So very well said Bishop Strickland!!!! Having been a priest for 32 years I find that my one overriding liturgical “philosophy” is to undo Msgr. Bugnini’s attempt to dismantle the Mass by adding all kinds of options. Your “staircase” analogy is well suited here. (BTW, Bugnini was “in charge” of forming the New Mass and it was his briefcase that was found after a meeting that led Pope Paul VI to transfer him to Tehran, Iran!!!! Do you know how many Catholics are in Tehran?). In talking with brother priests of the same age, we wonder why the 1962 Latin Mass could not be celebrated in the vernacular? But barring that, I try to use whatever legitimate options in the Roman Missal that closely approximate the 1962 Missal e.g. Ad orientem is the presumed direction while “facing the people” is the option. In my doctoral studies I came across a periti or “expert” who assisted the Vatican II bishops. Although I currently forget his name, he was very liberal and a big “mover and shaker” following Vatican II. Anyhow, he stated that the documents of Vatican II were purposely written in a way that both liberals and conservatives could read the same paragraph and interpret it as they liked. Hence, “Spirit of Vatican II” versus the Letter of Vatican II emerged into the “Ape of the Church.” Finally, I quote my priest friend who has since passed on, “Vatican II made a gambit with the World—and lost.”
Bishop Joseph, you have outdone yourself with this excellent historical review of the Holy Mass and the Sacraments. You have set the course straight for Truth to reign supreme.
Your Excellency, thank you for your consistent courage in defending the true Church. Thank you, also, for educating us on these important teachings and history of the faith. It is comforting to have a source like you that we can rely upon to provide true and orthodox teaching. May God protect you and reward you for your courage!
It is rather obvious Pope Francis, and those who approve of his unorthodox pronouncements, have no intention of following this course. He has not corrected any of his statements and has broken with Church Doctrine and Tradition, as handed down by his predecessors.
Furthermore, Pope Francis has ostracized many prelates and priests for their outspoken defense of the Faith, including yourself. He refuses to give credence to those who could help him heal the many wounds in The Church.
Faithful, articulate, formed in Truth as the basis of true ‘pastoral care’, courageous, audacious and ‘episcopal’ in the true sense of the Greek, you share the great legacy of the true Faith with all who read your words, a great cause for true rejoicing on this Sunday of Gaudete!
Thank you Excellency for your courage and clarity of thought concerning Lex Orandi, Lex Credenti and how they specifically pertain to celebrating the true Roman Liturgy.
You are a great gift to all who know and love you for your expressed love of Jesus and His spouse the Church. Know of my personal daily prayers for you as you go forward to meet what all true believers we know as saints eventually encounter: martyerin
BTW, my doctoral studies were ‘all but dissertation.’ Bp. Strickland please put quotes marks around Archbishop Lefebvre’s long citation or indent it. In reading it, it becomes confusing as to whether they are his or your words.
Hmmm. I do think that is the reason. In my experience what happened is that he wrote it in a program (e.g. Word) and then cut and pasted it into Substack that doesn’t follow indentation from another software program. I say this because this has happened to me. Also, ethically one should give credit to the person you are quoting by either putting the quote marks or indentation.
BISHPOP STRICKLAND, I AM 88 AND LIFELONG CATHOLIC FAITHFUL TO MY BAPTISM AND TEACHINGS OF THE CHURCH AS ARE YOU AND OTHERS WHO WERE PERSECUTED WHILE FAITHFU AS YOU ARE. I HONOR YOU AS PRIEST, BISHOP, AND PASTOR IN PRAYER AS I AM TO STAND WITH THOSE WHO ARE DOING THE SAME FOR GOD WILL CONTINUE AFFIRMING US!
Use of the metaphor “staircase” for the Church is ingenious. Whereas, “Barque of Peter” or “boat” is typically used, the “staircase” with its many steps conjures the thought, one should somehow avoid a weakened step in order to advance.
Given the number of replacement steps the present hierarchy has made, how would any member, including His Holiness, be able to advance on the “staircase” without falling? Clearly, they have not given enough consideration about the effects of their actions on themselves or the Universal Church.
I was born in 1959. It is sad to know that the deconstruction of the "faith of my fathers" was underway when I was very small. Thank God my parents had a rock solid catechism and Catholic faith, which they passed on to me. I live 2.5 hours from the nearest Latin Mass, so on Sundays, I attend the best of the Novus Ordos available in my area. But my heart, mind and soul are with the faith and practices that preceded those of VII, and that will take its place in the time to come, God willing. Such a comfort to read the words of the good bishop - a voice crying out in the wilderness, to be sure.
Archbishop Lefebvre replied, “What is that church? I know not a conciliar church. I am Catholic!”
Proclaim to the world that Jesus Christ is Savior and Lord of all. Jesus Christ is King.
St. Pope John Paul II, “We must defend the truth at all costs, even if we are reduced to just twelve again.”
Thank you, Bishop Strickland for continually speaking TRUTH to power. I pray there will be a time when the wall of lies built around the TRUE Church will fall due to the Searing Light and Power of Truth.
Thank you for your letter. Love the staircase of St Joseph metaphor. Your points expressed are so beautifully and clearly written for our understanding. Appreciate your continued guidance and teachings. You will always be our Shepherd as a successor of the Apostles.
Thank you, Bishop Strickland, for your remarkable words. You continue to show yourself as a faithful pastor of souls with concern for the universal Church. Perhaps you have been striped of your diocese of Tyler, but the Lord has given you a new ministry for his whole flock. May God continue to inspire you in leading countless souls back to the Traditions of the Roman Church and the salvation of souls.
So very well said Bishop Strickland!!!! Having been a priest for 32 years I find that my one overriding liturgical “philosophy” is to undo Msgr. Bugnini’s attempt to dismantle the Mass by adding all kinds of options. Your “staircase” analogy is well suited here. (BTW, Bugnini was “in charge” of forming the New Mass and it was his briefcase that was found after a meeting that led Pope Paul VI to transfer him to Tehran, Iran!!!! Do you know how many Catholics are in Tehran?). In talking with brother priests of the same age, we wonder why the 1962 Latin Mass could not be celebrated in the vernacular? But barring that, I try to use whatever legitimate options in the Roman Missal that closely approximate the 1962 Missal e.g. Ad orientem is the presumed direction while “facing the people” is the option. In my doctoral studies I came across a periti or “expert” who assisted the Vatican II bishops. Although I currently forget his name, he was very liberal and a big “mover and shaker” following Vatican II. Anyhow, he stated that the documents of Vatican II were purposely written in a way that both liberals and conservatives could read the same paragraph and interpret it as they liked. Hence, “Spirit of Vatican II” versus the Letter of Vatican II emerged into the “Ape of the Church.” Finally, I quote my priest friend who has since passed on, “Vatican II made a gambit with the World—and lost.”
Bishop Joseph, you have outdone yourself with this excellent historical review of the Holy Mass and the Sacraments. You have set the course straight for Truth to reign supreme.
Psalm 51:6
“You desire truth in the inward being;
therefore teach me wisdom in my secret heart.”
Your Excellency, thank you for your consistent courage in defending the true Church. Thank you, also, for educating us on these important teachings and history of the faith. It is comforting to have a source like you that we can rely upon to provide true and orthodox teaching. May God protect you and reward you for your courage!
It is rather obvious Pope Francis, and those who approve of his unorthodox pronouncements, have no intention of following this course. He has not corrected any of his statements and has broken with Church Doctrine and Tradition, as handed down by his predecessors.
Furthermore, Pope Francis has ostracized many prelates and priests for their outspoken defense of the Faith, including yourself. He refuses to give credence to those who could help him heal the many wounds in The Church.
Faithful, articulate, formed in Truth as the basis of true ‘pastoral care’, courageous, audacious and ‘episcopal’ in the true sense of the Greek, you share the great legacy of the true Faith with all who read your words, a great cause for true rejoicing on this Sunday of Gaudete!
Thank you Excellency for your courage and clarity of thought concerning Lex Orandi, Lex Credenti and how they specifically pertain to celebrating the true Roman Liturgy.
You are a great gift to all who know and love you for your expressed love of Jesus and His spouse the Church. Know of my personal daily prayers for you as you go forward to meet what all true believers we know as saints eventually encounter: martyerin
BTW, my doctoral studies were ‘all but dissertation.’ Bp. Strickland please put quotes marks around Archbishop Lefebvre’s long citation or indent it. In reading it, it becomes confusing as to whether they are his or your words.
I do think that is NOT the reason.
Perhaps it was intentional to not indicate a quotation as his excellency has made it clear he wants to take those words and make them his own.
Hmmm. I do think that is the reason. In my experience what happened is that he wrote it in a program (e.g. Word) and then cut and pasted it into Substack that doesn’t follow indentation from another software program. I say this because this has happened to me. Also, ethically one should give credit to the person you are quoting by either putting the quote marks or indentation.
BISHPOP STRICKLAND, I AM 88 AND LIFELONG CATHOLIC FAITHFUL TO MY BAPTISM AND TEACHINGS OF THE CHURCH AS ARE YOU AND OTHERS WHO WERE PERSECUTED WHILE FAITHFU AS YOU ARE. I HONOR YOU AS PRIEST, BISHOP, AND PASTOR IN PRAYER AS I AM TO STAND WITH THOSE WHO ARE DOING THE SAME FOR GOD WILL CONTINUE AFFIRMING US!
Use of the metaphor “staircase” for the Church is ingenious. Whereas, “Barque of Peter” or “boat” is typically used, the “staircase” with its many steps conjures the thought, one should somehow avoid a weakened step in order to advance.
Given the number of replacement steps the present hierarchy has made, how would any member, including His Holiness, be able to advance on the “staircase” without falling? Clearly, they have not given enough consideration about the effects of their actions on themselves or the Universal Church.
So well said! Thank you!
I was born in 1959. It is sad to know that the deconstruction of the "faith of my fathers" was underway when I was very small. Thank God my parents had a rock solid catechism and Catholic faith, which they passed on to me. I live 2.5 hours from the nearest Latin Mass, so on Sundays, I attend the best of the Novus Ordos available in my area. But my heart, mind and soul are with the faith and practices that preceded those of VII, and that will take its place in the time to come, God willing. Such a comfort to read the words of the good bishop - a voice crying out in the wilderness, to be sure.
Archbishop Lefebvre replied, “What is that church? I know not a conciliar church. I am Catholic!”
Proclaim to the world that Jesus Christ is Savior and Lord of all. Jesus Christ is King.
St. Pope John Paul II, “We must defend the truth at all costs, even if we are reduced to just twelve again.”
Thank you, Bishop Strickland for continually speaking TRUTH to power. I pray there will be a time when the wall of lies built around the TRUE Church will fall due to the Searing Light and Power of Truth.
Thank you for your letter. Love the staircase of St Joseph metaphor. Your points expressed are so beautifully and clearly written for our understanding. Appreciate your continued guidance and teachings. You will always be our Shepherd as a successor of the Apostles.
Amen! Amen! Amen!!
Deo Gratias!
An incredible homily, if it were from the pulpit. Would anyone here be interested in studying the actual solution to the problem in the church today?
If yes, visit: https://youtube.com/@thewizionary1
I subscribed. Keep me informed.
Will do. Thanks. Note that the playlists are numbered in the order they should be viewed.
Thank you, Bishop Strickland, for your remarkable words. You continue to show yourself as a faithful pastor of souls with concern for the universal Church. Perhaps you have been striped of your diocese of Tyler, but the Lord has given you a new ministry for his whole flock. May God continue to inspire you in leading countless souls back to the Traditions of the Roman Church and the salvation of souls.
Thank you for this Advent gift, this proclamation of Truth.