The Anti-Modernist

Catholics Know the Answer have put up another excellent video, and considering my entry regarding the Christmas celebration not being pagan, I thought this would be great to share. Merry Christmas.

Wishing everyone a very Mer ry Christmas ! Remember among today's festivities to give honor to our Lord in every thought , word and deed, and to attend Holy Mass . God bless you all.

Around this time of year, there are always people asserting that Christmas is a pagan holiday. While it may be true that there are pagan festivities around the time of Christmas, there is no writing among the Church Fathers, nor within the Church to support the subversion of the pagan holidays. If one were to examine the Church Fathers, they would find admonitions against associating Christ with pagan gods, especially that of the Sun God, and this was being done as early as Tertullian. The question then arises of why did the Church pick December 25th for the date of Christ's birth? The frank answer is that they believed it to be so, but before I get to that, many wish to associate Christmas with the feast of Sol Invictus. However, it should be noted that this feast, which essentially replaced worship to Mithras, did not occur until 274 AD. Yet, it may be found that Christian communities were already celebrating the birth of Christ circa 200 AD; consequently, the date varied fro...

I am always delighted when I see Catholics answering the call to evangelize, teach and share the faith with others, and it has been noted that the new domain for exchange is the internet and mass media. Answering this call has been a relatively new group called " Catholics Know The Answer ", based out of the Philippines, who is actively engaging and sharing the faith on Facebook with excellent images, videos, and writing. I would strongly encourage anyone who is keen to learn more about the Catholic faith, or perhaps gain something worthwhile to share with family and friends to visit their Facebook page. What I am posting up now are two videos which were recently shared on their group page, and though I am one who sees a lot of "Catholic" media, I had not seen these before. I think they are worthwhile and they convey an excellent message in a short amount of time. It is wonderful to watch for you own edification, but also with your family and friends who may...

As we are in the season of Advent with Christmas just around the corner, I thought it proper to share this video to spark some thought, and to keep Christ in Christmas.

I continue to encounter a growing number of people who are interested in the Traditional Latin Mass, but are sometimes intimidated because they do not know when to stand, kneel or sit. It is for this reason that I decided to share an insert that had come with one of my missals, which will eliminate this problem for most. I hope for those who have questions, this will help. *Please note that some places have their own customs, and in such event follow the custom. If you would like the know the difference between the types of Masses, you can visit:  http://www.newliturgicalmovement.org/2007/11/basic-differences-between-low-sung-and.html

As we come to the close of the liturgical season, I cannot help but once again notice how the readings foretell of the end of time; nevertheless, we are sufficiently reminded that though there be signs that no one know when the end will come. I probably sound like a broken record in this regard to the regular church goer, but I wish to make the point that people need not worry about prophecies regarding the “end times” about how or even exactly when the end of the world will occur because our Master has said that no one will know the hour of His return. He has told us that there will be many false prophets; therefore, there are much more important things to attend to, as we have no control over the end of the world. I feel it appropriate to write a bit regarding the "end" because it has been reoccurring issue in my life. When I was catechism teacher, one question that was continually posted to me was about the end of the world being in 2012, and if one were to spend ...

There is much to be thankful for on Thanksgiving, but nothing is greater than the sacrifice of Christ made on Calvary and which is offered daily on our altars; His Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity is offered for us. The sacrificial offering is appropriately called the Eucharist and He nourishes us with Himself. Eucharistic Adoration EUCHARIST The true Body and Blood of Jesus Christ, who is really and substantially present under the appearances of bread and wine, in order to offer himself in the sacrifice of the Mass and to be received as spiritual food in Holy Communion. It is called Eucharist, or "thanksgiving," because at its institution at the Last Supper Christ "gave thanks," and by this fact it is the supreme object and act of Christian gratitude to God. Although the same name is used, the Eucharist is any one or all three aspects of one mystery, namely the Real Presence, the Sacrifice, and Communion. As Real Presence, the Eucharist is Christ in his ...

There are many people in this world who are good hearted, and with the best of intentions they seek to help others. Many times words such as social justice are spoken in relation to these efforts. Within the Church, there are many who pursue social justice, but consequently in their pursuit begin to focus on purely temporal issues and neglect the proclamation of Christ. Therefore, I would like to just put up a little blurb by Pope Paul VI as a reminder to those who work in this field or to my brethren who may have to practice apologetics in relation to this issue. Excerpt from Evangelii Nuntiandi: 32. We must not ignore the fact that many, even generous Christians who are sensitive to the dramatic questions involved in the problem of liberation, in their wish to commit the Church to the liberation effort are frequently tempted to reduce her mission to the dimensions of a simply t emporal project. They would reduce her aims to a man-centered goal; the salvation of which she ...

I thought I would share some sobering truths spoken by Michael Voris (ChurchMilitant.TV) about the Catholic attitude and dissident behavior and failures from those whom we rely upon. I think it echoes my sentiments and my writings, especially those written in  the past week or so. For your viewing pleasure: Link for the new CIA program: http://www.churchmilitant.tv/passthru.php?vidID=ciax-2012-11-12

Just a random thought for today. It's a thought that I hope some people in high places will heed, as it is very sound advice when leading and should give some sparks to reflect on how things are being handled and how folks are being led in the Church. “If words of command are not clear and distinct, if orders are not thoroughly understood, then the general is to blame. But, if orders are clear and the soldiers nevertheless disobey, then it is the fault of their officers.” -Sun Tzu I know that the punishment following this particular incident for Sun Tzu was quite harsh; nevertheless, it is important that there be punishment and that it be swift. Too many folks have free reign spreading dissident ideas without punishment or reprimand and this leads to disorder. Hence, this is sound advice even in modern circumstances. Directives need to be clear not ambiguous, and while there is a degree of flexibility, those who serve the Church need to be faithful. When clergy or religious con...

I had spent this morning considering society, and the influence of different groups on popular culture and morality. I had originally intended to write a piece pertaining to increasing the Catholic population and by extension changing or influencing the culture at large; after all, the recent election was a reflection of values held popularly by society and when the majority perspectives change so do the laws of the land. This could well lead into a discussion of the tyranny of the majority; however, I do not wish to approach that topic; rather, I wish to continue on the Catholic demographic. Fertility Rates Back to my initial thinking, I had posited that Catholics having more children would more greatly influence society, but as I began to look at numbers I became dismayed because the largest growing demographic, as far as Catholicism in the United States, is the Latino population; in fact, Latinos in general are the fastest growing group in the United States. So, why am I dismaye...

Love... I often hear about love; it is spoken about from the pulpit; it is spoken about in regards to neighbor, but sadly the idea of love or truly charity is often construed as niceness and lack of offense in dealing with others. This often leads to people missing, what I believe to be a fundamental point of being Christian, and that is loving your neighbor as yourself. I say this because if one is a Christian, then they believe Christianity is the way and that what Jesus said is true: “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No man cometh to the Father, but by me” (Jn 14: 6). It would then be truly charitable and loving to share with your neighbor and with all whom you encounter Christ. When a person out of convenience chooses to follow some of the Lord's commandments and disregard others to suit situations or not to offend, then it may be said they are being lukewarm, and this is what the Lord has said about the lukewarm: “I know thy works, that thou art neither cold, nor hot...

I had watched this video a few days back and I think it is a candid reminder of the things we should consider when we dress and prepare for Mass. I hope you enjoy it.

Continuing on from my rant yesterday, it has in fact been confirmed that the Catholic vote did support Obama. Exit polls from CNN show the breakdown by religion- Graphic from CNN.com Exit Polling   What is more telling about the vote, and what I had been alluding to yesterday was the adherence to worship and participation weekly activities, and while this is not exclusively for the Catholic populace, there is a stark difference between those who worship weekly and those who come now and again in their vote. Graphic from CNN.com Exit Polling       There can indeed be other factors to consider, but there is nonetheless a correlation that can be shown between Catholics who voted in line with Catholic teaching and those attend regular Mass, but what is more, some Catholic actually believe that they can deviate from those non-negotiable principles highlighted by the Church to suit their desires and still be in good standing, but in fact have supported in...

It has come to be that Obama has won the 2012 Presidential election, and this is a reality that I must deal with, and quite frankly I expected it, though I had hoped to the contrary. As I sit in front of my computer this evening this evening (early morning in America), there is still something that weighs on my heart and that is the number of Catholic voters who have supported and in fact voted for Obama. I know there are many reasons why one could try  to take a position to support the President, and differences could be cited viewing economic perspectives, healthcare, etc., but these are all secondary considerations to the first right, the right to life, which has been continually suppressed by the current administration as it expands abortion and the contraceptive culture. Also, the furtherance of agendas which undermine family structures and morality. Now it assuredly could not be said that Romney was a champion for the positions I had mentioned; however, when comparing the...

The world is utterly chaotic, and I for one moment cannot deny that fact, but I can also say that in this chaotic world that I find peace. However, I wish not so much to focus upon peace as hope. As I recited the Divine Office, I am quite often moved by many of Psalms, but one that stands out today in my mind is Psalm 35 [36] from Lauds: Ant. O Lord * thy mercy is in heaven Psalm 35 [3] 35:1 The unjust hath said within himself, that he would sin: * there is no fear of God before his eyes. 35:2 For in his sight he hath done deceitfully, * that his iniquity may be found unto hatred. 35:3 The words of his mouth are iniquity and guile: * he would not understand that he might do well. 35:4 He hath devised iniquity on his bed, * he hath set himself on every way that is not good: but evil he hath not hated. 35:5 O Lord, thy mercy is in heaven, * and thy truth reacheth even to the clouds. 35:6 Thy justice is as the mountains of God, * thy judgments are a great deep. 3...

I think it is a common misconception in society, and even among Christians that our brethren are to be perfect, and when they fall short of the mark it is an opportunity to taunt or tempt them. It is true that we are called to be perfect, and this is a constant process, but the failures of a person do not necessarily necessitate that one sound a horn in triumph over them or that we are better. In fact, it should be remembered that race we run is not against them; rather, when we are judged our Lord will gaze upon us to see if we have lived up to what He knew we were capable of. It is he who knows are flaws, vices, weaknesses and shortcomings. Every encounter with those err is opportunity to do one of two things: 1. Charitably correct them and take note of the act ourselves so that we too learn and avoid it. 2. Pray for them. There will be many circumstances where the shortcomings of other will try us, especially those who abide with us and I think this quote by St. Josemaria is qu...

I am an insomniac. I think this has been a recurrent issue for me since my youth, but it is only in adulthood that it has been truly difficult for me. I have difficulty falling asleep and staying asleep. As a result, I find myself rising  about 1am and 3am and so on... It has been the advice of doctors that I do not remain in bed once it becomes apparent that I will not sleep, as this will cause greater anxiety and this of course leaves me with time. I really do not like to waste time, and what I mean by that is that I like to sanctify my time, either by prayer or holy reading. I find that being awake at 1,2 or 3am that I am not always the most attentive; in fact, I can be down right zombie like. Nevertheless, it can be an excellent time to say Matins. Now, there will be some who read this blog who will know what Matins are, and there will be others who have a question mark above their head, so allow me to elaborate. Matins : The first of the canonical hours. Now replaced s...

I had taken a hiatus of sorts from writing. I think in many ways I had to figure out what I was doing with this blog, and I truthfully began to feel that I had paid too much importance on political events than I should have, which in many respects caused me a great deal of inner despair. I have spent the last few months in more interior and spiritual pursuits, which I felt have settled me quite a bit and perhaps I can now return to writing, but writing in the fashion which I had begun...in a more informative and prayerful fashion to help and inform faithful Catholics or those searching.

I have just returned from my trip to the United States, and it has indeed been both refreshing and reaffirming. It has been refreshing because I have had the opportunity to visit my family, who I had not seen in almost a year and half, and being with family is always good. It has been reaffirming because it has reaffirmed my faith and given me the opportunity to participate in wide range of religious activities, from feeding the hungry with the Franciscans of the Renewal , to attending Latin Mass, to participating in some very reverent Novus Ordo Masses. I only wish that so many activities existed in Singapore. Without a doubt there are many things to do, but the abundance of Masses and Divine Liturgies, volunteer activities, and Church related functions are not comparable; nevertheless, I would still choose to live in Asia. Of my many experiences, a few stand out in my mind. The greatest of these is the fact that no matter my location there always seems to be parish within walking ...

Yesterday was a First Holy Communion Day for me. My wife and I traveled back from Singapore and have been in the United States for the last 5 days in anticipation of this glorious event for my niece. Needless to say, we spent a great deal of time ourselves preparing for this event, praying for our niece and the other children who were to receive and attending daily Mass. Yet, and to my surprise, I would have never have thought that I would feel compelled to do Act of Reparation following what is supposed to be such a monumental and joyous occasion. So what was wrong? Adults are supposed to set the example for children, especially as to the standard of behavior and how to reverence to the Eucharist. The First Holy Communion of the children was a Mass, and our Lord was present in the tabernacle; however, aside from the customary genuflection, almost no one knelt to pray or to prepare themselves for Mass. In fact, it became so loud in the church that the sister who was overseeing the ...

Tolerance...LOL Liberals speak of tolerance when it suits their agenda, not when it opposes their point of view. Let us continue to defend the true definition of marriage and do so with honor and dignity. Cor Iesu Sacratissimum, miserere nobis.

Just read from Rorate Caeli via La Stampa: The Superior of the Society of Saint Pius X has signed the doctrinal preamble proposed by the Holy See, even if with some slight modifications ANDREA TORNIELLI CITTÀ DEL VATICANO The response of the Society of Saint Pius X has arrived in the Vatican and it is positive: according to the informal information gathered by  Vatican Insider , Bishop Bernard Fellay would have signed the doctrinal preamble that the Holy See had proposed last September as a condition to reach full communion and canonical regularization. An official confirmation of the received response should take place in the next few hours. From what has been learned, the text of the preamble sent by Fellay proposed some non-substantial modifications regarding the version delivered by the Vatican authorities: as it may be recalled, the same  Ecclesia Dei  Commission had not willed to make the document (of [only] two, yet complex, pages) public, precisely because...

It looks like there may be some good news on the horizon so I just wanted to share from Vatican Insider : Fellay replies. The Society of St. Pius X might be awarded the status of “Personal prelature” by the pope himself Andrea Tornielli Vatican City   The Holy See and the Society of St Pius X, founded by Mgr. Marcel Lefebvre, might come to an agreement in matter of days, or even hours. The Superior General of the Society, Bishop Bernard Fellay, apparently signed a new version of the doctrinal preamble, which he had been given last September by cardinal William Levada, Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith and president of the pontifical commission Ecclesia Dei.   Officially the Vatican is still waiting for Fellay’s reply. On the 16th of March the bishop had been asked to make a final decision. But according to the information gathered by the Vatican expert Jean-Marie Guenois, who works for the French magazine Le Figaro, unofficiall...

I was contacted by a friend regarding the article Nebraska Couple Watches Their Baby Die Because of New Law and asked to share my thoughts on it and their desire have the baby aborted. After writing it, I thought I would share it, so here it is: Dear ..., My thoughts on the subject... It is obviously a heart wrenching subject, and it is always emotionally charged when anyone speaks about the suffering of a child, but that does not, in my opinion, allow or justify the destruction of innocent human life. It could be argued that the baby was not likely to survive because of its age, 20 weeks, which is in part true, as I have never read of any case of any baby surviving that was below 22 weeks; nevertheless, that still does not justify the mercy killing of a baby. Essentially, that is what it would be, if were not be considered direct abortion, then we would have to consider it euthanizing in some abstract form; however, the end does not justify the means. The end in this r...

As we are in the Octave of Easter, it becomes ever more apparent to me that we should be ready, willing and able to give the reason(s) of why there is joy in our heart. During this joyous time, it is adamantly apparent that Jesus suffered greatly for our sins and in His suffering, conquered death freeing us from the bonds of hell, but that is of course based on our decisions, our free will. Looking at our free will, we must then consider that our decision are based upon our knowledge, in addition to our faith relationship, which means that we may believe and that belief is based on the faith and trust in the revelations and teachings of Christ, but how we lead our life is based on the understandings of those teachings, and this is again why giving reasons for our faith becomes ever more important in a world that is increasingly more secular and modernistic. We must not be afraid of speaking the truth or sharing the Word of God. It is a given that at times we will be scorned, ...

A Happy and Blessed Easter to everyone!!!    I have spent the last few weeks in prayer, especially reciting the Divine Office and I am thankful for the experience. I can say that the horrible pain that was tormenting me and tearing at my heart has somewhat lifted and I thank my friends and those who have prayed for me, your prayers have been heard. I have been very fortunate, as I have had the privilege of attending the Traditional Latin Mass more regularly, which has also given me some respite to the pain I had been feeling, but what makes this story even better was that though my week was filled with the traditional liturgy, it was not offered through all of Holy Week, but the Novus Ordo Masses and Service I attended were very reverent; the most reverent I have seen in a long time. They were filled with chant and for the first time a community that seems to finally be understanding that the Mass is not about us! Rather, it is about the sacrifice at the altar. Needle...