"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)

"Are they not all ministering spirits, sent to minister for them, who shall receive the inheritance of salvation?" (Heb. 1.14)

Today is Michaelmas Day, upon which Holy Mother Church remembers in Her Liturgy St. Michael the Archangel. St. Michael is considered to be the greatest of the Archangels, and led the Heavenly Battle against Lucifer so long ago. St. Michael is the patron and guardian of the Archdiocese of Toronto. We offer the following meditation from Bishop Challoner (1691 - 1781).

Consider first, that on this day the church of God celebrates the festival of St. Michael, and all the heavenly host of angels and Archangels, cherubim and seraphim, and the rest of the orders of blessed spirits. Wherefore the devotion of this day is, first to join with all these heavenly choirs in giving praise, glory, and thanksgiving to God, who created these angelic spirits, to glorify him and who has inspired them all with an unspeakable love for us, and has sent them to minister for us, in order to our receiving the inheritance of salvation, Heb. i. 14. 2ndly, we ought on this day to congratulate with these heavenly citizens and their great leader, St. Michael; these friends of God and of ours; and to rejoice in their eternal happiness. 3rdly, we ought to associate ourselves with them, in order jointly to promote the common cause of our common master; that is, the greater glory of God, and the advancement of his divine service and love; and with them to fight his battles against the devil and his rebel angels. O Christians, how happy, how glorious is this cause, in which both we and they are engaged! And how advantageous is it for us to have such auxiliaries in this great warfare.

Consider 2ndly, what lessons we have to learn, from the behaviour of these blessed spirits, from the first moment of their creation, and what we are to imitate in them. They no sooner received their being, but they turned to their creator, by adoration and love, and dedicated themselves eternally to him. We are made for the same end as they were; that is, to glorify God, and like them we are strictly obliged to turn to our creator as soon as we are capable of knowing him, and to dedicate our whole being to his love and service. But have we done so? Have we not rather, like Lucifer and his associates, turned away from God at our first coming to the use of reason, and preferred every empty toy before him? The good angels are perpetually attentive to God - wheresoever they are, or whatever they are about, their eye and their heart is always upon him; they are perpetually jealous of his honour, and ever labouring to procure, not their own glory, but the glory of their great king. Do we imitate them? Is the eye of our soul turned towards God in all our employments? Are we always seeking his greater glory? If so, like the angels, wheresoever we are and whatsoever we are doing, we shall in some measure have heaven with us, even here upon earth.

Consider 3rdly, form the gospel of this day, St. Matt. xvii., what kind of exercises of virtue are to bring us effectually to the eternal society of the angels. We must be converted from the corruption of pride, which cast the devil out of heaven, and become as little children, by innocence and humility, or we shall have no share with the good angels in the kingdom of heaven. There is no room for pride in that blessed society - 'the devil is the king over all the children of pride,' Job xli. 25. There is no room there for any that wilfully associate themselves with the rebels, that have been cast out from thence, by corrupting others, or suffering themselves to be corrupted and drawn away from their allegiance, by giving or taking scandal against their own souls. The true way to arrive at the happy company of the angels is by humility, innocence, and purity. If we would come amongst them, we must 'cleanse ourselves from all defilement of the flesh, and of the spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God,' 2 Cor. vii. 1. 'For nothing that is defiled shall enter into that blessed city, where they dwell for ever,' Rev. xxi. 27.

Conclude so to honour St. Michael and all the good angels as to imitate their fidelity to their God, their constant attention to promote his glory, and their constant opposition to all the enterprises of his enemy. The name of Michael signifies, who is like God. Let this be your motto in all your spiritual warfare - at all times keep close to God, and he will keep close to you; prefer his honour before all other considerations, and he will speedily crush Satan under your feet; yea, he will enable you to 'walk upon the asp, and upon the basilisk, and to tread upon the lion and the dragon,' Ps. xc., and nothing shall have power to hurt you.

Cardinal Collins: "We have NO King but Caesar" ~ ALL priests, employees, volunteers are now under STATE control

                             Raising his hands Cardinal Collins  declares:"I SURRENDER"                                                                                                                    

 "WE HAVE NO KING BUT CAESAR" is the operative phrase in the dimly lit chambers of the chancery of the Archdiocese of Toronto.

Yesterday, September 24th 2021, Cardinal Collins of Toronto in his Letter of September 24 and Covid Vaccination Policy de facto placed the Church in Toronto under the complete control of the State. 

This is what happens after years of allowing corruption to fester in the local Church.

This is what happens after years of allowing the local Church to be run by bureaucrats and moneybags. 

This is what happens when the local bishop is CEO of a corporation.  

 To read the Letter and Policy and for a complete analysis, please visit Vox Cantoris. Let us now review how Collins has surrendered the Church to State control. Collins sets the stage by admitting:

restrictions...remain in place especially those that impede our ability to welcome full and active participation in our sacramental celebrations. 

Rather than resist, he implicitly concedes complete State control over the Church by writing the following: 

We are heartened to see that the provincial government has not required proof of vaccination to enter a place of worship.

No mention that any such "requirement" would be against God's Law, the Natural Law, and civilly, unconstitutional  and a violation of the Charter. No mention that banning Catholics from churches would be opposed. And why would he? He didn't  say "NO, we will continue to distribute Holy Communion on the tongue" when threatened by the militantly pro-abortion public health of Toronto. And he remained silent in the face of keeping liquor and beer stores wide open, but churches firmly locked up. This is not leadership, this is cowardice.

A glum looking Cardinal Collins after announcing that if he does not "obey" Toronto Public Health they will suppress ALL the Sacraments

 

Last year Catholics became aware that he handed over actual control over the distribution of the Most Holy Eucharist to Toronto City Council's pro-abortion public health "authorities". The Cardinal claimed that he was bullied and his  excuse was if he did not obey, they'd suppress ALL the Sacraments. In surrendering he also CEASED being the local supreme legislator in the Archdiocese in matters liturgical. That now belongs to Toronto Public Health. A Public Health when not busy determining how the Catholic Mass is to be said, is busing itself with promoting perverted sex.

Friends, the Mass is now a State sanctioned and approved Mass. Get that through your head. 

Mass attendance is State controlled. Get that through your head. 

Priests, employees, and volunteers, are now under State control. Get that through your head!

We also learnt yesterday that Collins has decreed that every unvaccinated parish employee and volunteer MUST undergo weekly (at minimum) testing at THEIR expense. EACH test is pegged at $40! Noncompliance with this edict will result in be dismissal and/or relieved of their duties. They will be cast in outer darkness as a leper. Despicable! This from the same Cardinal who eagerly took taxpayers money (which I strongly opposed, suggesting the Archdiocese divest itself of some of the hundreds of millions in investments it has) last year to pay employees to sit home during the lock downs; eager to show he was compliant and ever so thankful to Caesar's largesse. Needless to say, there was NO money for destroyed or crippled Catholic small business, for families forced into poverty. I hope the employees have come to realize that they are but pawns in the very nasty business of playing the harlot for Caesar.  

For a FULL analysis and expose of this coercive and deceitful policy please visit Vox Cantoris. It is more outrageous than you think! So much for caring for the poor and the downtrodden. So much for the "art of accompaniment". Think about these employees and volunteers who have been cast into outer darkness the next time these repulsive hypocrites start up their phony "Share Life" campaign to take your money.

Even priests in their daily ministry are NOT spared. In fact, Collins explicitly declares them as STATE EMPLOYEES. The Cardinal wrote:

Where PROVINCIAL LEGISLATION...prohibit unvaccinated clergy   (and others) from attending or    performing certain duties...clergy who have not provided proof of vaccination will need to make arrangement with other clergy...to carry out their PASTORAL MINISTRIES. 

To priests, sisters, and religious he also admitted:

Due to REQUIREMENTS from the PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT...your ability to serve the faithful will be SIGNIFICANTLY IMPEDED...

 

 Pray the Cardinal repent and stand up to the State that oppresses our Catholic brothers and sisters. The last time I checked, he had large images of Sts John Fisher and Thomas More in his Office. They would oppose ANY attempts by the State to take over the Church.  And what would Chesterton (whom Collins delights in quoting) think of a bishop who has surrendered the Church to be squeezed in the anvil of the State and Big Business?

"Like any man, he was coward enough to fear great force; 

but he was not quite coward enough to admire it". 

 

Will that be Cardinal Collins' epitaph?

Bishop of Moncton has BANNED Catholics from receiving the SACRAMENTS! Those who are unvaccinated or refuse to reveal their private medical history are now placed under an interdict

High risk for serious COVID, the terrified and very unhealthy Bishop of Moncton wants to inoculate young, healthy Catholics.

Until the infamous day of Saturday, September 18, 2021, most Catholics had not heard of Valery Vienneau, the Bishop of Moncton. No more. Last Saturday, he issued an edict that de facto BANS (hence an interdict by any other word) all Catholics who are either un-vaccinated or refuse to disclose their private medical history.

This man has taken upon himself to impose control over the bodily autonomy of Catholics. But he goes further in his wicked ways. He even seemingly includes those of youth and children. I suggest that this 73 year old (though he looks MUCH older), unhealthy bishop should be more concerned about those in his cohort: obese, and with multiple comorbidities. Let him concern himself with his own high risk group and leave the healthy alone. 

 

In this, he seems to mirror the same very unhealthy cohort in the Vatican, who have just taken to banning Catholics who refuse to disclose their private medical information from Vatican City.

 

 

I urge Catholics to visit Vox Cantoris to read carefully Vienneau's evil edict. It is far more than just locking Catholics out of their churches for Mass. They will come to the following conclusions: 

 

He has BANNED  Baptism, which is necessary for salvation.

He has BANNED children and converts from First Holy Communion, 

He has BANNED youth, and converts from receiving Confirmation.

He has BANNED men and women from Marriage.

He has BANNED families from Funerals of their loved ones.

 

For the time being, there is no mention in his edict about the reception of Extreme Unction. We must hopefully conclude that (for the present?), he has not ordered priests to stop administering that Sacrament to the ill or dying.  

As an interesting juxtaposition, there is NO ban from receiving Holy Communion and Mass from pro-abortion "Catholics", or those openly living in sinful "unions" who have been inoculated. One sees that this bishop's religion is what has been called "sociological Christianity".

As such, what are we to conclude about a man who has turned his back on not only Canon Law, but has joined the secular government in violating civil liberties that are enjoined as part of the Natural Law? But it goes further: the man has violated Divine Law. We must conclude that Vienneau has discarded his bishop's mitre and now only wears the business suit of the "Roman Catholic Episcopal Corporation Ltd". For indeed, as the sole proprietor of a business and owner of the property, he does have a legal right to decide who can and who cannot gain access to his property. In this, we are glad that the curtain is raised exposing him as a government lackey, who has cast aside any pretense of being an apostle, a bishop of the Mystical Body of Christ, a Shepherd who is to feed the sheep with Divine Food.

This then, is the vomitous reality of the local Church in Moncton as a "field hospital" and "accompanying" the faithful. 

May this man repent of the great evil he has committed. If he does not, and continues in his evil ways, we must denounce  and expose him following the great Prophets and Saints. Not because we make claim to holiness, but because the evil is manifest, diabolical, and we but follow Micah, Jeremiah, Isaiah, St. Paul, St. Jude, St. Augustine, St. John Chrysostom...in denouncing (with THEIR own words and actions) false wolves who would enter the vineyard of the Lord to pillage and plunder. 

Friends, in this great, dark hour, let us continue WITHOUT CEASING to hold fast to Holy Mother Church, even while she is being raped by the very men who should be ministering and serving Her. Whatever evil these men throw our way, may we NEVER abandon Her. May we, stay by her side, caring and bathing Her open, stinking wounds (inflicted by these false "physicians"). May we remain at the foot of the Cross. 

Holy Women of Jerusalem, pray for us.

Surviving Father of Canada's Charter of Rights and Freedoms CONDEMNS Vaccines Mandates ~ Premier Brian Peckford speaks out !

 

 

Dear Canadian readers: if there is one thing you do before you vote, I would urge you to watch this video. I urge you to share it. Here we have the only surviving architect of Canada's Charter of Rights and Freedoms, former Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, stating that he is horrified that the federal government, and ALL the provinces have violated the Charter.

This video is gravely disturbing, as Peckford not only reflects on the dangers before Canada, but before the entire so-called '"West". Peckford highlights the moral corruption in this country that has led to this tragic state of affairs. He calls out a corrupt legal system, medical establishment, big business, government, media, and academia. We, as discerning Catholics, can add: a corrupt church. Peckford also touches upon "facts" and their absolute value for truth. 

He speaks of his years in Office being surrounded by ineffectual, cowardly, ignorant politicians and cabinet ministers, easily manipulated. He has choice words for Doug Ford.  

He references Bacon regarding the sacredness of "facts". Interestingly, Ratzinger, in "An Introduction to Christianity", wrote back in 1969 that "facts" were being twisted to whatever we wished to be, and that a moral crisis was arising. "Facts" were no longer sacred, to be discovered, rather, they have been perverted into what we wish to make of them. In other words, reality is subjective. Or, if held by a powerful corrupt elite, fiction can be made into "facts". 

Which brings me to my most disturbing conclusion. How is it that Premier Peckford can see the corruption, identify it, but our churchmen cannot? 

How is it that they, the watchmen on the tower, are failing to not only sound the alarm, but actually joining in the advance of a techno-authoritarian State? 

I do not know if Premier Peckford is a practicing Christian, but I contrast his view that the medical establishment are corrupt un-elected technocrats stripping us of our Charter rights, to that of Cardinal Collins who refers to them as "very virtuous". Premier Peckford sees our rights being stripped, the bishops of Canada do not. Further they not only sit silent, but approve of these violations.

Friends, the leaders of the Catholic Church in Canada have betrayed not only us, but every citizen. For here are dealing with matters of natural Law that is ingrained on every man's heart: be he Jew or Greek, male or female, slave or freeman. (and yes, if you have been thrust into unemployment by a lock down, you are de facto a slave).

"...Now is the judgement of the world, now shall the prince of this world be cast out."

On this glorious Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, we offer another meditation from Bishop Challoner.

Consider first, that on this day, upon occasion of the recovery of the cross of Christ out of the hands of infidels, and the triumphant setting it up again in its place in the church of Mount Calvary, the church of God celebrates the exaltation of him that died for us upon the cross, and his glorious triumph over sin and death, and over all the powers of hell and in consequence thereof the establishment of his kingdom, by which he reigns by grace at present in the souls of all his servants throughout the world, and shall reign in them for all eternity hereafter in glory. according to that of St. John xii. 31, 32, spoken with relation to his victory on the cross, 'Now is the judgment' (that is, the condemnation,) 'of the world, now shall the prince of this world' (the devil) 'be cast out.' 'And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all things to myself.' Rejoice, O my soul, in the triumph of thy crucified king, and beg that he would establish his reign in thee, and draw up thy heart from this wretched earth and unite it for ever to himself.

Consider 2ndly, that the dispositions of a Christian, in order to celebrate in a proper manner the feast of the exaltation of the cross, ought to be suitable to the maxims of the cross, and to the dispositions of Christ crucified. Dispositions of standing off from the pride, ambition, avarice, and vanity of the world, condemned by the poverty and humility of the cross; as also from the love of sensual and worldly pleasures, condemned by the mortification of the cross. Dispositions of taking up our crosses and following our crucified king, even to the death of the cross. Dispositions of waging a perpetual war against that triple concupiscence, which separates worldlings from the cross of Christ, viz., the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life; till dying to the world and to ourselves, we be lifted up with Christ from the earth; crucified to the world, and the world to us; and thus being entitled to a share in his exaltation and triumphs. But, O my soul, how unfit are we to celebrate the victories of our crucified king over death, sin, and hell; whilst we by pride, self-love, and the love of the world wilfully remain slaves to those same enemies, whose usurpation he sought to abolish by his death!

Consider 3rdly, the sentiments of St. Paul with relation to the cross of Christ, Gal. ii. 19, 20, 'With Christ I am nailed to the cross.' 'And I live, now not I, but Christ liveth in me; who loved me and delivered himself for me.' Chap. vi. 14: 'God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified to me, and I to the world!' He tells the Corinthians, 1 Cor. ii. 2, 'that he judged not himself to know anything among them but Jesus Christ, and him crucified.' and chap. i. 23, 24, that he preached nothing but 'Christ crucified a stumbling-block to the Jews, and foolishness to the Gentiles; but to the true believers the power of God, and the wisdom of God.' He proposes his own conduct as a model to the Philippians, Philip. iii. 17, 18, and warns them with tears, against all sensual and earthly-minded Christians, whom he calls enemies of the cross of Christ. Oh, how high was the cross of Christ exalted in the heart of the apostle! It reigned there without control. And as it was exalted in him by love and esteem, so it exalted him here to the glorious fellowship of the sufferings of Christ crucified; and hereafter to that eternal kingdom which our Lord has purchased by his cross, for all the true friends and followers of the cross. O how happy are all they, that, like the apostle, are sincere lovers of the cross of Christ!

Conclude for thy own practice to honour the triumphs of thy crucified king, by planting thyself at the foot of his cross, and there constantly attend to him, and study well the lessons he teaches thee from his cross, and enter into all his sentiments. He will teach thee to submit to thy crosses with patience, to undergo them with cheerfulness, yea, to embrace them with joy. He will undeceive thee, with regard to the false maxims of worldly pride, of the love of riches, and of sensual pleasures; and from his cross will preach to thee his truths, and discover to thee the lovely charms that are found in humility, poverty of spirit, contempt of the world, and mortification of the flesh. His cross is the school in which he will teach thee all good, and from which he will not cease to communicate to thee all grace, till at length he draws thee to himself, and makes thee his own for ever.