The rejection of Christ as King over the Nation and State is at the heart of the civilizational crisis

 

Pope Pius XI

 Today marks Pius XI's "forgotten" encyclical on Christ the King, Quas Primas. It was forgotten by the vast majority of prelates in the 1920s and the faithful, for they had already become corrupted, and wanted to go along to get along with liberalism. Here, in North America, we had the disgrace of Americanist bishops in the last century working might and main to obfuscate the Syllabus of Errors and proclaim that they could be good Catholics yet adhere to masonic ideals that permeated the foundations of the United States (and which, as we are living through, her eventual ruin, for that which is not founded on truth cannot survive). Likewise in Canada we are now living the results of 150 years of knee-taking to masonic ideals, as exemplified in the betrayal of preaching the Gospels amongst the Natives, to joining with the State to "Canadianize" Indians. 

In contrast to these two cowardly examples of bishops more or less placing themselves under the "whim of princes and rulers" (Pius XI), the local Catholic Church is neutered, disgraced, mocked by the non-believers, and the Gospel trampled underfoot by the continuation of these wicked policies who have become de facto gallican "churches" run by the unworthy succeeding cowards who have occupied far too many episcopal thrones over the past two centuries. The result of ineffectual and disastrous leadership by these men has brought the Catholic Church in North America to near ruin. It would be into this effete North American gallacinized "church" that European modernist poison would be injected (and eagerly taken up), along with massive infiltration by communists, and in their wake, homosexuals - who, alas, dominate clerical ranks. The result is a near universal decadent and corrupt hierarchy; compromised (probably blackmailed as well), dominated by the State

 We now see, dear friends, the result of infidelity to the Gospel. Complete ruin. The great Pius XI was ignored (just as Gregory XVI, Pius IX, Leo XIII, Benedict XV, and Pius X were), and the road to complete collapse was inevitable. No doubt, "modern" men in their day must have been horrified when Gregory XVI denounced unrestrained "freedom of the press", or Pius IX's admonition that the Pope CANNOT adapt himself to liberalism, or Leo XIII's warning to Americans that the American way is not the ideal way. So we jump forward a few decades to Pius XI's continual warnings that Christian civilization was tottering to her ruin if NOT founded on Our Lord AND His Church. Modern Man has chosen otherwise, and the fruit is there for all to see. 

 Friends, stay with the Church: is is a pathetic excuse to leave the Mystical Body because She has been seemingly overrun by evil prelates. Men, who rather than preaching restoration of ALL things in Christ, prefer "resetting" all things in Satan. For where Christ is not found, Satan will be there. That is why the "smoke of Satan" entered the Church. The churchmen were kicking Christ out, so He left. Let us at least welcome Him into our hearts, praying that these evil men repent. We are NOT going to be saved by princes, politicians, presidents, businessmen or any other "saviour". Get that once and for all out of your mind. The Shepherd is struck, the sheep are scattered.

From Pius XI's Quas Primas, establishing the Feast of Christ the King: 

We ordain that the whole Catholic world shall revere Christ as King, We shall minister to the need of the present day, and at the same time provide an excellent remedy for the plague which now infects society. We refer to the plague of anti-clericalism, its errors and impious activities. This evil spirit, as you are well aware, Venerable Brethren, has not come into being in one day; it has long lurked beneath the surface. The empire of Christ over all nations was rejected. The right which the Church has from Christ himself, to teach mankind, to make laws, to govern peoples in all that pertains to their eternal salvation, that right was denied. Then gradually the religion of Christ came to be likened to false religions and to be placed ignominiously on the same level with them. [religious liberty]

 

It was then put under the power of the state and tolerated more or less at the whim of princes and rulers. [protestant tyranny] Some men went even further, and wished to set up in the place of God's religion a natural religion [Freemasonry, humanism] consisting in some instinctive affection of the heart. There were even some nations who thought they could dispense with God [Bolshevism], and that their religion should consist in impiety and the neglect of God. 

 

The rebellion of individuals and states against the authority of Christ has produced deplorable consequences. We lamented these in the Encyclical Ubi arcano; we lament them today: the seeds of discord sown far and wide; those bitter enmities and rivalries between nations, which still hinder so much the cause of peace; that insatiable greed which is so often hidden under a pretense of public spirit and patriotism, and gives rise to so many private quarrels; a blind and immoderate selfishness, making men seek nothing but their own comfort and advantage, and measure everything by these; no peace in the home, because men have forgotten or neglect their duty; the unity and stability of the family undermined; society in a word, shaken to its foundations and on the way to ruin. We firmly hope, however, that the feast of the Kingship of Christ, which in future will be yearly observed, may hasten the return of society to our loving Savior. 

It would be the duty of Catholics to do all they can to bring about this happy result. Many of these, however, have neither the station in society nor the authority which should belong to those who bear the torch of truth. This state of things may perhaps be attributed to a certain slowness and timidity in good people, who are reluctant to engage in conflict or oppose but a weak resistance; thus the enemies of the Church become bolder in their attacks. But if the faithful were generally to understand that it behooves them ever to fight courageously under the banner of Christ their King, then, fired with apostolic zeal, they would strive to win over to their Lord those hearts that are bitter and estranged from him, and would valiantly defend his rights....While nations insult the beloved name of our Redeemer by suppressing all mention of it in their conferences and parliaments, [religious indifferentism] we must all the more loudly proclaim his kingly dignity and power, all the more universally affirm his rights.

"The foolish things of the world hath God chosen, that he may confound the wise..." (1 Cor. 1.27)

In honour of today's feast of the Apostles Sts. Simon and Jude, celebrated each year on October 28th, we provide this short reflection from Bishop Challoner (1691 - 1781).

Consider first, the wonders of God in these and in all the rest of the apostles, whom he raised up as it were from the earth and from the dunghill, and made princes of his people. 'The foolish things of the world hath God chosen,' saith St. Paul, 1 Cor. 1. 27, 28, 29, 'that he may confound the wise: and the weak things of the world hath God chosen that he may confound the strong; and the base things of the world and the things that are contemptible hath God chosen, that no flesh should glory in his sight.' The Apostles, when they were chosen by Christ, were poor and contemptible in the eyes of the world; they were ignorant and illiterate; they had no power, credit, or interest to recommend them; nor any one of those qualities which the world is fond of to make them shine in the eyes of men; and yet they are preferred by the wisdom of God before all the wise, rich, eloquent, learned, noble, or great ones of this world, as most fit to be his instruments in this great work of the conversion of the world, and best qualified, by their simplicity and humility, to show forth his glory. Adore here, my soul, the wonderful ways of God, and learn to prefer with him the things that this world despises, before all its false grandeur, deceitful appearances, and ostentation of wisdom.

Consider 2ndly, the eminent dignity to which the apostles were raised by our Lord: they were made his disciples, his individual companions, his familiar friends and confidants - yea, his brethren too, John xx. 17; they were made under him the chief priests of the New Testament, the first bishops and pastors of his church, the prime ministers of his kingdom, the stewards and dispensers of all his mysteries; his ambassadors to men; his vicegerents upon earth; the doctors and teachers of the whole world; and next after him, who is the chief corner-stone, the twelve foundations of his church, Eph. ii. 20 - yea, the twelve foundations of the heavenly Jerusalem, Apoc. xxi. 14. Reflect also on the distinguishing graces, and the excellency of power which our Lord conferred upon them, suitable to their great office and callings; such as the power of consecrating and of offering in sacrifice his sacred body and blood; of remitting sins; and of opening or shutting heaven's gates to men; the commission of feeding his flock, and of ruling and directing his church, with the promise of the Holy Ghost to assist them therein; the authority of publishing throughout the whole world his new law, the law of grace; and the covenant of salvation through him, & c.: besides the gifts of tongues, and prophecy, and other eminent graces of the Holy Ghost; and a power of working all kind of miracles, yea, even greater than those of Christ himself, St. John xiv. 12. Christians, bless your Saviour on the festivals of the apostles, for all these great things he has done for them, and through them for his church in general, and in some degree for every one of you in particular. For as they were, under Christ, the fathers and founders of the Christian religion, so from them, and through their ministry, the faith, the word, the sacraments, the graces of Christ, and all spiritual goods and treasures are derived down to your souls by the channel of their successors in the church of Christ.

Consider 3rdly, the eminent sanctity of the apostles; on account of which they have been so highly honoured by all succeeding generations in the Christian church. They received great graces, and they faithfully cooperated with these graces. At the first call they left all things else to follow Christ, and as he bears them witness, Luke xx. 28, they remained with him in his temptations. They were indefatigable in their labours for the propagation of his kingdom, and for the salvation of souls; their zeal and courage were invincible; their love for him was stronger than death; they were ready to meet death in every shape for his glory; they even rejoiced that they were esteemed worthy to suffer for his name. In a word, they were perfect in an eminent degree in all virtues. By their preaching and labours, by their doctrine and miracles, by their sufferings and death, they planted the faith and church of Christ throughout the world; but nothing contributed more to this great work than the sanctity of their lives: by the help of which, as well as by the fervour and efficacy of their prayers, they effectually established virtue religion, and Christian perfection in every place where they came, upon the ruins of infidelity and vice; and left behind them a succession of saints, as the fruits of their labours, which have been kept up ever since in the true church of Christ, according to that of their divine master, John xv. 16, 'I have appointed you that you should go, and should bring forth fruit, and your fruit should remain.'

Conclude to celebrate with a particular devotion the festivals of the apostles, as the most eminent amongst the favourites of God, and the fathers of the other saints. Glorify God, who is wonderful in all his saints, for the extraordinary wonders he has wrought in them and through them, and to that eternal glory to which he has raised them. But study also to learn the great lessons they perpetually taught, both by word and work, and to aim with all your power at an imitation of their virtues and sanctity.

Pange Lingua Gloriosi

No Greater Love

"This is the greatest love a man can shew, that he should lay down his life for his friends, and you, if you do all that I command you, are my friends." (John 15: 13-14)