Defending the faith in charity

My favourite Catholic evangelist is Matt Fradd. I'd listened to a number of his talks about purity and also defending Catholic teachings. 

I like the way he uses humour and personal stories to illustrate his points. It wasn't until recently that I realised that he prefers the Traditional Latin Mass. 

This debate below is a wonderful example of how we can debate with other people in a loving but powerful way. Matt Fradd is speaking with a former Catholic, Baptist Pastor. 

http://mattfradd.com/my-interview-with-ex-catholic-baptist-pastor/

My favourite quotations include:

"I would call it a deformation not reformation."

"You were taught using the Baltimore Catechism? Good! I teach my children from the same catechism."

"There's a lot of misunderstanding about Vatican II ... Latin should have pride of place ... it's not that the priest had his back to the people but was praying with the people."

German Bishops' Conference: let's scrap the tax and start proclaiming the faith!

In a remarkable about turn, Cardinal Marx, President of the German Bishops' Conference will release a statement on the morning of April 1st declaring his support for an end to the infamous Church tax so that they might concentrate on teaching the Gospel.

Cardinal Marx will state at a press conference, "For far too long the German church has been more focussed on money rather than the faith. In the spirit of Pope Francis' call for a poorer church we will now ask for an end to the church tax which has driven people away from the pews. Our focus will now be evangelisation, including teaching the truth about marriage and the family - something we have failed to do in recent years."

Pope Francis has not yet commented although has a packed schedule on the same day as shall offering an older form Pontifical Mass with the Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate and asking their forgiveness for all the persecution they suffered over the last two years. 

The Holy Name of Jesus

Today is the Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus in the older calendar of the Roman Rite. 

The liturgy and the scriptures and prayers within highlight the great power of the name of Jesus. It is a reminder that this name alone is a powerful prayer, it makes

Satan flee and should be used only in prayer or with the utmost respect. There is also an indulgence attached to the invocation of the Holy Name. 

The liturgy both before and after Vatican II  insists that we bow every time the name of Jesus is mentioned and of course to use the name as a swear word is a grave sin - sacralige. I recently read that traditionally Catholiics would pray, "Blessed be the name of The Lord" when they heard this name being use blasphemously - this would be a great custom to restore. 

May we grow in love for Christ and His Holy Name daily. 

Reflections on my son's baptism

My son has become a born again Christian in a Bible believing Church - that's right he was baptised in the older form of the Roman Rite as a Catholic at 22 days old. 

The anniversary of the date my son was baptised will always be a sacred day in my family. It was a wonderful coincidence that the Gospel reading at our traditional, Latin Mass on that day, the fourth Sunday in Advent, spoke of the baptism of John the Baptist and that the "O Antiphon" for the day was "O Rex Gentium" on the day he was adopted into Christ's Royal Family. 

I was reflecting on what message to share with him today and to remind him of every time this anniversary comes around:

"My son, my prayer for you is that as you grow you will seek Our Lord with your whole mind, heart and soul and commit your life to Him and love His Church. May you gradually understand what Christ did for you on the cross and respond by being gracious, forgiving others and accepting forgiveness when you fall.  Your mother and I love you very much and we always will but His love is so much greater. Trust in Christ and allow Him to transform you daily. Amen"

I pray that he will always treasure Christ as St Joseph treasured Him and will love the Blessed Virgin Mary too as his patron did and still does.  My prayer that he will always love the Catholic Church, His bride for whom He gave up His life. Please say a quick prayer for my son and for my family at this most joyful time. 

Why don't so many men go to Mass?

Fr Z has written an article about why so few men go to Mass nowadays and to be honest I agree.

I would go to Mass regardless but am soblessed  to be able to worship in the older rite in Hong Kong which is manly and solemn - not emasculating as what often passes for liturgy nowadays. 

As a child I'd be embarrassed being asked to do elephant impressions and various other actions during children's Masses - this isn't a criticism of Vatican II but some of what can often happen nowadays. 

In the older form of Mass I feel I can pray, worship, be silent and adore God. 

Deo gratias for Pope Benedict's decision to free the older form and Pope Francis' decision to support it.