Author: Christian Renaissance Movement

I am thankful for many things. Today I note my gratitude to God for a life filled at least with something at least coming close a desire to be virtuous. For family and friends who support, encourage, and correct me. For the opportunity to be in Rome, to study and work and live and pray, and for the opportunities I have to effect significant positive change in people’s lives and even in the global Church. For the glimmers of insight I occasionally have into meaningful things. For the impulse to give thanks for these things rather than presume they are my own… As St. Paul says, “For who distinguisheth thee? Or what hast thou that thou hast not received? And if thou hast received, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?” (1 Cor. 4:7)

Many people will today be “giving thanks” for things and people in their lives – and yet many of them do not believe in God. As the former Archbishop of Philadelphia once pointed out, that is a profoundly embarrassing phenomenon… gratitude to nobody in particular for things not given by anyone at all. We must first of all give thanks to God for His own revelation in our souls, His invitation to know Him.

Happy Thanksgiving… even to my non-American readers!

I’m almost finished reading the great classic, “The Imitation of Christ,” second only to the Bible in translations and copies sold, if I recall correctly… Comment if I’m wrong.

I read this passage today (Chapter XIV of Book 4) and thought I would share. Back to Rome tomorrow. Greetings from Ireland.

“O how great is the abundance of Thy sweetness, O Lord, which Thou hast laid up for them that fear Thee. When I call to mind some devout persons who draw nigh to Thy Sacrament, O Lord, with the deepest devotion and affection, then very often I am confounded in myself and blush for shame, that I approach Thine altar and table of Holy Communion so carelessly and coldly, that I remain so dry and without affection, that I am not wholly kindled with love before Thee, my God, nor so vehemently drawn and affected as many devout persons have been, who out of the very earnest desire of the Communion, and tender affection of heart, could not refrain from weeping, but as it were with mouth of heart and body alike panted inwardly after Thee, O God, O Fountain of Life, having no power to appease or satiate their hunger, save by receiving Thy Body with all joyfulness and spiritual eagerness.

O truly ardent faith of those, becoming a very proof of Thy Sacred Presence! For they verily know their Lord in the breaking of bread, whose heart so ardently burneth within them when Jesus walketh with them by the way. Ah me! far from me for the most part is such love and devotion as this, such vehement love and ardour. Be merciful unto me, O Jesus, good, sweet, and kind, and grant unto Thy poor suppliant to feel sometimes, in Holy Communion, though it be but a little, the cordial affection of Thy love, that my faith may grow stronger, my hope in Thy goodness increase, and my charity, once kindled within me by the tasting of the heavenly manna, may never fail.

But Thy mercy is able even to grant me the grace which I long for, and to visit me most tenderly with the spirit of fervour when the day of Thy good pleasure shall come. For, although I burn not with desire so vehement as theirs who are specially devout towards Thee, yet, through Thy grace, I have a desire after that greatly inflamed desire, praying and desiring to be made partaker with all those who so fervently love Thee, and to be numbered among their holy company.”

Just finishing up a short stay at Maynooth…

St. Patrick’s Seminary at Maynooth (now part of a more complex entity, which includes Maynooth University, one of the bigger colleges in Ireland) has rendered an enormous service to the Church. Thousands and thousands of priests since its founding in 1798, many of whom have served and still do serve abroad as missionaries.

Its main chapel is stunning. Do take a look.

Nobody says that in Ireland.

Also, leprechauns BARELY feature in what has come down to us in scattered fragments of ancient Irish mythology.

All that stuff has much more to do with Boston and New York City than it does with Dublin.

Anyway, please enjoy the following Irish song for your Saturday amusement. It is about Bonnie Prince Charlie (Charles Eduard Stuart) – the voice is Ireland herself, calling for him to come home to her.

Bonnie Prince Charlie was born in the apartment just above a restaurant I frequent in Rome… He was an interesting character. And he is one of the only laymen buried in St. Peter’s Basilica. There’s an odd monument to him in the basilica itself, with his tomb in the grotto underneath. I think it’s in a normally off-limits area, I couldn’t see it last time I was there, if I recall.

Enjoy…

I realized only yesterday that I missed a post, on the 15th… Oh well. It was by accident. We are building the streak again. The 15th was distracting for me, as it marked exactly 6 months until my 100-mile race from Rome to Assisi… More on that later. I remind you that donations are open!

One of the good things about the current pontificate is that it is forcing us to pick up where the serious theological (and especially ecclesiological) discussion left off, in 1870 when the Papal States fell to the Italian unifiers and Vatican I was interrupted – and never really finished.

Since then, we have had the flowering and fruition of the industrial revolution and the beginning and mid-game of the sexual revolution. We have had the invention of the telephone, the car, the airplane, the radio, the television, the internet, the smartphone, and social media. We have had two world wars, a major communist regime within Europe rise and fall, the establishment of the Lateran Pacts (creating “the Vatican”), and the fall of the Kingdom of Italy and the establishment of the Republic. We had another ecumenical council and a major liturgical reform.

We had pretty much uncontroversial papacies during that time… men who didn’t put the office through a stress test. Men who didn’t touch the boundaries of Pius IX’s wild assertion, “I am the tradition.”

I love Blessed Pope Pius IX. He was a wonderful man and a good pope. But he was not a perfect one. And the theological and ecclesiastical moment of Pius IX’s papacy is what is relevant right now for the most pressing ecclesiological questions.

We need to examine his actions and motivations critically. We need to look at the real history of how Pastor Aeternus came to be. (This includes the strange and sad story of the genius theologian Fr. Joseph Kleutgen, SJ, one of the main drafters – who was seduced several times, including by a bisexual murderous “woman priest” who claimed to be a visionary… If Netflix made up a story like this, you’d think it was over the top. But it’s real history. Pius IX resuscitated Kleutgen after he was sent into exile, the positive motivation for which was clear – he was the most brilliant mind available to defend and articulate Pius’ vision for the office of the papacy. He essentially owed the man his life.)

Let’s talk about Pastor Aeternus and what it really means. Let’s talk about its context. Let’s talk about Lamennais and his legacy. Let’s talk about Anton Günther, Father Bautain, Bl. Antonio Rosmini, the positive theologians of the Roman College, Luigi Taparelli, Matteo Liberatore, the start of Civiltà Cattolica, Leo XIII’s social and theological project, the rise of Achille Ratti (Pius XI) in the Ambrosiana and his diplomatic mission between the Pope and the “modernists” of Milan, the “ius exclusivae” (the involvement of certain LAY Catholic monarchs in conclaves, with the right to veto candidates, which was used in the conclave that elected Pius X), let’s talk about the German bishops and their Febronianism and their attitude towards Tübingen…

ALL OF THIS STUFF IS RELEVANT, and ALMOST NOBODY is talking about it, as they are either unaware of its relevance entirely, or they are just plain distracted by 1965 and the “current thing.”

Let’s change that, at least a bit, here on these pages, shall we?

I’m off to Ireland this evening… No real posts from me until next week. Just some fun stuff.

Have a penitential Friday and a happy weekend.

-Eamonn

The following quotes a translation of the introduction to an article from decades ago in Homiletic and Pastoral Review with the so-called (and misnamed) “Sbarretti Standards” issued by the Cardinal-Vicar of Rome, Cardinal Pompilj, and an English translation of a connected letter from 1930 by Cardinal Sbarretti (Prefect of the Sacred Congregation of the Council). There seems to be another 1928 letter which was from the Congregation for Religious, where the root of a lot of the text is, but I will stick with just giving these texts for now.

I found a similar document to the 1930 letter in the Secretary of State archives last year, which had (if I recall) been issued to dioceses by the Cardinal Secretary of State, Pietro Gasparri… It had at least been sent to the Diocese of Trenton in New Jersey.

There is (minimal) doubt about the authenticity of the Standards, but in some weeks I will perhaps find an afternoon to authenticate the document. It will not be that hard.

Be prepared to have your face melted… Especially any women reading. Yes, there is something real to “custom” and “the times,” but there is also something more, isn’t there…

First the letter, then the “Standards”…

Exhortation to Those In Authority Regarding Immodest Fashions in Women’s Dress
Letter Issued from the Sacred Congregation of the Council by order of Pope Pius XI
January 12, 1930
Feast of the Holy Family

By virtue of the supreme apostolate which he wields over the Universal Church by Divine Will, our Most Holy Father Pope Pius XI has never ceased to inculcate, both verbally and by his writings, the words of St. Paul (1 Tim. xi,9-10), namely, “Women … adorning themselves with modesty and sobriety … and professing godliness with good works.” Very often, when occasion arose, the same Supreme Pontiff condemned emphatically the immodest fashion of dress adopted by Catholic women and girls — which fashion not only offends the dignity of women and against her adornment, but conduces to the temporal ruin of the women and girls, and, what is still worse, to their eternal ruin, miserably dragging down others in their fall. It is not surprising, therefore, that all Bishops and other ordinaries, as is the duty of ministers of Christ, should in their own dioceses have unanimously opposed their depraved licentiousness and promiscuity of manners, often bearing with fortitude the derision and mockery leveled against them for this cause. Therefore this Sacred Council, which watches over the discipline of clergy and people, while cordially commending the action of the Venerable Bishops, most emphatically exhorts them to persevere in their attitude and increase their activities insofar as their strength permits, in order that this unwholesome disease be definitely uprooted from human society. In order to facilitate the desired effect, this Sacred Congregation, by the mandate of the Most Holy Father, has decreed as follows:

1. The parish priest, and especially the preacher, when occasion arises, should, according to the words of the Apostle Paul (2 Tim. iv, 2), insist, argue exhort and command that feminine garb be
   based on modesty and womanly ornament be a defense of virtue. Let them likewise admonish parents to cause their daughters to cease wearing indecorous dress.
2. Parents, conscious of their grave obligations toward the education, especially religious and moral, to their offspring, should see to it that their daughters are solidly instructed, from earliest childhood, in Christian doctrine; and they themselves should assiduously inculcate in their souls, by word and example, love for the virtues of modesty and chastity; and since their family should follow the example of the Holy Family, they must rule in such a manner that all its members, reared within the walls of the home, should find reason and incentive to love and preserve
   modesty.
3. Let parents keep their daughters away from public gymnastic games and contests; but if their daughters are compelled to attend such exhibitions, let them see that they are fully and
   modestly dressed. Let them never permit their daughters to don immodest garb.
4. Superioresses and teachers in schools for girls must do their utmost to instill love of modesty in the hearts of maidens confided to their care and urge them to dress modestly.
5. Said Superioresses and teachers must not receive in their colleges and schools immodestly dressed girls, and should not even make an exception in the case of mothers of pupils. If, after being admitted, girls persist in dressing immodestly, such pupils should be dismissed.
6. Nuns, in compliance with the Letter dated August 23, 1928, by the Sacred Congregation of Religious, must not receive in their colleges, schools, oratories or recreation grounds, or, if once
   admitted, tolerate girls who are not dressed with Christian modesty; said Nuns, in addition, should do their utmost so that love for holy chastity and Christian modesty may become deeply
   rooted in the hearts of their pupils.
7. It is desirable that pious organizations of women be founded, which by their counsel, example and propaganda should combat the wearing of apparel unsuited to Christian modesty, and should promote purity of customs and modesty of dress.
8. In the pious associations of women those who dress immodestly should not be admitted to membership; but if, perchance, they are received, and after having been admitted, fall again into their error, they should be dismissed forthwith.
9. Maidens and women dressed immodestly are to be debarred from Holy Communion and from acting as sponsors at the Sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation; further, if the offense be extreme, they may even be forbidden to enter the church.

Donato Cardinal Sbarretti, Prefect
Congregation of the Council
Rome, January 12, 1930
Original letter (Latin) published in Acta Apostolicae Sedis of 1930 (vol. 22, pp. 26-28): http://www.vatican.va/archive/aas/documents/AAS%2022%20%5B1930%5D%20-%20ocr.pdf

Now, the “Sbarretti Standards” which indicate what counts as immodest:

“We recall that a dress cannot be called decent which is cut deeper than two fingers breadth under the pit of the throat, which does not cover the arms at least to the elbow, and scarce reaches a bit below the knee. Furthermore, dresses made of transparent material are improper, as are also flesh-colored stockings which suggests the legs being bare.”

Fire!

More discussion here, where I obtained some of the text…

I read Casti Connubii today, Pius XI’s great encyclical on marriage. I have taken a very great interest in questions of marriage – its importance in society, its interior ethics, and various connected questions. Something I have been adamant about for a while has been that a good marriage preparation course will stress that the point of matrimony, as the sacramental elevation of marriage by Christ, is not merely to have children in the safe bounds of wedlock – it is in fact to offer an incalculable gift to God… A soul which will worship Him forever in Heaven. It is an act of religion.

Pius XI agrees. Here he speaks:

12. How great a boon of God this is, and how great a blessing of matrimony is clear from a consideration of man’s dignity and of his sublime end. For man surpasses all other visible creatures by the superiority of his rational nature alone. Besides, God wishes men to be born not only that they should live and fill the earth, but much more that they may be worshippers of God, that they may know Him and love Him and finally enjoy Him for ever in heaven; and this end, since man is raised by God in a marvelous way to the supernatural order, surpasses all that eye hath seen, and ear heard, and all that hath entered into the heart of man. From which it is easily seen how great a gift of divine goodness and how remarkable a fruit of marriage are children born by the omnipotent power of God through the cooperation of those bound in wedlock.

13. But Christian parents must also understand that they are destined not only to propagate and preserve the human race on earth, indeed not only to educate any kind of worshippers of the true God, but children who are to become members of the Church of Christ, to raise up fellow-citizens of the Saints, and members of God’s household, that the worshippers of God and Our Savior may daily increase.

14. For although Christian spouses even if sanctified themselves cannot transmit sanctification to their progeny, nay, although the very natural process of generating life has become the way of death by which original sin is passed on to posterity, nevertheless, they share to some extent in the blessings of that primeval marriage of Paradise, since it is theirs to offer their offspring to the Church in order that by this most fruitful Mother of the children of God they may be regenerated through the laver of Baptism unto supernatural justice and finally be made living members of Christ, partakers of immortal life, and heirs of that eternal glory to which we all aspire from our inmost heart.

15. If a true Christian mother weigh well these things, she will indeed understand with a sense of deep consolation that of her the words of Our Savior were spoken: “A woman . . . when she hath brought forth the child remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world”; and proving herself superior to all the pains and cares and solicitudes of her maternal office with a more just and holy joy than that of the Roman matron, the mother of the Gracchi, she will rejoice in the Lord crowned as it were with the glory of her offspring. Both husband and wife, however, receiving these children with joy and gratitude from the hand of God, will regard them as a talent committed to their charge by God, not only to be employed for their own advantage or for that of an earthly commonwealth, but to be restored to God with interest on the day of reckoning.

In honor of the African Doctor’s 1,669th birthday, here is the most famous and most stirring passage from his best known work, the first real autobiography in world history, Confessions. It recounts the moment he converted to Christianity, in a garden in Milan, while with his friend Alypius.

Book VIII, Chapter 12

But when a profound reflection had, from the secret depths of my soul, drawn together and heaped up all my misery before the sight of my heart, there arose a mighty storm, accompanied by as mighty a shower of tears. Which, that I might pour forth fully, with its natural expressions, I stole away from Alypius; for it suggested itself to me that solitude was fitter for the business of weeping. So I retired to such a distance that even his presence could not be oppressive to me. Thus was it with me at that time, and he perceived it; for something, I believe, I had spoken, wherein the sound of my voice appeared choked with weeping, and in that state had I risen up. He then remained where we had been sitting, most completely astonished. I flung myself down, how, I know not, under a certain fig-tree, giving free course to my tears, and the streams of my eyes gushed out, an acceptable sacrifice unto You. (1 Peter 2:5) And, not indeed in these words, yet to this effect, spoke I much unto You —But You, O Lord, how long? How long, Lord? Will You be angry for ever? Oh, remember not against us former iniquities; for I felt that I was enthralled by them. I sent up these sorrowful cries —How long, how long? Tomorrow, and tomorrow? Why not now? Why is there not this hour an end to my uncleanness?

I was saying these things and weeping in the most bitter contrition of my heart, when, lo, I heard the voice as of a boy or girl, I know not which, coming from a neighbouring house, chanting, and oft repeating, Take up and read; take up and read. Immediately my countenance was changed, and I began most earnestly to consider whether it was usual for children in any kind of game to sing such words; nor could I remember ever to have heard the like. So, restraining the torrent of my tears, I rose up, interpreting it no other way than as a command to me from Heaven to open the book, and to read the first chapter I should light upon. For I had heard of Antony, that, accidentally coming in while the gospel was being read, he received the admonition as if what was read were addressed to him, Go and sell that you have, and give to the poor, and you shall have treasure in heaven; and come and follow me. (Matthew 19:21) And by such oracle was he immediately converted unto You. So quickly I returned to the place where Alypius was sitting; for there had I put down the volume of the apostles, when I rose thence. I grasped, opened, and in silence read that paragraph on which my eyes first fell —Not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying; but put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof. (Romans 13:13-14) No further would I read, nor did I need; for instantly, as the sentence ended — by a light, as it were, of security infused into my heart — all the gloom of doubt vanished away.

Closing the book, then, and putting either my finger between, or some other mark, I now with a tranquil countenance made it known to Alypius. And he thus disclosed to me what was wrought in him, which I knew not. He asked to look at what I had read. I showed him; and he looked even further than I had read, and I knew not what followed. This it was, verily, Him that is weak in the faith, receive; (Romans 14:1) which he applied to himself, and discovered to me. By this admonition was he strengthened; and by a good resolution and purpose, very much in accord with his character (wherein, for the better, he was always far different from me), without any restless delay he joined me. Thence we go in to my mother. We make it known to her — she rejoices. We relate how it came to pass — she leaps for joy, and triumphs, and blesses You, who art able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think; (Ephesians 3:20) for she perceived You to have given her more for me than she used to ask by her pitiful and most doleful groanings. For Thou so converted me unto Yourself, that I sought neither a wife, nor any other of this world’s hopes, — standing in that rule of faith in which Thou, so many years before, had showed me unto her in a vision. And you turned her grief into a gladness, much more plentiful than she had desired, and much dearer and chaster than she used to crave, by having grandchildren of my body.

Happy birthday, St. Augustine. Pray for us!

Friends,

It is hard to write this column. Harder than I thought it would be. All I can say this week is that Rome is still here. People are still showing up for mass, every day, in hundreds of churches. Ordinations are happening, solemn vows being taken, prayers being offered to God. The world keeps moving, and Rome is still much the same as it always has been.

I committed to write this column every Sunday, but it is hard.

So much good goes on here. But much of it is the same, week in and week out. But maybe it’s worth dwelling on the normalcies of Roman life… not just singular events.

Let me think about it.

A domani…
-Eamonn

I had a weird and sort of unpleasant day yesterday. I won’t go into why.

Obviously, a lot of American Catholics are having a bit of sadness and dulled shock over the news in Texas. I won’t comment on all that for multiple reasons, also to be left unexplained.

Anyway, both things lead me to this: love your enemies, pray for those who persecute you.

We should love those who are our enemies because God loves them. If we love God, we love those He loves – we want the same things for them, primarily His friendship and its consummation in Heaven. We pray for those who persecute us because we love them in this way.

Feel the splinters? It’s the Cross.

That’s Christianity.