. Pray for us.

    Pater Noster, 3 Ave Maria, Gloria Patri
    V. Oremus pro Pontifice nostro Benedicto.
    R. Dominus conservet eum, et vivificet eum, et beatum faciat eum in terra, et non tradat
    eum in animam inimicorum eius.
    V. Tu es Petrus.
    R. Et super hanc petram aedificabo Ecclesiam meam
    Oremus.
    Omnipotens sempiterne Deus, miserere famulo tuo Pontifici nostro Benedicto: et dirige eum secundum tuam clementiam in viam salutis aeternae: ut, te donante, tibi placita cupiat, et tota virtute perficiat. Per Christum Dominum nostrum. R. Amen.
    Mater Ecclesiae, ora pro nobis.
    Sancte Petre, ora pro nobis.

  50. Gloria says:

    Oops! Forgive the typos. I rushed.

  51. jamgreg says:

    I have read that the following quote is from an official Church approved apparition of Mary.

    “The work of the devil will infiltrate even into the Church in such a way that one will see cardinals opposing cardinals, bishops against bishops. The priests who venerate me will be scorned and opposed by their confreres; churches and altars will be sacked; the Church will be full of those who accept compromises and the demon will press many priests and consecrated souls to leave the service of the Lord.”

    From the third message of Our Lady of Akita on October 13, 1973

  52. Andreae says:

    I’ll offer my abstaining from meat on Wednesdays and Fridays for the safety, protection and well-being of the Holy Father. Viva il Papa.

  53. Mara Cafolla says:

    You cannot assume – none of us can – that the Holy Spirit is on whatever side of the Catholic debate that we prefer. Going back to your original post, we should ask for the Holy Spirit’s guidance. But it is folly to assume that that guidance will merely confirm and underscore an existing point of view. This holds for all of us, conservative Catholics and liberals alike.

    For what it’s worth, I believe that what is happening among German speaking Catholics is decisive for any second thoughts the Pope may be having over his previously held positions. I suspect that the various flurries in the Anglophone world don’t necessarily count for very much.

  54. Geremia says:

    Versicle and Response
    ?. Let us pray for our Pontiff Benedict.
    ?. The Lord preserve him, and give him life, and make him to be blessed upon the earth, and deliver him not up to the will of his enemies.
    Our Father, Hail Mary.

    ?. Orémus pro Pontífice nostro Benedicto.
    ?. Dóminus consérvet eum, et vivíficet eum, et beátum fáciat eum in terra, et non tradat eum in ánimam inimicórum eius.
    Pater, Ave.

    A Prayer
    O God, the Shepherd and Ruler of all Thy faithful people, mercifully look upon Thy servant Benedict, whom Thou hast chosen as the chief Shepherd to preside over Thy Church; grant him, we beseech Thee, so to edify, both by word and example, those over whom he hath charge, that he may attain unto everlasting life, together with the flock committed unto him. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

    Deus ómnium fidélium pastor et rector, fámulum tuum Benedictum, quem pastórem Ecclésiæ tuæ præésse voluísti, propítius réspice: da ei, qu?sumus, verbo et exémplo, quibus præest, profícere; ut ad vitam, una cum grege sibi crédito, pervéniat sempitérnam. Per Christum Dóminum nostrum. Amen

    A Prayer
    Almighty and everlasting God, have mercy upon Thy servant Benedict, our Supreme Pontiff, and direct him, according to Thy loving-kindness, in the way of eternal salvation; that, of Thy gift, he may ever desire that which is pleasing unto Thee and may accomplish it with all his might. Through Christ our Lord. Amen

    Omnípotens sempitérne Deus, miserére fámulo tuo Pontífici nostro Benedicto, et dírige eum secúndum tuam cleméntiam in viam salútis ætérnæ: ut, te donánte, tibi plácita cúpiat et tota virtúte perfíciat. Per Christum Dóminum nostrum. Amen

  55. Just wait for the reaction when he declares the dogma of the Co-Redemptrix.

  56. Fr.. Marie Paul,
    How do you know that the Dogma of the Co-Redemptorix will be declared by B16? Just curious.

  57. Rose says:

    Mara Cafolla: “what is happening among German-speaking bishops and German-speaking theologians” I think you mean.

  58. teresa says:

    Yes, Dear Father Zuhlsdorf, you are right.

    It is purely villainy. And they have cooperated with the Organization “Wir sind die Kirche”, which is a heretical movement whose goal is to dissolve the authority of our Holy Mother Church.

    They have also fed the press with lies.

    For example, on this Monday the press got the wrong information from the conspirators in Austria, that the Vatican has already accepted the resignation of Monsig. Wagner. But on the next day we got the official news from the Vatican, that the Holy Father hasn’t got to know about the resignation yet.

    And then we got the news from kath.net, that Monsig. Wagner was pushed by his own bishop to resign. But until now he hasn’t signed this resignation, and he is getting more emails urging him not to resign. Perhaps you people from the U.S.A. and all around the world could also write him some encouraging lines.

    He doesn’t have to resign.

    And all his parishioners have expressed great love and admiration for him.

    We, the global church members, should help him.

  59. This reminds me of the fatima prophecy that talks about the assasination of the Pope. In this case it may be a spiritual assasination.

  60. little gal says:

    For those who say that the Catholic left is the only problem, I offer the words of “Mons.” Fellay from a recent interview with Sion-based daily Le Nouvelliste, as reported by the AP:

    ‘Fellay said it would be difficult to reach doctrinal consensus with the pope.
    “Certainly one has the impression that he is near us on the question of the liturgy,” he said. “On the other hand, he is deeply attached to the new things of Vatican II.”

    http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/sns-ap-eu-switzerland-vatican-conservative,0,631733.story

    I suggest that we just pray for the Holy Father, that he be guided by the Holy Spirit to do God’s will whatever that is…

  61. Prof. Basto says:

    Teresa, what you write brings to mind what I read in Andrea Tornielli’s Blog (Sacri Palazzi):

    “Così hanno “suonato” Wagner

    Qualche dettaglio in più sulla delicatissima vicenda del vescovo ausiliare di Linz, dimissionario prima ancora di ricevere la consacrazione episcopale. Fonti ben accreditate mi confermano che la scelta di designarlo era stata presa per ovviare a un problema in diocesi, la crescente influenza dei gruppi di base (come “Noi siamo Chiesa”) e una certa evidente difficoltà del vescovo diocesano a tenere la barra a dritta. Se ora le dimissioni di Wagner saranno accettate – e nel caso siano irrevocabili, è ovviamente impossibile costringere l’interessato a rimanere – ci troveremo di fronte a un caso di revoca di una nomina episcopale sancita dalla pressione mediatica.”

  62. EJ says:

    Is this all final? The bishop-designate has asked the Holy Father to withdraw his appointment, but has the Pope accepted? Did Wagner have the right to withdraw?? Yes to obey would have meant tremendous suffering for him, but this is what he was being called to by the Pope. Sad to see Cardinal Schonborn’s hand in all this, he is not the neo-conservative golden boy that he is often depicted as.

    It all seems very grave to me, to reject the man selected by the Successor of Peter’s own will – it’s not the way us Catholics go about doing things. I recall the situation of the rejection of one of John Paul II’s appointments in Switzerland in the 1980 by either the local diocesan officals and the hierarchy, or both. The Pope wrote a very angry letter in which he thundered that “to reject a bishop is to reject Christ.” The whole matter is well-chronicles in George Weigel’s Witness to Hope, but despite inistance from the Vatican, in the end the Pope was forced to nominate someone more “moderate.” I agree with a commenter above, that this is the moment for the Pope to step up his game, both in Linz and in Westminster – can we afford any more “moderates?”

  63. memoriadei says:

    I have been praying for the Holy Father and all priests and a new harvest of holy priests for at least a year. But, I am committed to a daily Divine Mercy Chaplet and abstinence (except Sundays) all through Lent. From someone I was given a website…maybe from CurtJester….where one can sign up to be counted among those offering. If anyone has that website, please post it somewhere. I signed it but can’t remember where it was.

  64. Antonio says:

    An Austria bishop has come out in Fr Wagner’s defence.
    It’s in German:

    http://www.kath.net/detail.php?id=22144

  65. RBrown says:

    Is this all final? The bishop-designate has asked the Holy Father to withdraw his appointment, but has the Pope accepted? Did Wagner have the right to withdraw?? Yes to obey would have meant tremendous suffering for him, but this is what he was being called to by the Pope. Sad to see Cardinal Schonborn’s hand in all this, he is not the neo-conservative golden boy that he is often depicted as.
    Comment by EJ

    Card Schonborn is a good man, but he is weak.

    Underneath the very gracious, mild Ratzinger demeanor is someone with fire in his belly, someone who enjoys the challenge of battle. Not so with Schonborn.

  66. RBrown says:

    For the sake of smoothness:

    Underneath the very gracious, mild Ratzinger demeanor is a man with fire in his belly, someone who enjoys the challenge of battle. Not so with Schonborn.

  67. EJ says:

    RBrown – So comforting that he is such a “good person,” the world no doubt needs “good people” … but if he’s weak then he cannot be a good bishop. He is a brilliant and orthodox theologian for sure, just like the Archbishop of Washington is a brilliant and orthodox cathechist-bishop – they just cannot transfer their orthodoxy and their talents into concrete actions that will benefit their local churches. The words of the Blessed Mother at Akita cited above mentions a time when the bishops of the Church will be wiling to compromise. Very sad.

  68. Prof. Basto says:

    Rorate Caeli has sensational news: according to them, Austrian Catholic website Kath.net is reporting that Fr. Wagner has not yet signed the written document asking for the withdrawal of his appointment.
    ***********************
    “Austrian Catholic website Kath.net (see also Catholic Church Conservation) reports that Father Gerhard Wagner, appointed by the Pope Auxiliary Bishop of the second largest diocese in Austria, “has not yet signed the letter asking for the nomination to be withdrawn”. Kath.net also publishes an article today in which Bishop Andreas Laun, Auxiliary of Salzburg, concludes that Father Wagner cannot be considered “unsuitable” to be a Bishop – and certainly not because of his declarations.
    The silence from the Vatican is deafening. Compare this with the most famous recent resignation from an appointment, that of Archbishop Stanis?aw Wielgus before his installment as Metropolitan of Warsaw, a resignation reported by the Apostolic Nunciature in Poland and confirmed by the Holy See Press Office on the same day.”
    ***************************

    Now, if Fr. Wagner’s request for the withdrawal of his promotion has not yet been granted (or if it has not yet been formally submitted by him to the Vatican, as is now reported), I wonder, given that he was appointed, if he is still bound to receive the Episcopal Consacration in the timeframe set by canon 379 if his promotion is not rescinded by then.

    Canon 379 states:

    Can. 379 Unless he is prevented by a legitimate impediment, whoever has been promoted to the episcopacy must receive episcopal consecration within three months from the receipt of the apostolic letter and before he takes possession of his office.

    What is more, one has to suppose that Fr. Wagner had consented to his promotion before it was made public, so I wonder if his decision to ask for the cancellation of his promotion amounts to a resignation. If so, then wouldn’t the following canons apply?

    Can. 187 Anyone responsible for oneself (sui compos) can resign from an ecclesiastical office for a just cause .

    Can. 188 A resignation made out of grave fear that is inflicted unjustly or out of malice, substantial error, or simony is invalid by the law itself .

    Can. 189 §1. To be valid, a resignation, whether it requires acceptance or not, must be made to the authority to whom it pertains to make provision of the office in question; this must be done either in writing , or orally in the presence of two witnesses.

    §2. The authority is not to accept a resignation which is not based on a just and proportionate cause .

    §3. A resignation which requires acceptance lacks all force if it is not accepted within three months; one which does not require acceptance takes effect when it has been communicated by the one resigning according to the norm of law.

    §4. A resignation can be revoked by the one resigning as long as it has not taken effect ; once it has taken effect it cannot be revoked, but the one who resigned can obtain the office by some other title.
    *************
    This also brings to mind the claims that there are people in the Vatican who (thank God) want to see this resignation/request for withdrawal of appointment, rejected.

  69. RBrown says:

    So comforting that he is such a “good person,” the world no doubt needs “good people” … but if he’s weak then he cannot be a good bishop.

    I said that he is a good man–I never said that he is a good bishop. I thought that anyone with an ounce of sense would immediately know what I was saying without jumping up, waving a sword, and protesting.

    He is a brilliant and orthodox theologian for sure, just like the Archbishop of Washington is a brilliant and orthodox cathechist-bishop – they just cannot transfer their orthodoxy and their talents into concrete actions that will benefit their local churches. The words of the Blessed Mother at Akita cited above mentions a time when the bishops of the Church will be wiling to compromise. Very sad.
    Comment by EJ

    I never said that he is brilliant, and I certainly wouldn’t say it of the Arch of DC.

    I think there’s much too much talk in the Church about so and so being brilliant.

  70. irishgirl says:

    I pray my Rosary everyday for the Holy Father.

    And I’ll offer the sufferings I’m going through right now for him, that he will prevail against his enemies.

  71. RP Burke says:

    Let us all pray that the pope be inspired, and that he ignore crazy people who tell him what to do.

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