Catholic Voice 18th December 2020 Issue 306

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Issue 306

“Fear Not; For, Behold, I Bring You Good Tidings Of Great Joy, That Shall Be To All The People: For, This Day, Is Born To You A Saviour, Who Is Christ The Lord, In The City Of David.

And This SHall Be A Sign Unto You. You Shall Find The Infant Wrapped In Swaddling Clothes, And Laid In A Manger. (Luke 2:10-12)

Keep up to date with CatholicVoice news and articles via The Lumen Fidei Website www.lumenfidei.ie

2 EDITORIAL

Catholic Voice

18th December 2020

Let Us Continue Ireland’s Devotion To The Holy Mass have been and how easily they surrendered their liberty placing their trust in a group of scientists and politicians far removed from the daily reality of ordinary life.

We will be paying the price for the actions of this elite group for many generations to come.

Equally alarming has been the eagerness with which some are ready to snoop and snitch on neighbours who refuse to be taken in by the “new normal”.

Anthony Murphy As we prepare to celebrate the great joy of Christmas let us pause to reflect on a difficult and often disturbing year. Since the lockdown began it has been very clear that our politicians have very little regard for our Christian faith. The unnecessary restrictions on public worship were imposed with a ruthless efficiency which would have turned Stalin green with envy.

Ironically while the political class were once lamenting the unlikely return of Brexit checkpoints on the border, they were to impose checkpoints on what seemed like every street corner with armed Garda asking intrusive questions and putting us all under house arrest. Though the restrictions are beginning to ease there is the ever present threat of a return in the New Year with the expectation the plebs will once again follow the party line.

Perhaps the most alarming aspect of all this is how readily compliant large swathes of the population

CatholicVoice

Editor: Anthony Murphy editor@catholicvoice.ie Telephone: 059 8627268 ROI 00353 59 8627268 Outside ROI Keep up to date with news and articles via The Lumen Fidei website www.lumenfidei.ie

Politicians enjoy power, their whole being is geared towards achieving power and once there remaining there - it will therefore be interesting to see how easily they give us back our liberty when the threat of this Chinese virus has gone.

The restrictions have also exposed the sad state of the Catholic Church in Ireland and the UK - rather than challenge the restrictions most of our bishops were not only quick to throw in the towel but some were openly critical of Catholics who wished to receive the sacraments.

As readers will know John Lacken and myself wrote to every bishop in Ireland asking for the sacraments to be reinstated the responses have either been neutral or openly critical, one archbishop accused us of being aggressive and belligerent for having the temerity to make the request in the first place - get back in your box troublesome laity!

The leadership team of the Association of Catholic Priests issued a response to the lifting of restrictions in which they revealed they were opposed to offering public Mass on Christmas Day: “This is a time for reflection by all concerned: for placing safety and science as our top priority; for estimating the value of a token Mass if it might endanger health or life itself; for recognising the reservations of NPHET in regard to gatherings around churches; and, not least, for challenging

churchgoers who rightly long for and who will miss their traditional Christmas rituals by asking them to sacrifice them for this one year for their own and the community’s health and safety.

Having a public Mass in every church in every parish may be a price too high to pay. In present circumstances we need to err on the side of caution and wisdom.”

A token Mass? Science as our top priority? Do they believe at all?

This is a truly shocking statement and hopefully not representative of their wider membership.

One thing is clear - if the government try to reimpose restrictions and once again ban public worship their will be little resistance from our bishops and many priests. Therefore we the people must be the ones to lead civil disobedience and we must begin to organise ourselves to do so.

In France, Bishop Ginoux of Montauban has suggested a way forward, urging the faithful to show up for Mass. “It’s easy to ask bishops to take the lead if no one stands behind them,” he reasons; “invade the churches at Mass times, ask for the Mass and bishops and priests will come to celebrate it.”

That sounds like a good start and with some planning it should be possible to find a network of faithful priests who would cooperate with such a venture. Then we, the lay faithful could assemble at the appointed time, and wait — and pray — for a willing priest.

Let us pray we do not see a return to the restrictions but let us also ready ourselves in case we do - if you would be interested in taking part in such an operation please contact John Lacken - secretary@ lumenfidei.ie and we can start to build a network.

Let me close by thanking everyone who has helped keep the show on

18th December 2020 Catholic Voice the road throughout 2020. It has been tough year for all sorts of reasons but thanks to the generosity of our readers we have managed to continue publishing in very difficult circumstances. I wish you and your families a blessed and holy Christmas filled with Christian joy.

EDITORIAL 3

Christ Has Overcome The World These things have I spoken to you, that you may not be scandalized.

They will put you out of the synagogues: yea, the hour comes, that whosoever kills you, will think that he does a service to God. And these things will they do to you; because they have not known the Father, nor me.

But these things I have told you, that when the hour shall come, you may remember that I told you of them.

Behold, the hour cometh, and it is now come, that you shall be scattered every man to his own, and shall leave me alone; and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me.

These things I have spoken to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you shall have distress: but have confidence, I have overcome the world.

Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament, O’Connell Bridge Dublin 1932

(John 16:1-4, 32-33)

C a t h o l i c Vo i c e We Would like to Thank all our readers, advertisers, contributors, promoters and stockists for your support during this challenging year and We Wish all of you a blessed Christmas and a New Year full of heavenly grace.

4 LOST SHEPHERDS

Catholic Voice

18th December 2020

What To Do When Shepherds Don’t Shepherd Carrie Gress

A couple of years ago, my husband and I had dinner with a wonderful bishop at a trendy restaurant. It was the first time I recall actually sensing just how out of favour bishops are in an urban setting. Between Ex-Cardinal McCarrick in the news and the seeming triumph of the LGTB movement, my husband and I confided to each other afterward that it was the first time we could have imagined a restaurant doing something unsavoury to our food because of our guest in black with a pectoral cross.

There was a time, not too long ago, when it was a big deal for a cardinal or bishop to appear on TV, bringing the moral authority of the Church into our living rooms, like Archbishop Fulton Sheen.

Those days are now gone, even though internet streaming makes it possible for them to be almost ubiquitous. What is sad, ironically, is not the bishops’ missing presence, but their missing authority. Yes, they still have clout among many in their flocks -- like a celebrity cousin in the family -- but their teaching authority has lost much of its previous heft. While numerous bishops are holy and steadfast, some simply reflect the popular culture and its vices rather than champion the infallible teaching of Christ and his Magisterium.

Fr. Peter Rookey, Miracle Prayer, and Healing Cloths

The absence of leadership in some of our shepherds is a continual wound for many. “These are our shepherds! Why won’t they lead? What are they doing?” But this wound doesn’t have to continue to bleed. We have two things we can do.

The first thing we can do is change ourselves. Rather than being mired in anger and dismay, we can adjust our expectations. We can recognise that, perhaps, some of these men are simply incapable of leading well because of vice, sin, human weakness, cultural mores, and, yes, demonic influence. They are targeted precisely because they are heads of the Church, which doesn’t absolve sin, but it does explain that perhaps they have a larger heaping of demonic attacks than the rest of us.

Changing our expectations has a hidden benefit - it frees us emotionally from carrying the weight of scandal. It frees us to lift them up to Jesus, offering them back to him in expectation that he can--and will--do something. We are free from the anticipation of that magical moment when the weakest among them figure out how to be the shepherds we want.

The second thing we can and we must do is pray and sacrifice for these men. Ardently, fervently, consistently, and constantly. Not just a passing thought, but serious prayer and sacrifice. “But they don’t deserve it,” might be an objection. Exactly. None of us deserve Christ’s love and mercy. Imagine how holy these men would be if we spent half the amount of time we raged against them or spoke poorly about them as we did praying for them. In our humanity, it is easy to feel like we are doing something efficacious by allowing ourselves to feel and voice our emotions, but with the eyes of faith we know that we are far more efficacious in prayer and sacrifice.

Imagine what could happen if every Catholic prayed and made a small sacrifice for these men? Truly, we will only know what will happen on the other side of eternity, but we have to try and trust that truly praying for these men, who are the head of the Church, will lead them to deeper grace.

For those who are already wonderful leaders, may our prayers lead to protection and a louder voice, and for the prodigal, perhaps it can lead to the Father’s home and heart.

All Enquiries to Declan & Carmel 8 Coppingers Court Powerscourt Lawns Waterford X91 TEY0 Tel: 087-0553011

Yes, weak men have done their best to destroy the Church since Judas. When Napoleon warned Pope Pius VII’s Secretary of State that he had the power to destroy the Church, Cardinal Ercole Consalvi responded with pluck, “Your majesty, we, the Catholic clergy, have done our best to destroy the Church for the last 1,800 years. We have not succeeded, and neither will you.” The Holy Spirit is in charge. There is no other explanation for the Church’s continued existence. But we can do our part to pray for healing, grace, clarity, and true leadership from all our shepherds.

18th December 2020 Catholic Voice

CATHOLIC VOICE APPEAL 5

CATHOLIC VOICE ADVENT APPEAL Dear Reader As we approach the Advent season this year we especially ask you to consider Catholic Voice as a recipient of your Advent giving.

Your generosity of prayerful and financial support over the past long months has enabled us to continue spreading Catholic news and Truth. We have been able to continue reaching a wide audience of readers , not only in Ireland but in many different countries.

During this year we have all been challenged in many ways including the closing of churches and the absence of the sacraments. Many of you have become more aware that Catholic Voice is a not for profit organisation and neither we nor our contributors and promoters take a salary.

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6 THE SACRAMENTS

Catholic Voice

18th December 2020

Making The Most Of The Sacraments An Essential Part Of Our Spiritual Life (Part 4) Canon Francis Altiere I.C.K.S.P.

The Sacraments We Should Receive Often There are two sacraments which we can – and should – receive often. These two sacraments are: the sacrament of the Eucharist (holy communion) and the sacrament of penance (confession). As a way of assuring that her members have at least a minimal degree of religious observance, the Church requires us to receive these two sacraments at least once a year. (We are required to receive holy communion at least once a year, at Easter time; we are required to go to Mass every Sunday, even if we do not intend to receive communion.) But that is really just the bare minimum necessary in order to remain a “practicing Catholic”: if we actually seek to grow in our spiritual life and to be ready for the day when we will be called from this life, we will want to receive these sacraments often. We will at least try to go to confession whenever we commit a serious sin and to receive communion (worthily!) every time we go to Mass. Since these two sacraments – along with prayer and works of charity – are the backbone of our life

as Christians, it is essential for us to know something about them, so that we may receive them as fruitfully as possible.

II. CONFESSION This sacrament is known by several different names: confession, after the most familiar act of the sacrament, namely, the confession of our sins to the priest; penance, after the name of the virtue which enables us to regret our sins; reconciliation, after the principal effect of this sacrament, namely, being reconciled to God, like the prodigal son who returns to his merciful Father.

In this consideration of the sacrament of penance our aim is to give enough of an introduction to this sacrament to enable you to approach the sacrament fruitfully. We shall touch upon the following points: first, a brief explanation of what this sacrament is; next, some reminders about sin; then, a short description of the three parts of a good confession; and finally, some considerations for going to confession.

The Sacrament Of Penance Confession is one of the seven sacraments established

by Jesus Christ and entrusted by him to the Catholic Church, which he founded to carry on his work. Like the other sacraments, confession is an outward sign instituted by Our Lord Jesus Christ in order to give us his grace. The specific purpose of this sacrament is to restore grace to a soul that has been lost by serious sin or to reinvigorate the charity that has been weakened by lesser sins and to strengthen us against falling into sin again in the future. (“Charity” is the theological virtue by which we love God for his own sake above all things and our neighbour as ourselves out of love for God.) In other words, as we commonly express it, the purpose of the sacrament of penance is to forgive our sins. Our Lord came to redeem us – that is to say, to save us from our sins and to restore our fallen race to a state of friendship with God – but each individual person must willingly participate in this redemption if he is to be saved. Confession is the means which Our Lord has established in order to enable us to receive the graces which he won for us on the cross for the forgiveness of sin.

There is no such thing as a “do-it-yourself confession,” for very good reasons. Through the act of confessing

18th December 2020

Catholic Voice

our sins, we come to terms with our own weakness and grow in humility; by receiving absolution from the priest, who functions as Christ’s own representative, we have the objective assurance that our sins are forgiven. We are not left to our own devices, a situation in which we could all too easily deceive ourselves or in which we would have no objective assurance that our sins had been forgiven. Our Lord promised to his Apostles – and to their successors, the bishops of the Catholic Church and their collaborators the priests – the power to set men free from the bonds of their sins when he said, “whatever you bind on earth shall be bound also in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed also in heaven” (Mt 18:18). He bestowed this tremendous power upon them the evening of his Resurrection, saying, “Receive the Holy Spirit: when you forgive men’s sins, they are forgiven; when you hold them bound, they are held bound” (Jn 20:23). Only God can forgive sins, of course, but in this sacrament the priest acts as God’s instrument. The priest forgives sins not through his own personal powers or merits but through the authority which God has given him. For two thousand years, this power of forgiving sins in the name of Jesus Christ has been preserved without fail in the Church Jesus founded.

Go To Confession!

THE SACRAMENTS 7

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8 GHOSTS OF CHRISTMAS

Catholic Voice

18th December 2020

A ‘Catholic’ Christmas Carol Catherine Austin

Christmas 1937

Dublin 1916 After The Easter Rising

It was a bitterly cold night as Eamon De Valera finished up work for the Christmas period. He walked briskly past all the carollers singing “O Holy Night” and made his way with the rest of the crowds of people who were arriving at the nearby church to attend the vigil Mass. The bells were joyfully ringing and he had a warm, feeling in his heart, and soul as he kept recalling the words, as he often did, of the preamble to the 1937 Constitution: “In the name of The Most Holy Trinity, from Whom is all authority, and to Whom, as our final end; all actions both of men and States must be referred.

We, the people of Éire, humbly acknowledging all our obligations to our Divine Lord Jesus Christ, who sustained our fathers through centuries of trial, gratefully remembering their heroic and unremitting struggle to regain the rightful independence of our nation, and seeking to promote the common good, with due observance of Prudence, Justice and Charity, so that the dignity and freedom of the individual may be assured, true social order attained, the unity of our country restored, and concord established with other nations, do hereby adopt, enact and give to ourselves this Constitution.

....The State acknowledges that the homage of public worship is due to Almighty God. It shall hold His Name in reverence, and shall respect and honour religion.”

Later on, as he went to bed, he dreamt of St. Patrick, of the penal days and of how the government had restored this land to a land of Saints and Scholars. He was suddenly woken up by an Angel from God, saying; ‘I am here to show you the future of your great land. You will see two spectres; the Taoiseach of Christmas future, and the Taoiseach of Christmas yet to come” ‘But why?’ said the very confused and frightened De Valera, ‘Surely nothing wrong can happen, we have it good now, we have everything in perspective?’

‘Be prepared’, said the Angel, ‘This will shake you to your very core!’

Christmas 2020

De Valera stood in the Dail and watched as all the government officials came in with masks on, and

then took their places with a strange spacing between them, very strange he thought! He saw them, rubbing their hands in glee and shouting down a few good men, (men who would’ve been great in 1937) and not letting them speak!! He couldn’t quite understand....had the english reformed the government again?? What had happened......and then he heard them...their voices... the Irish ac-cents!! Michaél Martin, Leo Varadkar, Simon Harris....he couldn’t believe it!!!!

Between his gasps of shock, he heard; ‘Let’s control what people can buy and not buy’ ‘Let’s control where they can and can’t go’ ‘Let’s leave everyone alone at Christmas!’

‘Let’s close all the churches, let’s imprison Priests if they dare to say public Mass!’

He couldn’t believe it......at Christmas of all times! His heart started pounding and as he walked along the corridors of the Dail, he saw it, as clear as day, the day it all started to go wrong in his be-loved

18th December 2020 Catholic Voice

GHOSTS OF CHRISTMAS 9

nation. The photo of Enda Kenny and every Taoiseach thereafter..... and underneath was every aspect of the constitution, the dear Constitution of Blessed Ireland, chipped away, torn apart that they were responsible for. Horrible visions appeared on the walls showing ghastly faces of people jubilant over the introduction of the wilful, endless slaughter and murder of unborn babies, of same sex ‘marriages’...

“Angel, I cannot bear this anymore.....please take me away!”

“You have one more spectre to see”, said the Angel.

Christmas Future 202?

It was a bitterly cold night, and De Valera was led through the empty, desolate streets of Dublin, the churches had been ransacked and boarded up, there were no carollers singing, it was dark and bleak.

As the Dail was emptying for the Christmas period, he saw the last Taoiseach leaving, even worse looking than the ones before, all dressed in black, with a legion of minions following him. De Valera could hear what he was saying, he was repeating with great mirth his ‘postamble’; ‘It has taken me many, many years, Everything that God has done, with your help, I have done the opposite!

We have taken life from womb to tomb, We have joined what should not be joined, We have imprisoned the good and the just, We have locked the churches, We have taken Christ out of Christmas’ – ‘now come, my minions and warm ourselves at my eter-nal fire!’

“Angel, what can we do?”, said De Valera.

“Pray, pray your Rosary, and do not worry, don’t you know the gates of hell will never prevail against God Almighty, and so may God bless us, everyone!”

President Eamon DeValera - Comemoration Of The First Dáil (RTE Archives)

The

Dominicans Truth

...Lives On and On!

"One of the few things in life that cannot possibly do any harm in the end is the honest pursuit of Truth."

- Peter Kreeft www.irishdominicanvocations.com

10 LETTERS

Catholic Voice

Letters

18th December 2020 Send your letters to: Letters Page, Catholic Voice, St Michael’s House, Castlemitchell South, Athy, Co Kildare or email to letters@catholicvoice.ie

A Letter To The Bishops Of Ireland Dear Bishop, Over the years, you encouraged your flock to vote YES in various referenda, that gave more and more power to a Godless Government. Now the Government has forbidden the Mass.

The Mass is a means to offer Christ’s Sacrifice on Calvary to God the Father.

This is the first time since Christianity was introduced to Ireland that we have no public Mass. Even in the times of persecution, we still had public Mass, as is evidenced by the Mass rocks around the country.

We now have no Sacrifice to God our Creator, but the sacrifice to Satan continues, with the killing of thousands of helpless babies in the womb, babies who are made in the image and likeness of God. If only one Bishop would stand up to this Godless Government, and use the authority given to him by Christ, and teach as God wants him to do, there would be a lot less evil in Ireland. Sadly, some of the Bishops are actually encouraging evil. Archbishop Diarmuid Martin stated in public, that the Church would have to change its teaching, which is Christ’s teaching, to accommodate those that continue to live in an obstinate serious sinful lifestyle.

O Mary, Help of Christians, pray for Ireland.

David Kelly, Dublin.

The spirit of Cromwell and of the Scribes and Pharisees Dear Editor, The spirit of the Lord Protector, Master Cromwell, and that of the Scribes and Pharisees is alive and well today in the benighted Ireland of 2020A.D. Not to be outdone by their predecessors our current government continues to persecute church going Catholics by refusing them the right to attend Holy Mass under the pretext of a “pandemic” which is no more dangerous than a bad

winter flu. Cromwell would tolerate all religions except Catholicism and the Mass, much like our own native Irish government. We have our priest hunters today too, zealous members of the Garda Síochana who are on the look out for any priest that might dare say the Mass in public ready to clasp him in irons and throw him in the dungeons.

Now, like the “Lord Protector” of old in the name of “protecting us from an unseen and “deadly virus” they want to make Christmas miserable and unbearable for everyone except themselves of course. Lord Protector, Micheál Martin and his side kick Leo Varadkar want to curtail the number of people we may invite into our homes, because we might make merry which the “holy virus” does not like so we must respect this new false god and be protected from our own silliness.

Christmas day Masses will have to be curtailed and our episcopal hirelings, being the sycophants and spineless men that they are, will gladly comply will Lord Protector Martin’s decrees all in the name of “keeping us safe.

Like the Scribes and Pharisees, our political leaders who are all white and shiny on the outside but rotten like sepulchres on the inside have burdened the people with nonsensical rules and regulations and don’t give one care what hardships pain and suffering these cause. How many medium and small businesses will never open again? We must observe, as the Pharisees told

the people of Israel, constant hand washing, social distancing, mandatory mask wearing and we dare not question their authority or be faced with their wrath, with fines and even prison sentences.

Cromwell like the globalists was a type of leveller who wanted to reduce all the people to same level excepting his good self of course and his political cronies. We can see a similar parallel today where our government follows and does the bidding of the new Lord Protectors Big Pharma, Big Tech, Big Money. Cromwell’s killing of the King, Charles II, paved the way 150 years later for the execution of the Catholic King Louis XVI as a result of the pernicious ideas of the “enlightenment” whose rotten fruits are coming home to roost today.

However, these globalists like Cromwell and the Scribes and Pharisees will fail too. This persecution will not last forever and in the end they will be exposed as frauds and cheats. They are on the losing side of history and will go down in history as fraudsters, criminals and liars. The Immaculate Heart of Mary will triumph and like the serpent of old, they too will be crushed and vanquished.

Our Lady of Fatima, Pray for us.

John Dill, Ballyvolane, Cork.

18th December 2020

LETTERS 11

Catholic Voice

Letters Dear Editor, I write this a broken-hearted parent. I am grieving for my child who is alive. I and my family are victims of TUSLA. I have to stop and start writing as the tears are flowing out of my eyes. I long to see my child, it has been a while, but I am at the complete mercy of TUSLA. It is completely agonising. My pain has never stopped since my child was taken from me, it never leaves you.

It’s a dull aching pain around your heart. Every day is a new day for everybody but all I think about when I wake up is when will my child be home. I have suffered so so many heart-breaking emotions and horrible lows. I do not know where to turn some days.

The things that keep be going are my love for my child and my family. I and my family never asked for this.

We have suffered greatly at the hands of various social workers and health care professionals. They have shown no empathy towards us whatsoever. It’s the Christmas

A

Send your letters to: Letters Page, Catholic Voice, St Michael’s House, Castlemitchell South, Athy, Co Kildare or email to letters@catholicvoice.ie season and I have not seen my child now for well over a year. I long to hold my child in my arms and say “I love you”, but they tell me my child does not want to see me, that is what the social workers keep telling me and they say the same to all the other families.

Christmas is meant to be the most wonderful time of the year. For me it is a bleak time. The silence is deafening every day not hearing my child’s voice. Oh, it is agony for me. I feel like I am in a black tunnel and cannot get out. When I am in town and see families together, inside it makes me so sad. I bottle up my tears and let them out when I go home.

To all the families in Ireland, please pray for the parents of the over 6,000 children who are in state care who have been taken by TUSLA. I wish every one a happy Christmas.

Name with editor.

The Nativity Gospel Of St Luke

nd it came to pass, that in those days there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that the whole world should be enrolled. This enrolling was first made by Cyrinus, the governor of Syria. And all went to be enrolled, every one into his own city.

And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem: because he was of the house and family of David, To be enrolled with Mary his espoused wife, who was with child. And it came to pass, that when they were there, her days were accomplished, that she should be delivered.

And she brought forth her first born son, and wrapped him up in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. And there were in the same country shepherds watching, and keeping the night watches over their flock. And behold an angel of the Lord stood by them, and the brightness of God shone round about them; and they feared with a great fear. And the angel said to them: Fear not; for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, that shall be to all the people: For, this day, is born to you a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord, in the city of David.

And this shall be a sign unto you. You shall find the infant wrapped in swaddling clothes, and laid in a manger.

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly army, praising God, and saying: Glory to God in the highest; and on earth peace to men of good will. And it came to pass, after the angels departed from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another: Let us go over to Bethlehem, and let us see this word that is come to pass, which the Lord has showed to us.

And they came with haste; and they found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger. And seeing, they understood of the word that had been spoken to them concerning this child. And all that heard, wondered; and at those things that were told them by the shepherds.

But Mary kept all these words, pondering them in her heart.

And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God, for all the things they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

(Luke 2:1-20)

12 A COVID CHRISTMAS TALE

Catholic Voice

18th December 2020

The New Citizen - A Dystopian Christmas Tale John Lacken

Elizabeth awoke in the ‘Hospital for the Health & Well-Being of Future Citizens’ with a deep sense of inner contentment. She always thought the name of the hospital was strange; it was here that her friend had aborted her first two pregnancies after government officials advised her that current climate restrictions and health regulations had determined that the time was not right for a new citizen of the ‘Global Happiness Initiative’.

The Initiative was the ruling body which had been set up after the first appearance of Covid. That was the year Covid-19 and now, in this year Covid-33, Elizabeth, and her significant other citizen, Zack, after a careful screening process, had finally been granted permission to bring a new citizen into the Global Happiness Initiative. It was now three days since Elizabeth had given birth.

The equality ministry had not yet decided on the gender of this new citizen, but Elizabeth secretly hoped for what was known in the years before Covid as, ‘a little boy’. She had never voiced this secret desire out loud for fear of repercussions from the Ministry for New Citizens. The years of rigorous ‘new citizens training’ that she and Zack had undergone, had taught her to keep certain things to herself. Otherwise, she would never have been accepted into the ‘programme for the development of new citizens’, which was regulated by the Ministry. It was this government department that determined which citizens were suitable for bringing ‘new citizens’ into the Initiative. She often thought it funny that, despite years and years of medical and scientific advancement, the best citizens were

still being produced by the physical union of what were once known as ‘a male’ and ‘a female’.

She had not been privileged to see the new citizen yet, but soon, soon, she would get to hold this precious child.

Meanwhile, down in the ‘Welcome Neo-Citizens’ ward of the hospital, Nurse Mary was busy preparing the new citizen to be united with his future ‘citizen carers’. She was glad that this new little citizen had passed all of the required screening tests, as she always found it difficult when a new citizen failed one of the tests and had to be disposed of.

It was hard to take the emotional trauma that sometimes occurred when citizen carers had to be informed that their new citizen had not passed the tests and that they should apply again for acceptance onto the programme in another two years. Some citizen carers never fully recovered from the psychological impact of this and were subsequently deemed unfit members of ‘the programme for the development of new citizens’.

They were dismissed from the programme after being sterilised.

But today was a good day for Nurse Mary. She was making the final preparations for this new citizen who had been assigned the gender ‘male identifying as male’ with the pronouns He/Him. She often wondered what criteria were used by the government in assigning the gender to the new citizen, but this had always been classified information. She was now ready to perform the final step before taking the new citizen to be introduced to his future citizen carers who would make sure that this little citizen

would learn to think according to the standard Covid doctrines that had been passed by the different government ministries over the years.

Nurse Mary always felt a tinge of sadness as she made the final preparation for the new citizen.

She hated, (although emotions like hate and love had been banned for years), when the time came to put the facemask on the new citizen.

She had to be careful that she was not observed looking longingly at the little citizen’s beautiful face for the last time, absorbing every little detail. Any outward sign of emotion or resistance could cost her her job, and then she would never have the privilege of looking at these beautiful little faces again. She whispered a soft ‘goodbye’ to the little boy whose face she believed she would never see again, and carefully placed the mask, making sure that it was covering the nose and mouth, and was tucked snugly under the new citizen’s chin.

He was just three days old. She would have kissed this little boy were it not for the ever-present security cameras which monitored her every movement. She was finding it more and more difficult to part with each new citizen she prepared, and she wondered for how long more she would be able to keep up the pretence despite the repugnance she felt deep within her heart. She dismissed these morbid thoughts by thinking about the name the citizen carers would give to this little fellow. It was one of the few freedoms still permitted to citizen carers. They still got to name their new little citizen, with final approval of the name being reserved to the government of course.

18th December 2020

Catholic Voice

Elizabeth, fully dressed now and awaiting her release from the ‘Hospital for the Health & WellBeing of Future Citizens’, tensed with excitement as she saw the door of her hospital room opening and Nurse Mary wheel the cradle with the new citizen into the room.

Elizabeth had taken extra care to ensure that her facemask was placed correctly according to the latest Covid-33 regulations. She made sure not to touch it again once in place, and, with carefully sanitised hands she had signed the Covid-33 declaration stating that she would carefully educate this new citizen according to current and future Covid regulations. She knew that she could be expelled from ‘the programme for the development of new citizens’, for any serious breach of the regulations. In this case, the new little citizen would be given over to other citizen carers.

She was determined that this would not happen to her. One of her best friends had applied for, and had been granted, permission to voluntarily terminate her own life after her little citizen had been removed from her when someone reported her for not having her mask on correctly whilst in the presence of her little citizen. Elizabeth still missed this friend and had not found any comfort in the Ministry for Health’s assurances that her friend had made a responsible decision for the good of the Global Happiness Initiative and that some of her organs had been donated to save the lives of other citizens.

Elizabeth and Zack signed the forms handed to them by Nurse Mary. The new citizen was wrapped snugly in the little cradle on wheels, and Elizabeth’s heart was beating faster than she had ever known before, because very soon she would get to hold her masked little citizen.

Nurse Mary addressed the new citizen carers: “what name do you wish to give this new citizen, a male who identifies as male, with the pronouns he/him” Elizabeth replied in a voice which surprised her for its calmness, “His name is John” Nurse Mary turned to the male citizen carer, known on her form as ‘Carer A’, to confirm the name.

Zack replied: “His name is John” “Thank you” said Nurse Mary “Just let me just upload that to the citizen database for approval. It will only take a minute”.

A minute later the screen on Nurse Mary’s tablet device flashed green and the word ‘Approved’ lit up the screen. She turned to the cradle and carefully lifted John out and handed him to Elizabeth. Elizabeth’s heart and world stood still for several moments. She carefully handed the little bundle to Zack who placed citizen John into his sanitised travel cot and after a few final formalities, Elizabeth, Zack, and John headed home.

A COVID CHRISTMAS TALE 13

It was late in the evening of December 24th, in the year Covid-45. John, now twelve years old, was outside as the sky slowly darkened and the stars began to peep.

He was warm in his thermal coat and was eagerly looking forward to his planned adventure. About two years ago, Zack had begun taking John out at night to teach him about the stars and galaxies in the night sky. John was fascinated by the stars, but more than that, he loved when his father, or citizen carer A as he was supposed to address him, would tell him about the old times.

Zach spoke to him of a time when there were churches and priests, he told him about a mystical man called Jesus and of how he had come to bring freedom to men.

John loved these night adventures and stories, especially when his mother Elizabeth would join them.

His parents warned him that these things were never to be spoken of in the house or when others were present, but Zach had told him that one day he too would be free.

“When?”, John asked. Zach assured him that he would know the time and to follow the inspirations of his heart.

14 A COVID CHRISTMAS TALE

Catholic Voice

A few nights previously, John had noticed a bright new star shining in the East. The star somehow seemed to beckon to him as if it wanted him to follow it and to go to the place where its shining rays seemed to touch the earth. This evening, the pull of the star had become irresistible and John, remembering his father’s words about following his heart, without a word to anyone, had decided to follow it. He made sure not to bring any devices so that his movements would not be tracked.

Once all was quiet, John set off at a brisk pace travelling across the open fields. Eventually, he came to a fence, beyond which lay the restricted zone. Three days ago, while he was exploring the area, he had come across a gap in the fence which allowed him to squeeze through. He had heard the rumours about the strange, savage people who reportedly lived out here, known disparagingly to some as ‘The Catholics’. They were said to have some strange beliefs which were quite popular in the years before covid (BC), but which had been suppressed by the ministry for truth. John had never met any of these people and he was not sure he believed that they really existed. Perhaps these were the people from the stories his father used to tell him on their star gazing nights. Perhaps it was a rumour put out by the ministry for truth to dissuade children

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18th December 2020

from venturing into the restricted zones. This thought caused John to smile behind his ever-present facemask.

The ministry for truth lying to children to make them obedient. The irony of it appealed to his sense of humour. But tonight, he was on an adventure and who knows, perhaps he would learn the ‘real’ truth.

He had been travelling for about two miles into the restricted zone when he noticed a growing brightness coming from one of the rays that shone forth from the new star. In the distance, he began to make out the shape of a low building which was lit up by the star, and he directed his footsteps towards it. As he drew nearer, he was careful not to make a sound. There was a door in the building, and it was open. The soft light, as of a candle, created a warm inviting glow within. He could hear the voice of a woman singing and, crouching low, he crept ever closer until he could see within the room.

He was astonished at what he saw.

The woman was older than anyone he had ever seen before. There were no old people in John’s world, but that was not all. This woman’s face was uncovered.

She was not wearing her facemask. In his astonishment John found himself staring at her. Suddenly, he realised that she was looking directly at him. Her face was kindly, and she beckoned to him. Now, feeling a little foolish, John stood up and approached the door.

“You’re very welcome to Bethlehem, John” said the woman in a voice that was warm, gentle, and inviting.

“Won’t you come in? We’ve been expecting you”.

John noticed the way her lips moved as she spoke.

He had never seen his carer’s faces uncovered apart from mealtimes, and the ministry for new citizens discouraged talking whilst eating. He wondered how she had known his name.

John cautiously entered the room and felt the warmth coming from an open fireplace where wood logs crackled in the grate. “Who are you”. “H-H ow do you know me” “Is this where you live”. The questions tumbled from John’s lips as more formed in his mind.

The old woman put a finger to her lips for John to be quiet and told him to remove his facemask. “Those are not necessary here” she said, “we are a free people” The woman introduced herself as Anna and said, “There is someone I would like you to meet; she has not seen you for quite some time”. She drew back a heavy curtain that covered the entrance to another warmly lit room. John entered and saw another woman cradling a new-born infant. There were four other children with her who all looked up as John entered.

18th December 2020

A COVID CHRISTMAS TALE 15

Catholic Voice

“This is my daughter Mary” said Anna, “she used to work at the ‘Hospital for the Health & WellBeing of Future Citizens’, and she was the midwife when you were born. She looked after you during your first three days of life. She left that job shortly after you went home” Mary smiled a beautiful smile at John.

all true! The Catholics still lived!

But John was in for another big surprise. Moments later the door of Bethlehem opened again, and Elizabeth and Zack entered the room. John ran to the arms of his mother and he felt her warm tears wet his cheeks as she embraced him and kissed him for the first time without their facemasks.

John heard another noise now, the sound of a horse arriving outside.

Someone else was coming to visit.

He looked around to see a tall man, dressed completely in black, stoop slightly as he entered the house. “Hello there, John” he said, when he beheld the young boy, “so you’ve finally come to pay us a visit on this special night of nights?

I am Father Pius, and we will soon celebrate the dawn Christmas Mass to welcome the birth of our Saviour Jesus Christ. We will also baptise Mary’s new baby”. John’s mind was racing. The stories were

Later that night, as John lay in his bed pondering all the wonderful things he had seen and been told this day, his thoughts returned to the wonderful ceremony he had witnessed. He remembered the words of Father Pius as he began the Holy Mass “Introíbo ad altáre Dei” – “I will go in to the altar of God”.

He remembered the wonderful smell of incense, the sound of the bell ringing, the elevation of Host and Chalice, his parents Elizabeth and Zach, who had been baptised Catholic only recently, kneeling to receive the Sacred Host which

The Five First Saturdays

Father Pius placed carefully on their tongues. He smiled as he thought of the baptism of Elijah, Mary’s fifth child, and he longed for the day of his own baptism. He knew now that he was called from all eternity to proclaim to all who would listen, that Jesus Christ is the saviour of men.

As John drifted off to sleep, the words and melody of the chorus of the song they had all sung after Holy Mass had ended, sounded in his heart. He knew that all was well with the world and that the peace of Jesus Christ had come to all men of good will.

There’s A Place For Us

This book is a collection of Rosary There’s a Place for Us meditations composed by the Homosexuality in the celebrated French Dominican, Father Divine Plan of Redemption Jacques Marie Louis Monsabré, which were translated into English in 1885. Although these were composed in before Our Lady visited Fatima, they are perfectly suitable for use with the Five First Saturdays Devotion of Reparation.

Jesus said to those who would stone her: “He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.”

The importance of the Five First Saturdays Devotion cannot be over emphasised, Our Lady specifically came from Heaven to Fatima to ask Catholics to honour her in this way. We would appreciate your help in getting this book to as many people as possible. The cost is €10.00 including post & packing to anywhere in Ireland and it would make a great Christmas present.

Glo-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh oh-oh-oh-oh-oh oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-ria In excelsis Deo Glo-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh oh-oh-oh-oh-oh oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-ria In excelsis Deo

Jesus said to the woman: “Woman, where are they that accused thee? Hath no man condemned thee?

Who said: No man, Lord. And Jesus said: Neither will I condemn thee.”

“Go, And Now Sin No More.”

By John Cassidy

There’s A Place For Us: This testimony does not shirk away from difficult Catholic teachings but shows with piercing clarity why the Church teaches as she does the area of human sexuality. In our lives we are called to a lot more than sexual satisfaction. Rather, we are granted the privilege of living life on the highest possible plane in responding to the call of greatness of being the Sons and Daughters of God.

John Cassidy - Bio Ex-homosexual and New Man John Cassidy has been serving the Catholic Church as a full-time Lay-Man since his conversion in 2014. John has founded the Association of Believing Catholics which is a lay initiative to promote and defend the fullness of Catholic truth.

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16 CHRISTMAS JOY

Catholic Voice

18th December 2020

On The Joy Christ’s Birth Should Inspire Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is born in Bethlehem of Juda.

What heart so stony as not to be softened at these words?

What soul is not melted at this voice of her Beloved?

What announcement could be sweeter? What intelligence more enrapturing? Was its like ever heard before? Or when did the world ever receive such tidings?

Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is born in Bethlehem of Juda.

O short word, telling of the Eternal Word abbreviated for us! O word full of heavenly delights! The heart is oppressed by its mellifluous sweetness, and longs to pour forth its redundant riches, but words refuse their service. So overpowering is the music of this short speech that it loses melody if one iota is changed.

Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is born in Bethlehem of Juda.

O Nativity of spotless sanctity!

O birth honourable for the world, birth pleasing and welcome to men, because of the magnificence of the benefit it bestows; birth incomprehensible to the angels, by reason of the depth and sacredness of the mystery! In all its circumstances it is wonderful because of its singular excellence and novelty.

Its precedent has not been known, nor has its like ever followed. O birth alone without sorrow, alone without shame, free from corruption, not unlocking, but consecrating the temple of the Virgin’s womb! Nativity above nature, yet for the sake of nature! Surpassing it by the excellence of the miracle, repairing it by the virtue of the mystery! Who shall declare this generation?

The angel announces it. Almighty Power overshadows it.

The Spirit of the Most High comes upon it. The Virgin believes. By faith she conceives. The Virgin brings forth. The Virgin remains a virgin. Who is not filled with astonishment? The Son of the Most High is born. The Son, begotten of God before all ages, is Incarnate! The Word is become an Infant! Who can sufficiently admire?

And it is not a needless Nativity, a superfluous condescension of Infinite Majesty.

Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is born in Bethlehem of Juda.

Awake, you who lie in the dust — awake and give praise.

Behold, the Lord cometh with salvation. He comes with salvation, He comes with unction, He comes with glory.

Jesus cannot come without salvation, Christ cannot come without unction, nor the Son of God without glory. For He Himself is salvation, He is unction, He is glory, as it is written, “A wise son is the glory of his father” Happy the soul who has tasted this fruit of salvation, and is drawn to “run in the odour of his ointments” that she may “see his glory, the glory as of the onlybegotten of the Father.”

Take courage, you who were lost: Jesus comes to seek and save that which was lost. Ye sick, return to health: Christ comes to heal the contrite of heart with the unction of His mercy.

Rejoice, all you who desire great things: the Son of God comes down to you that He may make you the co-heirs of His kingdom.

I beseech you, then, Lord, heal me, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved; glorify me, and I shall be glorious. Then indeed shall my soul bless the Lord, and all that is within me praise His Holy Name, when He shall have been merciful to my iniquities, have healed my infirmities, and have filled my desire with good things.

On account of these three precious gifts of salvation, unction, and glory, it is consoling to hear that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is born. For why is He called Jesus, but because He shall save His people from their sins? Why has He willed to be named Christ, but because He will soften the yoke of His law by the unction of His grace?

Why was the Son of God made man, but to make men the sons of God? Who shall resist His will? If Jesus justifies, who can condemn? If Christ heals, who can wound? If the Son of God exalts, who shall cast us down? Since Jesus is born, let everyone rejoice whom the consciousness of sin has condemned as deserving of eternal punishment.

For the compassion of Jesus exceeds all crimes, however great their number and enormity. Since Christ is born, let him rejoice who wages war with the vices inherent in our nature. No disorder of the soul, how inveterate soever, can withstand the unction which Christ brings. Since the Son of God is born, let him rejoice who desires great things, for a great rewarder comes. “This is the heir”; let

18th December 2020

CHRISTMAS JOY 17

Catholic Voice

A Sermon Of St Bernard us receive Him devoutly, “and the inheritance shall be ours.” For He Who has given us His own Son, how has He not with Him given us all things? Let no one disbelieve, let no one doubt ; we have a most trustworthy testimony.

“The Word was made flesh and dwelt amongst us”.

The only-begotten Son of God desired to have brethren, that He might be the first among many brethren. Even human frailty has no cause to hesitate. He has become the brother of men ; He has become the Son of man; He has become man. “Et Homo factus est.” And, if man thinks this incredible, sense enforces belief.

Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is born in Bethlehem of Juda.

Behold what condescension! It is not in the royal city of Jerusalem, but in Bethlehem, which is the least of the thousands of Juda. O Bethlehem!

O little Bethlehem! Once little, now magnified by the Lord! He has magnified thee Who, though great, became little in thee.

Rejoice, O Bethlehem, and make holiday in thy streets with songs of Alleluia! What city on hearing of thy good fortune will not envy thee that most precious stable and the glory of its manger? In all the wide world thy name is now celebrated, and all generations call thee blessed.

Everywhere glorious things are said of thee, O little city of God. Every where is sung, “A man is born in her, and the Most High himself hath founded her.” Everywhere it is proclaimed, everywhere it is made known that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is born in Bethlehem of Juda.

Nor is it idly added “of Juda.” This word reminds us of God’s promise to our fathers. “The sceptre shall not be taken from Juda, nor the leader from his thigh, until he come who is to be sent, and he shall be the expectation of nations.” “For salvation is of the Jews;” “salvation to the ends of the earth.” To Juda Jacob says: “Thee shall thy brethren praise: thy hands shall be on the necks of thy enemies.” All these words we see fulfilled in Christ, Who, ascending on high, led captivity captive, yet derived no earthly advantage therefrom, but rather gave gifts to men.

These and similar prophecies are recalled to the mind by the words “Bethlehem of Juda.”

And we have no need to inquire whether any thing good can come from Bethlehem; it is sufficient for us to know that our Lord willed to be born there. For doubtless there were in the world noble palaces which He might have judged worthy of His choice — palaces where the King of Glory might have been received more honourably; but it was not to purchase them that He came from His royal throne. In his left hand were riches and glory; in His right hand length of days. There was an endless supply of these treasures in heaven, but poverty could not be found there.

Earth abounded and super-abounded in this kind of merchandise, and men knew not its value.

The Son of God was desirous of it. He came down from heaven to make it His own, and so render it precious to us by His choice. Adorn thy bridal chamber, O Sion, devout soul, but with humility, but with poverty. These are the swathing-bands that please our Infant Jesus; these are the rich robes in which Mary tells us He loves to be clothed. Sacrifice to thy God the abominations of the Egyptians.

Remember, too, that it is in Bethlehem of Juda that Jesus is born; and be very careful lest you fail to be found there, lest He fail to be received by you. Bethlehem is the house of bread; Juda signifies confession or praise. If, then, you replenish your soul with the food of the Divine Word, the Body of our Lord Jesus Christ, and devoutly receive the Bread which came down from heaven, and which giveth life to the world; if the vessel of your body is made strong and able to hold the new wine by being refreshed and strengthened with His new and glorified flesh; if, moreover, you live by faith, and have no need to weep because you have forgotten to eat your bread, then, indeed, you are become a Bethlehem fitted to receive our Lord.

But see that praise be not wanting. Put on praise and beauty; these are the garments Christ approves of in those who serve Him. The Apostle commends them to you in a few words: “In the heart we believe unto justice; by the mouth is made confession unto salvation.” Let, then, justice be in the heart, the justice which is of faith. This alone has glory before God. Let confession also be in the mouth unto salvation, and you are sure to receive Him Who was born in Bethlehem of Juda, Jesus Christ the Son of God.

18 THE CORRUPTION OF INNOCENCE

Catholic Voice

18th December 2020

Don’t Send Your Son And Heir To Eton, Lady Worthington!

Christopher Monckton of Brenchley No responsible parents should send their sons to Eton under its current lamentable headmaster, Simon Henderson, known to the boys who suffer under his woke, pietistic, ruthless and sullenly intolerant totalitarian regime as “Trendy Hendy”.

Parents of boys already at the school should withhold their fees and take their sons elsewhere at once on grounds of flagrant breach of contract on the school’s part. Trendy Hendy, on his “Meet The Head Master” page at the life-expired school’s website, talks of giving his victims “an outstanding, progressive and well-rounded education”. Readers of this column will recognize the word “progressive” as all too often a code-word for “Communist”.

The headmaster continues: “… we aim to foster confidence, perseverance, tolerance and integrity; to enhance communication skills; to embrace creativity; to encourage teamwork; and to promote an open-minded and outward-looking mentality so that boys are ready to make a really positive contribution to their wider community.”

Yeah, right! Neither he nor the school aim to do any such thing. The school has demonstrated its “tolerance” and “open-mindedness” and “teamwork” by summarily dismissing Will Knowland, an English teacher of nine years’ standing who has five children of his own, for the sin – unforgivable to the far-out, anti-Christian Left – of

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refusing to remove from his personal YouTube channel a half-hour lecture questioning radical feminist orthodoxy.

The lecture was intended to be part of series in which the boys were exposed to both sides of the case on subjects on which only one side (nearly always the left-hand side) is usually aired.

I watched the whole thing, as have 50,000 others in just a few days.

Google “Knowland knows patriarchy” and you will find it. There is absolutely nothing in Mr Knowland’s splendid talk that could legitimately give rise to the headmaster’s demand that Mr Knowland should take the video down from Youtube.

The lecture fairly and gently gives both sides of the feminist case. Mr Knowland does not conceal his support for the traditional family, or for the notion that the differences in the psychological makeup of men and women are not entirely sociallyimprinted, but are – at least in part – inherent and innate. Male and female created He them. Get over it.

The lecture is polite and moderatelyexpressed throughout. Make sure you watch it: it is highly educational, beautifully crafted and well presented. Yet the school, determined to get rid of the popular Mr Knowland (1000 boys have already signed a petition demanding his immediate reinstatement) and knowing that his lecture gave no legitimate ground to dismiss him, paid two barristers to deliver opinions to the effect that the lecture was somehow in breach of the Equalities Act 2010 and, for good measure, the Independent Schools’ Standards Regulations.

I do not suggest that learned Counsel delivered the opinions they did purely because they were paid to do so. There are enough half-baked, woke blokes at the Inns of Court. All the school had to do was to choose its shysters carefully.

In the law of England, only two principles of natural justice are recognized: first, that in any judicial

Simon Henderson - Eton College Website or quasi-judicial process both sides should be fully and fairly heard, and secondly, that none should be the judge in his own cause.

The first principle, as thousands of legal cases down the centuries demonstrate, requires that if a complaint is made against – say – a teacher, the teacher must be told of the reasons for the complaint before and not after being given a chance to argue his side of the case, and he must likewise be told of the reasons for any judgment – the ratio decidendi – before being asked to carry it out.

Yet when on six occasions Trendy Hendy ordered Mr Knowland to take down his video from his own Youtube channel, on all six occasions he refused to explain why he considered the video to be illegal. Therefore, Mr Knowland was under no obligation, legal, moral or other, to take down his video from his channel. It’s a free country (or, at any rate, it used to be).

The school, therefore, is already in irremediable breach of the audiatur et altera pars (hear both sides) principle of natural justice.

The European Human Rights Convention requires that every stage

18th December 2020 of a judicial process be conducted fairly and that, if at any stage there is unfairness, that judicial process is – to borrow a catchy phrase from Pope Innocent X when describing the Treaty of Westphalia – “null, void, invalid, iniquitous, unjust, damnable, reprobate, inane and empty of meaning for all time”. Mr Knowland has, therefore, already won, though he probably does not know it yet.

But it gets worse – far worse. The chairman of the governors (or, in one of the many cobwebbed, fogeyish archaisms of Eton, the “Provost”) is Lord Waldegrave. At present, my noble friend proposes to chair the disciplinary hearing on December 8th, the 580th anniversary of Eton’s founding, that will – at last, and far too late – hear Mr Knowland’s side of the case after, rather than before, explaining to him what it is that is imagined to be unlawful about his harmless and thought-provoking educational video.

However, His Lordship has made the fatal mistake of publicly taking the school’s side in this quasi-judicial wrangle. To my astonishment, he issued a statement, widely cited in the press, saying that the school had been left with no choice after Mr Knowland had refused to take down his video “while a solution was found”.

That statement, the moment it was publicly uttered, absolutely debarred His Lordship from taking any judicial part in the proceedings against Mr Knowland. For Lord Waldegrave, by going public on the school’s side, has made the school’s case his own, wherefore, if he were to sit in judgment on Mr Knowland, he would manifestly, knowingly, wilfully, brazenly act as a judge in his own cause, offending fatally against the nemo sit judex in causa sua principle of natural justice.

Oops!

It is often thus when totalitarians capture previously enlightened, libertarian establishments such as Eton. They overreach themselves, as the school, its headmaster and its well-meaning but misguided Provost have done in the present case, which – thanks to their self-righteous disregard not only for tolerance and open-mindedness – Mr Knowland has effectively won.

Let us end with the conclusion of Mr Knowland’s excellent lecture:

Catholic Voice

THE CORRUPTION OF INNOCENCE 19

“Andrea Dorkin has been described in The Guardian, as recently as 2019, as ‘the visionary feminist we need in our troubled times’. This was her vision: ‘Men and women are fictions, caricatures, cultural constructs. Unambiguous heterosexual behaviour is the worst betrayal of our common humanity. The destruction of the incest taboo is essential to the development of cooperative human community based on the free flow of natural androgynous eroticism.

‘The incest taboo can only be destroyed by destroying the nuclear family as the primary institution of culture. As people develop fluid, androgynous identity, they will also develop the forms of community appropriate to it.

‘Children are fully capable of participating in community and have every right to live out their own erotic impulses. The distinctions between children and adults, and the social institutions which enforce those distinctions, would disappear as androgynous community develops.’

[End Dorkin] “Attacking the nuclear family, then, she advocates incest and paedophilia. Not only are the sexes cultural constructs but so is the distinction between children and adults. It is worth noting here that Simone de Beauvoir, author of The Second Sex and founder of modern feminism, signed a petition calling for paedophilia to be decriminalized.

Eton College

(Evka W - ccc license wikimedia)

“By contrast, the core of masculinity, the protector role, makes it the antithesis of paedophilia. That is why in prison child abusers are the most despised offenders. Dorkin wants to destroy patriarchal power at its source, the family, and destroy the structure of culture as we know it.

“But the family offers numerous benefits, not only to men but to women and children. Children who live with their own two married parents enjoy better physical and mental health, on average, than do children in other family forms. Married women live longer and enjoy better health and lower rates of injury and illness than unmarried women. They are substantially less likely to commit suicide and they have lower rates of depression. They are also at lower risk of experiencing domestic violence or being the victims of crime.

“The Harvard sociologist Karl Zimmerman, in his masterwork Family and civilization, described childbearing as ‘the main stem of the family’. Only a man and a woman can bear children and, for as long as childbearing continues, the nuclear family will continue to bury its undertakers.”

Every Catholic should say Amen to that in the most practical way, by donating to the crowd-funding campaign that has already raised £15,000 of the £100,000 needed to take the case before an industrial tribunal. Ruat Etona! Floreat veritas Domini in aeternum!

20 THE ADVENT WREATH

Catholic Voice

18th December 2020

LIVING IN JOYFUL HOPE Mary Kearns

We usually think of the Advent Wreath as a symbol of our waiting in joyful hope for the coming of Jesus at Christmas. It would however be good for us to go a bit further in meditating on what “joyful hope” signifies in terms of salvation history. Looking to the future beyond the few weeks leading up to the Christmas season, we can anticipate the second coming of Jesus at the end of time. Perhaps we neglect to think very much of this, yet it is a reality promised by the Lord himself.

It is not easy for us to identify with God’s chosen people who originally waited in hope. Was hope still a reality for them although the Kingdom of David had been dispersed and annihilated due to the destruction carried out by Assyria and Babylon? Only a remnant remained of the descendants of Abraham. The great prophet Isaiah foretold that the promises of God would be fulfilled and that the family tree of David believed dead, would send out a live branch from its roots, a branch that would bear fruit. This was to be the Messiah.

“The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him - the Spirit of wisdom and understanding.” (Is 11:1-2) Isaiah was writing seven hundred years before the birth of Jesus and this was a long time for the people of Israel to keep their hope in deliverance alive. Nonetheless this is what they did and we can see the evidence of their hope in many scripture passages.

The Advent Wreath symbolises the hope of the past, the present and the future. As we look back to the prophecies and as we prepare in the present, we are at the same

time looking forward not only to the Nativity but to Christ’s second coming.

Three purple candles, one rose and one white adorn the Advent Wreath.

Although the custom of the Advent Wreath seems to have originated in pagan times, it can nevertheless be a valuable way of catechising if we become more aware of its meaning.

It is such a obvious addition in our churches that it can be a way of explaining to children, at least some of the way that God interacted with his people throughout history.

In neglecting to go into the deeper significance of the Wreath, we can miss the opportunity to acknowledge the long story of our salvation and the Advent Wreath can be seen as just a sort of countdown symbol or even a decoration like the Christmas tree.

The first candle of the Advent wreath, the prophecy candle, or candle of hope, is purple. The second is called the Bethlehem candle, or the candle of preparation,

and it is also purple. Likewise, the fourth Advent candle colour is purple. It’s called the angel candle, or the candle of love.

The second purple candle reminds us to repent and prepare ourselves for the light of Christ which is about to come into the world.

A perceptible change happens on the third Sunday in Advent. This is known as “Gaudete Sunday” from the Latin word “rejoice.” By the time we reach the third Sunday of Advent, the purple candle of Prophecy has been lit to represent how Isaiah foretold the coming of the Messiah who would spring from the branch of the tree of Jesse.

Now we can anticipate the joy which will be realised on Christmas Day. The candle of Joy, sometimes known as the Shepherds Candle is lit. It is traditionally pink or rose, and symbolizes joy at the coming of Christ. It marks a shift from the more solemn tone of the first two Sundays of Advent where the focus is on preparation and hope,

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Catholic Voice

to a more joyous atmosphere of anticipation and expectancy. Rose vestments are also in order for the third Sunday and this shift from purple serves to show a lessening emphasis on repentance. The theme of joy is announced in the Entrance Antiphon: “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say rejoice.

Indeed the Lord is near.” On this Sunday, there are additional signs of gladness, most notably in the scripture readings.

Throughout the weeks of Advent, we listen to the prophet Isaiah and to the vision of the end times in the Book of Revelation. On Gaudete Sunday there is a new tone as Isaiah is now proclaiming “good news to the poor.” Hearts that have been broken will be bound up, and there will be a year of favour from the Lord. This reading is of particular significance because this is precisely the text referred to by Jesus when he preached in the synagogue of his home town, Nazareth. “[Jesus]stood up to read, and they handed him the scroll of the prophet Isaiah. Unrolling the scroll he found the place where it is written: The spirit of the Lord has been given to me ...”(Luke 4:16-18).

Thessalonians tells us to be happy at all times as we prepare for the coming of Christ. However, we must not at the same time lose sight of the fact that Advent is a penitential season. On Gaudete Sunday this spirit of repentance is suspended to be taken up again on the fourth Sunday. Altogether, Advent serves to remind us of the paschal mystery, the life, death and resurrection of Our Blessed Lord which should always be understand in its entirety.

In Advent we look forward to celebrating Jesus’ first coming on the feast of the Nativity but we are also directed to prepare for the second coming when the restoration of all things will take place. On Guadete Sunday we are commanded to rejoice. The liturgy serves to reinforce what we have borne witness to in the Creed on all the Sundays of the year: “He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.”

The great feast of the Immaculate Conception occurs during Advent, thus providing another link to the Old Testament where Isaiah prophecies:

THE ADVENT WREATH 21 “The Lord himself, therefore will give you a sign. It is this: the maiden is with child and will soon give birth to a son whom she will call Emmanuel.” (Is 7:14) This is the Emmanuel (God with us) whom we invoke in the familiar Advent hymn. We could do no better than join with Our Blessed Lady as she anticipates the birth of her Son. The Church teaches that all the world will bend the knee in joyful adoration at the name of Jesus as he comes to take his place as King. Advent also reminds us to be like the wise virgins in the Gospel who kept oil in their lamps in readiness for the coming of the bridegroom. In the infant Church the second coming was anticipated as something that was close at hand.

Imitating the early Christians we should use wisely the four weeks of Advent to remember the past and to prepare for the future. This is the waiting in joyful hope to which we testify.

For catechesis and liturgical formation: marykeenankearns@gmail.com 087- 7794687

This line from the prophet Isaiah begins the first reading for Gaudete Sunday, or the third Sunday of Advent. The message Jesus proclaimed was that the words of the prophet were being fulfilled on that day. Isaiah continues: “I exult for joy in the Lord, My soul rejoices in my God, For he has clothed me In the garments of salvation, He has wrapped me In the cloak of integrity.”

(Isaiah 61: 1-2) On this joyful Sunday there is no suggestion of the Lord’s day of vengeance. The reading from St. Paul’s first letter to the

Adoration Of The Shepherds - Agnolo Bronzino (1503 - 1572)

22 CHRISTMAS NIGHT

Catholic Voice

18th December 2020

Why Do We Think of Christ’s Birth As a Night Time Event?

Monsignor Charles Pope

O Holy night! Yes, a silent night!

And it came upon a midnight clear! Christmas, it would seem, is a festival of the middle of the night. Jesus is born when it is dark, dark midnight. We are sure of it. And why shouldn’t we be?

Even though we are not told the exact hour of His birth, we are sure it must have been at night. Scripture does say that the Shepherds who heard the glad tidings were keeping watch over their flock “by night” (cf Luke 2:9). Further, the Magi sought Him by the light of a star, and stars are seen at night, deep midnight.

None of this is evidence that Jesus was born at 12:00 midnight but it sets our clocks for night, deep midnight.

Add to this the fact that Christmas is celebrated at the winter solstice, the very darkest time of the year in the northern hemisphere. More specifically, Christmas comes when light is just beginning its subtle return. The darkest and shortest days of the year occur around December 21st and 22nd.

But by December 23rd and 24th we notice a definite but subtle trend: the days are getting longer; the light is returning! It’s time to celebrate the return of the light.

It’s going to be all right!

How fitting it is to celebrate the birth of Jesus, the true Light of the World, in deep and dark December. Jesus our light kindles a fire that never dies away. Indeed, in the dark hours of December, we notice a trend: the light is returning; the darkness is abating; the days are beginning to grow longer. It is subtle right now, but it will grow. And with the return of light, we celebrate our True Light: Jesus.

But light is best appreciated in contrast. We appreciate most the glory of light when the darkness assails us. There’s just something about Christmas Eve. As the time approaches through December and the darkness grows, we light lights.

Yes, all through December we light Advent candles, more candles as it grows darker. Even the secular among us string up lights, in malls, on their houses, in their workplace.

It’s as if to say, the darkness cannot win; the light conquers!

Lights show their true glory when contrasted with darkness. Who sees the stars in the middle of the day?

Who appreciates the full beauty of light until he has experienced darkness? Yes, Christmas is a feast of the light. We confront the darkness of December and declare to it, “Your deepest days are over.

The light is returning.” And we of faith say to a world in ever deeper darkness, “Your darkness cannot prevail. It will be overcome and replaced.” For although darkness has its season, it is always conquered by the light.

An atheist recently scoffed at me that our day is over; the world has rejected faith. Sorry, dear atheist friend, the light always wins. On December 22nd, the darkness begins to recede and the light begins to return. The light returns subtly at first, but it always does; the darkness cannot last.

Light has a way of simply replacing the darkness. In three months the equinox occurs and in six months the summer solstice, when we have the most light.

Then the darkness will once again seek to conquer. But it always loses! The light will return. Jesus is always born at the hour of darkness’ greatest moment. Just when the darkness is celebrating most, its hour is over; the light dawns again.

We celebrate after sundown on December 24th, in accordance with a tradition going back to Jewish times (feasts begin at sundown the night before).

Christmas morning is almost an afterthought. Most pastors know that the majority of their people

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come to Mass the “night before.”

In a deep and dark December, a light comes forth. A star shines in the heavens.

We gather together in and on a dark night. We smile. We are moved by the cry of a small infant, by whose voice the heavens were made.

His little cry lights up the night.

The darkness must go; the light has come; day is at hand.

We celebrate at night so as to bid farewell to the darkness. It cannot prevail. It is destined to be scattered by a Light far more powerful than it is, a Light it must obey, a Light that overwhelms and replaces it. Farewell to darkness; the Light of the World has come!

Jesus is the Light of the World.

CHRISTMAS NIGHT 23

24 OUR LADY OF AKITA

Catholic Voice

18th December 2020

Our Lady of Akita’s Alleged Apparition Warns of Coming Punishment if Sinners Do Not Repent Patrick Hayes

Our Lady of Akita is one of the most incredible apparitions of the twentieth century: three messages from Mary to a nun from a wooden statue seen crying and sweating blood.

Her warnings about recent times remind us of the need for penance and prayer.

Like any private revelation, no Catholic is obliged to believe them.

And to be credible, you must always be in tune with – and never deny – the Gospel, the Apostolic Tradition and the Church’s Magisterium.

Our Lady revealed three messages to Sr. Agnes Sasagawa in a convent in Akita, Japan, 1973.

Sister Agnes also received a supernatural cross-shaped wound on her right hand and was inexplicably healed from her deafness.

The sculpture, carved in wood, also sweated blood and wept tears

beginning January 4, 1975. This occurred 101 times over the course of six years.

Bishop John Shojiro of Niigata, Japan approved the messages on April 22, 1984. However, the Holy See has not yet recognised them.

Our Lady of Akita warned about the tribulations in the Church the punishment of the world: First message (July 6, 1973): A miracle cure and the prayer of reparation Our Lady of Akita to Sr. Agnes: “My daughter, my novice, you have obeyed well by abandoning everything to follow me. Does the disease in your ears hurt? Your deafness will end, you can be sure.

Does the wound of your hand cause you to suffer? Pray in reparation for the sins of men.”

Our Lady then gave Sr. Agnes a prayer asking God for forgiveness of the sins that seriously offend Him. “Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, truly present in Holy Eucharist, I consecrate my body and soul to be entirely one with Your Heart, being sacrificed at every instant on all the altars of the world and giving praise to the Father pleading for the coming of His Kingdom.”

“Please receive this humble offering of myself. Use me as You will for the glory of the Father and the salvation of souls.”

“Most holy Mother of God, never let me be separated from Your Divine

Son. Please defend and protect me as Your Special Child. Amen.”

Our Lady then requested that Sr. Agnes pray often for the pope, bishops, and priests of the Church.

Second message (August 3, 1973): The warning of coming punishment Our Lady to Sr. Agnes: “Many men in this world afflict the Lord. I wish that souls comfort Him to soften the wrath of the Heavenly Father.”

“In order that the world might know His anger, the Heavenly Father is preparing to inflict a great chastisement on all mankind.

With my Son I have intervened so many times to appease the wrath of the Father.

“I have prevented the coming of calamities by offering Him the sufferings of the Son on the Cross, His Precious Blood, and beloved souls who console Him forming a cohort of victim souls.

“Prayer, penance and courageous sacrifices can soften the Father’s anger. I desire this also from your community…that it love poverty, that it sanctify itself and pray in reparation for the ingratitude and outrages of so many men.

“Recite the prayer of the Handmaids of the Eucharist with awareness of its meaning; put it into practice; offer in reparation (whatever God may send) for sins.

Let each one endeavour, according to capacity and position, to offer herself entirely to the Lord.”

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OUR LADY OF AKITA 25

Third message (October 13, 1973): The tribulation of the Church Our Lady of Akita’s last message again warns about the punishment that God will send to humanity if sinners do not repent.

“As I told you, if men do not repent and better themselves, the Father will inflict a terrible punishment on all humanity. It will be a punishment greater than the deluge, such as one will never seen before.

“Fire will fall from the sky and will wipe out a great part of humanity, the good as well as the bad, sparing neither priests nor faithful. The survivors will find themselves so desolate that they will envy the dead.

“The only arms which will remain for you will be the Rosary and the Sign left by My Son. Each day recite the prayers of the Rosary. With the Rosary, pray for the Pope, the bishops and priests.”

Our Lady of Akita also expresses concern for the divisions, trials and persecutions that will enter Church.

“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 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.

The Wooden Statue of Our Lady in the Convent in Akita, Japan - (photo ccc license wikimedia)

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26 TIMELESS WISDOM

Catholic Voice

18th December 2020

Timeless Christmas Wisdom From Venerable Fulton Sheen Melissa Guerrero

Even though Venerable Fulton Sheen’s beatification might have been postponed, there is no denying that he was a good, holy man that brought the Faith to people en masse.

While some of us might not have had the pleasure to have heard him or watched him while he was still alive, we can still learn a lot from him.

There are a plethora of resources to choose from in the form of books, audio, and even his popular Life is Worth Living TV show. In fact, there is so much material — he was a prolific writer and speaker, after all — that one can get overwhelmed when trying to figure out where to begin.

If you’re in this boat but want to dip your toes into some of the awesome wisdom he left behind, why not begin with some of his inspiring words regarding Christmas? Already familiar with Venerable Sheen’s work but also want a little Christmas inspiration from this holy man? Well, then, read on!

On receiving Him in your current state on Christmas

Thou Art Peter And Upon This Rock I Will Build My Church others, He comes when their hearts are broken, that He might enter in and heal with wings wider than the world; to others, He comes in joy amidst the Venite Adoremus of the angels; to other He comes because they are so young they can never remember another Christmas – but to each and everyone He comes as if He had never come before in His own sweet way, He is the Child who is born. He, Jesus the Saviour, He Emmanuel, He Christ at Christ’s Mass on Christmas.”

In the book, The Fullness of Christ, we get Venerable Sheen’s words on the birth of Christ and how we receive Him. These words are especially important to ponder during Advent and (particularly) on Christmas Day. On Obedience And Faith “‘A Child is born.’ To some He comes on this Christmas Day even in the remorse that follows, ‘There is no room…’; to some He comes when their hearts are saddened by a life that has been taken away and can be gladdened only by a Life that is given; to some, He comes when their hearts are like conscious mangers that cry out ‘Lord, I am not worthy!’; to others, He comes as their study of science reminds them that the only star worth studying is the Star that leads to the Maker of the Stars; to

In Through the Year with Fulton Sheen, we learn about the importance of obedience and how it relates to the birth of Christ and our faith. Do you believe you’re unworthy because you’re not as knowledgeable on the faith as your peers? Read on!

“What does obedience do for us?

Obedience gives us faith. Are we reacting against Christ and his Church, or are we accepting its authority? Faith comes from that kind of submission. Remember that

when our blessed Lord was born, Herod consulted the scribes… He said to the scribes, ‘Where is the Christ to be born?’ . . . They said, ‘He is to be born in Bethlehem.’

Did they go? There was not a single scribe at that crib — not one. But they knew. Our faith today can be a kind of creedal assent, instead of a living act of the will, conscious of the fact that we are submitting to Christ, as Christ submitted to the heavenly Father. Notice, too, that at the crib, only two classes of people found their way to Christ when he came to this earth: the very simple, and the very learned— the shepherds who knew that they knew nothing, and the wise men who knew that they did not know everything.”

Seeing the Child Jesus through the eyes of Mary In Manifestations of Christ, published in 1932, Venerable Sheen wrote: “As we gather about the crib of Bethlehem, we feel that we

18th December 2020

Catholic Voice

TIMELESS WISDOM 27

The Adoration Of The Magi - Domingos Sequeira (1768 - 1837) are in the presence of a new Paradise of Beauty and Love… and the name of that Paradise is Mary. And if we could have been there in that stable on that first Christmas night, we might have seen that Paradise of the Incarnation but we should not be able to recollect whether her face was beautiful or not. for what would have impressed us, and made us forget all else, would have been the lovely, sinless soul that shone through her eyes like two celestial suns. If we could have stood at the gates to that Paradise, we would have less peered at it as into it, for what would have impressed us would not have been any external qualities, though these would have been ravishing, but rather the qualities of her soul— her simplicity, innocence, humility, and above all, her purity… Christmas takes on a new meaning when the Mother is seen with the Babe. In fact, the heavens and the earth seem almost to exchange places. Years ago, we used to think of the heavens as ‘way up there.’ Then one day the God of the heavens came to this earth, and that hour when she held the Babe in her arms, it became true to say that with her we now ‘look down’ at heaven.”

Do you see how beautiful, powerful, and, yet, still relevant his words remain? If you’re looking for something to ponder while at Christmas Eve or Christmas Day Mass, you can remember these wise words from Venerable Sheen. Don’t forget to pray for his beatification to proceed as well!

Venerable Fulton Sheen, pray for us! And a Merry Christmas to everyone!

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28 THE MYSTERY OF CHRISTMAS

Catholic Voice

18th December 2020

The Mystery of Christmas Dom Prosper Gueranger Extracts from ‘The Liturgical Year’ Everything is Mystery in this holy season. The Word of God, whose generation is before the day-star, is born in time — a Child is God — a Virgin becomes a Mother, and remains a Virgin — things divine are commingled with those that are human — and the sublime, the ineffable antithesis, expressed by the Beloved Disciple in those words of his Gospel, “The Word Was Made Flesh”, is repeated in a thousand different ways in all the prayers of the Church;— and rightly, for it admirably embodies the whole of the great portent which unites in one Person the nature of Man and the nature of God. The splendour of this Mystery dazzles the understanding, but it inundates the heart with joy. It is the consummation of the designs of God in time.

It is the endless subject of admiration and wonder to the Angels and Saints; nay, is the source and cause of their beatitude. Let us see how the Church offers this Mystery to her children, veiled under the symbolism of her Liturgy.

The four weeks of our preparation are over — they were the image of the four thousand years which preceded

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the great coming — and we have reached the twentyfifth day of the month of December, as a long desired place of sweetest rest. But why is it that the celebration of our Saviour’s Birth should be the perpetual privilege of this one fixed day; whilst the whole liturgical Cycle has, every year, to be changed and remodelled, in order to yield that ever-varying day which is to be the feast of his Resurrection — Easter Sunday?

The question is a very natural one, and we find it proposed and answered, even so far back as the fourth century; and that, too, by St Augustine, in his celebrated Epistle to Januarius. The holy Doctor offers this explanation: We solemnize the day of our Saviour’s Birth, in order that we may honour that Birth, which was for our salvation; but the precise day of the week, on which he was born, is void of any mystical signification. Sunday, on the contrary, the day of our Lord’s Resurrection, is the day marked, in the Creator’s designs, to express a mystery which was to be commemorated for all ages.

St Isidore of Seville, and the ancient Interpreter of Sacred Rites who, for a long time, was supposed to be the learned Alcuin, have also adopted this explanation of the Bishop of Hippo; and our readers may see their words interpreted by Durandus, in his Rationale.

These writers, then, observe that as, according to a sacred tradition, the creation of man took place on a Friday, and our Saviour suffered death also on a Friday for the redemption of man; that as, moreover, the Resurrection of our Lord was on the third day after his death, that is, on a Sunday, which is the day on which the Light was created, as we learn from the Book of Genesis — the two Solemnities of Jesus’ Passion and Resurrection,’ says St Augustine, ‘ do not only remind us of those divine facts; but they moreover represent and signify some other mysterious and holy thing.’

And yet we are not to suppose that because the Feast of Jesus’ Birth is not fixed to any particular day of the week, there is no mystery expressed by its being always on the twenty-fifth of December. For firstly we may observe, with the old Liturgists, that the Feast of Christmas is kept by turns on each of the days of the week, that thus its holiness may cleanse and rid them of the curse which Adam’s sin had put upon them.

But secondly, the great mystery of the twenty-fifth of December, being the Feast of our Saviour’s Birth, has reference, not to the division of time marked out

by God himself, which is called the Week; but to the course of that great Luminary which gives life to the world, because it gives it light and warmth. Jesus, our Saviour, the Light of the World, 1 was born when the night of idolatry and crime was at its darkest; and the day of his Birth, the twenty-fifth of December, is that on which the material Sun begins to gain his ascendency over the reign of gloomy night, and show to the world his triumph of brightness.

18th December 2020 Catholic Voice

THE MYSTERY OF CHRISTMAS 29

In our ‘Advent’ we showed, after the Holy Fathers, that the diminution of the physical light may be considered as emblematic of those dismal times which preceded the Incarnation. We joined our prayers with those of the people of the Old Testament; and, with our holy Mother the Church, we cried out to the Divine Orient, the Sun of Justice, that he would deign to come and deliver us from the twofold death of body and soul. God has heard our prayers; and it is on the day of the Winter Solstice — which the Pagans of old made so much of by their fears and rejoicings — that he gives us both the increase of the natural light, and Him who is the Light of our souls.

St Gregory of Nyssa, St Ambrose, St Maximus of Turin, St Leo, St Bernard, and the principal Liturgists, dwell with complacency on this profound mystery, which the Creator of the universe has willed should mark both the natural and the supernatural world. We shall find the Church also making continual allusion to it during this season of Christmas, as she did in that of Advent.

‘On this the Day which the Lord hath made,’ says St Gregory of Nyssa, ‘darkness decreases, light increases, and Night is driven back again. No, brethren, it is not by chance, nor by any created will, that this natural change begins on the day when he shows himself in the brightness of his coming, which is the spiritual Life of the world.

It is Nature revealing, under this symbol, a secret to them whose eye is quick enough to see it; to them, I mean, who are able to appreciate this circumstance of our Saviour’s coming. Nature seems to me to say: Know, O Man! that under the things which I show thee Mysteries lie concealed. Hast thou not seen the night, that had grown so long, suddenly checked? Learn hence, that the black night of Sin, which had reached its height by the accumulation of every guilty device, is this day stopped in its

course. Yes, from this day forward its duration shall be shortened, until at length there shall be naught but Light. Look, I pray thee, on the Sun; and see how his rays are stronger, and his position higher in the heavens: learn from that how the other Light, the Light of the Gospel, is now shedding itself over the whole earth.’

‘Let us, my Brethren, rejoice,’ cries out St Augustine: ‘this day is sacred, not because of the visible sun, but because of the Birth of him who is the invisible Creator of the sun... He chose this day whereon to be born, as he chose the Mother of whom to be born, and he made both the day and the Mother. The day he chose was that on which the light begins to increase, and it typifies the work of Christ, who renews our interior man day by day. For the eternal Creator having willed to be born in time, his Birthday would necessarily be in harmony with the rest of his creation.’

The same holy Father, in another sermon for the same Feast, gives us the interpretation of a mysterious expression of St John Baptist, which admirably confirms the tradition of the Church. The great Precursor said on one occasion, when speaking of Christ: He must increase, but I must decrease. These prophetic

words signify, in their literal sense, that the Baptist’s mission was at its close, because Jesus was entering upon his. But they convey, as St Augustine assures us, a second meaning: ‘John came into this world at the season of the year when the length of the day decreases; Jesus was born in the season when the length of the day increases.’ Thus, there is mystery both in the rising of that glorious Star, the Baptist, at the summer solstice: and in the rising of our Divine Sun in the dark season of winter.’

There have been men who dared to scoff at Christianity as a superstition, because they discovered that the ancient Pagans used to keep a feast of the sun on the winter solstice!

In their shallow erudition they concluded that a Religion could not be divinely instituted, which had certain rites or customs originating in an analogy to certain phenomena of this world: in other words, these writers denied what Revelation asserts, namely, that God only created this world for the sake of his Christ and his Church. The very facts which these enemies of our holy Religion brought forward as objections to the true Faith are, to us Catholics, additional proof of its being worthy of our most devoted love.

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EGO EIMI - IT IS I

“May the present book of Rev. Fr. de Malleray FSSP, a beautiful and impressive “paper shrine to the Most Holy Eucharist”, have a wide diffusion and be a practical spiritual aid in order to renew the Catholic Faith, the Catholic Love and the Catholic Worship of the Sacrament of the Most Holy Eucharist.” + Athanasius Schneider.

“This highly readable, informative, and edifying treatise on the Holy Eucharist will enrich the understanding and devotion of Catholics regardless of their prior knowledge of the subject: I recommend it wholeheartedly.” Dr Joseph Shaw PhD,

SCIENCE SAYS NO

In this book, Dr. van den Aardweg debunks many of the myths created by the global homosexualist movement. The argument for gay “marriage” is exposed as a deception in this ground breaking book. For many years the public has been indoctrinated with unfounded assertions which in fact are no more than modern fairy tales sold as science. In other words, as regards homosexuality, people hear and read mostly lies. The book explains why the deception is possible and shows why no assertion of the gay ideology has been scientifically validated. €/£9 inc p&p Ireland €/£10.50 inc p&p outside Ireland

SIN AND ITS CONSEQUENCES

This really is a fantastic book which presents Catholic teaching on sin in a simple, clear and precise way. You will learn about the nature of sin, about the different kinds of sin, mortal and venial, formal and material sins.

Reflections on the Abortion Issue in Ireland.

Oxf, Chairman of The Latin Mass Society.

The book also teaches us about sins of omission. After discussing sin, the book then speaks of the great graces offered to us in the sacrament of confession, it teaches us about temptations, about Christ’s suffering and death on the cross, and then it finishes with a very hope filled chapter on the joys of the resurrection.

Many countries, including Ireland, have removed the right to life from the Constitution and given the legislature the power to legalise abortion, which by definition is the intentional killing of the unborn child.

The assumption is that unborn babies have no human rights. The essays in this monograph expose the fallacy that unborn babies do not have the right to life and may be ‘terminated’ if that is the ‘choice’ of the mother. In the New Ireland, human killing is now legal. It is estimated that 800 – 900 unwanted unborn babies are ‘terminated’ every month. Abortion has become the murder machine of our time.”

€/£9 inc p&p Ireland €/£12 inc p&p outside Ireland

€/£10 inc p&p Ireland €/£12 inc p&p outside Ireland

€/£13.50 inc p&p Ireland €/£15 inc p&p outside Ireland

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CLASSIFIEDS 31

18th December 2020 Catholic Voice

CLASSIFIEDS From Our Lady of Fatima Do you want peace in the world?

Will you do what Our Lady tells you?

Say the Rosary every day.

Do the Five First Saturdays in honour of the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

Those who spread this devotion will be placed by Our Lady as flowers before the throne of Almighty God. Next issue of

CatholicVoice On sale in churches, newsagents & bookshops from

31 December 2020

TELEPHONE 00353 59 8627268

REGULAR TRADITIONAL LATIN MASSES IN IRELAND (LISTED BY DIOCESE)

DAILY & WEEKLY Armagh: New Mellifont Abbey, Collon, Co. Louth; Every Sunday 3pm.

Cork & Ross: Ss Peter’s & Paul’s, Cork: Sundays 12.00 noon Mon -Sat 10.00am.

Dromore: St.Mary’s, Newry: Sundays and Holydays 09.00.

Dublin: St. Kevin’s, Harrington Street: Sundays & non working Holy Days: 10.30; Mon - Fri 08.00; Sat 09.00.

Working Holidays & First Fridays; 08.00 and 19.00.

Dublin: St. Joseph’s, Newtownmountkennedy, Co Wicklow; Sat 11.00 Limerick: Sacred Heart, The Crescent (ICKSP); Sun10.30; Mon-Thurs 08.00 and 19.00; Friday 19.00; Saturday 08.00 & 12.00 noon.

Meath: Silverstream Priory (Benedictine monks) Stamullen: Sunday 10.00 preceded by Terce, other days 11.00.

Meath: Johnstown, Navan: Sundays 13.00; Holydays as announced.

Ossory: St. Patrick’s, College Rd, Kilkenny; Sundays 17.00.

Raphoe: St. Patrick’s, Drumkeen, Co. Donegal Sundays 11.00am.

Down & Connor: St. Therese of Lisieux, Somerton Rd, Belfast :Sundays at 4pm TWICE MONTHLY Ferns: St. Alphonsus, Barntown, Co Wexford: Second Sunday 17.00 and occasional Third Sundays Derry: St. Columba’s , Longtower: First and Third Sunday 14.00.

Waterford: St. John’s Church, Parnell Street, Waterford City - 1pm on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of the Month.

MONTHLY Armagh: St. Patrick’s, Dungannon, Co Tyrone: First Saturday 14.00.

Cork & Ross: St. Francis , Liberty St. Cork : First Saturday 13.00.

Derry: St. Marys, Aughabrack, Co Tyrone: Fourth Sunday 12.45 Elphin: St. John’s, carraoe, Co Sligo ; Last Sunday 15.00.

Killaloe: St. Joseph’s, Ennis, Co Clare: First Sunday 17.30.

Tuam: St. John the Baptist, (Old Parish Church), Knock, Co Mayo; Second Sunday 17.30.

Every effort has been made to ensure this list is up to date. Please contact the Latin Mass Society of Ireland of any changes or errors. email president@latinmassireland.com

Visit our all-new website today!

Mass Cards

Enrollment Books

All Occasion Gifts

It’s now easier than ever to have Mass cards, enrolment books & religious gifts delivered directly to your door.

Web: www.mscmissions.ie Email: info@mscmissions.ie Tel: +353 (0)21 4545704

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Catholic Voice

18th December 2020

‘OUR LADY OF KNOCK, QUEEN OF IRELAND, YOU GAVE HOPE TO YOUR PEOPLE IN A TIME OF DISTRESS AND COMFORTED THEM IN SORROW’

Unique Eucharistic Marian Shrine, Knock, Co Mayo, Ireland

The Knock Apparition August 21st 1879 Our Lady of Knock, Queen of Ireland, in the name of your Son, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, Who is really, truly and substantially present in the Most Holy Sacrament of the Altar please intervene, with immediate effect, and create an inviolable pathway for the inauguration on the 20th of January 2021 of a Pro Life and Pro Family President. May he then carry out God’s Holy Will as Commander-in-Chief of the United States of America.

Also, please continuously protect and enlighten him, his family, his administration and his supporters against all enemies both foreign and domestic, spiritual and corporeal. Thank You. E.C. 04/December/2020.

Published by: Catholic Voice Newspapers, St Michael’s House, Castlemitchell South, Athy, County Kildare. Tel 059-8627268 ROI / 00353 - 59 8627268 Publisher: Anthony Murphy.

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