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Caritas - Papal Office
by His Holiness Pope Pius XIII
 November 15, 1998 
Issue 001

Mailing Address

    Old Papal Office of the tCC
    P.O. Box 133
    Springdale, WA 99173
    USA
     
  • tCC means “true Catholic Church”
  • Hopefully Supported by free will offerings

Personally, and with some help, We shall keep an occasional Caritas coming to your mailbox.  As Our world wide correspondence expands, We shall have to cut back on the time We can put into this letter.  We never know when it will be the last one that We can produce. 

The Shepherd and the Sheep

Our Lord called Himself the good shepherd.  He pointed out that He knew His sheep, and His sheep knew Him.  Since We are (from the twenty fourth of October 1998), the Vicar of Christ We must also call Ourselves the shepherd.  We, (Pius XIII) the shepherd at the present time know many of Our sheep, and yet it is true that there are other sheep of Ours that We do not know.  The reason is because We still do not have mutual knowledge of each other. 

Over the past forty years of living without the true Pope, many of the faithful do not even know that one must belong to a parish in order to be a Catholic.  During those long forty years, from the death of Pope Pius XII until Our election to the papacy you were able to be honorable Catholics and children of God without a pastor, for there were no pastors on the face of the earth.  With Our becoming the Vicar of Christ We are now the pastor of every Catholic on earth.  Once We appoint Bishops, and Bishops appoint priests as pastors, all Catholics must be registered in some parish, no matter how big or how small it may be. 

It should be clear from what has just been stated that all those who wish to be in God’s Church must be registered in his Church.  Those who refuse to do so or just neglect to do so cannot ask for the services of the Church - no sacraments, no Christian burial and other Catholic services.  The lost life in limbo is all over.  Either you are with the Vicar of Christ or you are against the Vicar of Christ.  There is no middle ground. 

When coming to God’s Church, the true Catholic Church, you must enter it according to your present relations with God.  If you are not baptized you must go through a proper training and testing before you can be baptized.  Why?  Your pastor: Pope, Bishop or pastor, must be sure that you have the true Catholic faith. Let me tell you that the Novus Ordo Catholics generally have no divine and Catholic faith, for they are trained to believe that the experience of faith is the same as the real thing, namely faith.  Experiences of faith consist of the good feelings they experience from the fellowship of so-called Christians and savage chants of the heathens, so much the vogue today and all the other syncretic and pantheist ravings. 

Baptism

There are many people who have the sacrament of baptism of water, and yet among those there are many who have no baptism at all or just a doubtful baptism.  The priest must judge each case on its merits.  There is no such thing as the candidate to join the Church determining his or her valid or invalid baptism as his prerequisite condition to join the Church. We just cannot act irresponsibly in this matter.  From Our position as Vicar of Christ, just as Our predecessors did, We shall help the Bishops and pastors in making that decision. 

Just why is the decision on the validity of baptism so important?  It is because without a valid sacrament of baptism of water, no other sacrament can be received.  If one enters the Church with an invalid baptism all the “sacraments” he receives are invalid.  That includes even the priesthood.  Such a person is not a priest, and all the sacraments that presume priestly powers are invalid. 

Traditional Catholics

We find traditional Catholics of many stripes.  Some belong to large organizations such as the Society of St. Pius X (SSPX).  Simply stated, they recognize John Paul II as the Pope, and at the same time they refuse to be subject to him.  By all the rules of faith they are in schism, in a totally non-Catholic situation. 

Nearly the whole world has lost its way to heaven.  They see no need for one shepherd and one flock. They think any so-called Christian group places them in the Catholic Church of God.  When the religious organization they are in suits the individuals they remain in it, but if they do not like it they go to another one of their liking.  That is not the Catholic way to salvation. 

Until Our papal election, it was honorable to live the Catholic faith alone.  However, once there is a Pope, that living as a Catholic alone no longer can be applied.  Even if, because of the lack of priests, they cannot have the service of a priest they are obliged, if they know that there is now the Pope, they must make their subjection and obedience known to him in order to be in God’s Church -- outside of which there is no salvation. 

Everyone must be subject to the Roman Pontiff

There are various states or conditions that Catholics now find themselves.  In recent times, We have seen so-called Catholics separate themselves from the priest and his body of Catholics.  That is schism, and the way back into the Church is by the profession of faith and abjuration of errors, if faith was a factor, or abjuration of schism when charity was involved.  With good will every problem can be solved.  However, when those coming into the Church demand that they dictate the terms of conversion there will be no condition of “one shepherd and one flock.”  The Vicar of Christ does not recognize goats as his sheep, and no conversion is effected. 

Once again, the whole world must learn, or re-learn what the Church really is.  By God’s command every single person on earth is obliged to be subject to the Roman Pontiff.  No matter how good or how big a “Christian” organization may, or may not be, it cannot be under God unless it is subject to the Roman Pontiff.  Those who refuse that unity will find out that sad truth, as they plunge into hell when they die. 

Some of you may want to challenge Our words.  You will want to discredit what We say because We live in humble circumstances and without a big following.  We shall quote what all Catholics believed before the death of Our predecessor, Pope Pius XII. We go to Denzinger #468 and #469.  It is too long to quote in a newsletter, so those who want the whole thing can get it from Our website, http://www.truecatholic.org/pope, or buy the book, (Denzinger “The Sources of Catholic Dogma”). 

‘Our Lord said to Peter: Feed my sheep’ [John 21:17]. He said ‘My,’ and generally, not individually these or those, through which it is understood that He entrusted all to him.  If, therefore, the Greeks or others say that they were not entrusted to Peter and his successors, of necessity let them confess that they are not of the sheep of Christ, since the Lord says in John, “to be one flock and one Shepherd” [John 10:16].”
We continue to quote: 
“And we are taught by evangelical words that in this power of his are two swords, namely spiritual and temporal... Therefore, each is in the power of the Church, that is a spiritual and a material sword.  But the latter, indeed, must be exercised for the Church, the former by the Church.  The former (by the hand) of the priest, the latter by the hand of kings and soldiers, but at the will and sufferance of the priest.  For it is necessary that a sword be under a sword and that temporal authority be subject to spiritual power.... It is necessary that we confess the more clearly that spiritual power precedes any earthly power both in dignity and nobility, as spiritual matters themselves excel the temporal.  For, as truth testifies, spiritual power has to establish earthly power, and to judge if it was not good.... Therefore, if earthly power deviates, it will be judged by spiritual power; but if a lesser spiritual deviates, by its superior; but if the supreme (spiritual power deviates), it can be judged by God alone, not by man, as the Apostle testifies: ‘The spiritual man judges all things, but himself is judged by no one’ [I Cor. 2:15].   But this authority, although it is given to man and is exercised by man, is not human, but rather divine, and has been given by the divine Word to Peter himself and to his successors in him, whom the Lord acknowledged an established rock, when he said to Peter himself: ‘Whatsoever you shall bind’ etc. [Matt. 16:19].  Therefore, ‘whosoever resists this power so ordained by God, resists the order of God.’ [Rom.13:2], unless as a Manichaean he imagines that there are two beginnings, which we judge false and heretical, because, as Moses testifies, not ‘in the beginnings’ but ‘in the beginning God created the heaven and earth’ [cf. Gen.1:1]. Furthermore, we declare, say, define, and proclaim to every human creature that they by necessity for salvation are entirely subject to the Roman Pontiff.” 
We must address all those who have valid sacraments (valid Holy Orders, valid Masses etc.) in order to bring them to subjection to the Roman Pontiff.  Again, in Denzinger #714 We show you the decree of Pope Eugenius IV.  We quote, and We underline the most telling parts: 
“It (the true Catholic Church) firmly believes, professes, and proclaims that those not living within the Catholic Church, not only pagans, but also Jews and heretics and schismatics cannot become participants in eternal life, but will depart ‘into everlasting fire which was prepared for the devil and his angels’ [Matt. 25:41], unless before the end of life the same have been added to the flock; and that the unity of the ecclesiastical body is so strong that only to those remaining in it are the sacraments of the Church of benefit for salvation, and do fastings, almsgiving, and other functions of piety and exercises of Christian service produce eternal reward, and that no one, whatever almsgiving he has practiced, even if he has shed blood for the name of Christ, can be saved, unless he has remained in the bosom and unity of the Catholic Church.”
Some eternal optimist may still think he can somehow enter into heaven by categorizing all the above (as he may call it) rhetoric.  We close the last chance they have of escape, again from Denzinger #430 with the words of the LATERAN COUNCIL IV 1215.  We quote: 
“One indeed is the universal Church of the faithful, outside of which no one at all is saved...” 
There is no light of hope at the end of the tunnel.  Become a practicing member of the true Catholic Church or, God forbid, be damned forever. 

Comparison to Joseph of Egypt

Our coming to the papacy reminds Us of how Joseph of Egypt was set over all of Egypt (second only to the emperor) when all the odds were against him.  He told his brothers of a dream that he had where he became their ruler.  They hated him to such a degree that they sold him into foreign slavery - to get rid of him once and for all.  God determined otherwise, and Joseph became their ruler and savior.  Joseph was the stone that the builders rejected, and he became their needed savior. 

In Matthew 21, 42 & ff. Jesus gives His enemies something to mull over.  They opposed Him and tried to thwart His work.: 

“Jesus saith to them: Have you never read in the Scriptures: ‘The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner.’” 

 “And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it shall grind him to powder.” 

 “And when the chief priests and Pharisees had heard his parables, they knew that he spoke of them.”

It is Our hope that those who are opposed to Our being sent by God to be in the position of the “head of the corner,” will catch on that We are speaking to them, with the words of Scripture as quoted by Our Lord Himself.  We pray for wisdom and counsel so that We may provide you with “a yoke that is sweet and a burden that is light.” 

The Gift of Faith

The Catholic Church, throughout all the ages, is very much like Our Lord Himself in Palestine.  Jesus, as an infant, looked the same as any other baby.  As a boy He looked the same as any other boy.  As a grown man He looked like any other grown man.  Only those who had the gift of faith could see God in Him.  Saul of Tarsus (later to become St. Paul) saw only a false sect in the early Church.  However, when he was knocked off his high horse he obtained the faith, and he saw the Church in its divine aspect.  Thereafter he worked and died for its spread. Pray that we may come upon more men of God (laborers in the vineyard of the Lord) like onto the great Apostle, St. Paul. 

Vocations to Religious Life 

During the forty years that we were without a Pope it was impossible to have vocations to the priesthood and the Religious life.  Why?  Because if we set up a seminary and trained men for the priesthood we would have been without the right to ordain them or make them subject to a superior, for there were no true ecclesiastical superiors at that time, and the only way to come by superiors is to have a chain of command from the Pope.  Today we have the Pope, and We will authorize seminaries and Religious houses the world over. 

Every Catholic must wake up from his long forced sleep.  Every Catholic must contribute to the spiritual and physical growth of the Church.   Pure and holy young men are to consider if God is calling them to the exalted vocation of the holy priesthood.  Some may also have the vocation to be Brothers in Religious life.  Likewise, pure and holy young women should pray in order to come to the knowledge if per chance God is calling them to the Religious life. 

Support of the Church

Physical structures, however, small they may be, must be purchased and furnished.  All that costs money, and where civil governments do not support the Church, as God demands of them, the Catholics must support these operations.  The Church, the Mystical Body, is one entity.  We are made up of many different parts, but we end up in being one body.  Can the head say to the hand, “I do not need you?”  Can the hand say to the head, “I do not need you?”  All the parts of the body must perform their specific task, and then the whole body can function properly. 

For twenty-two years We lived on free will offerings, and the generosity of a small minority made it possible for Us to serve a large area.  We can no longer leave those who were negligent in their support the Church to remain in their uncooperative state. The Fifth Commandment of the Church commands the faithful to support the Church.  We are not getting hungry for money.  We are telling you your duty before God.  If each one does his duty, the Mystical Body can fulfill its divinely assigned task of converting the world.  God is just, and He will reward all of you in all justice even if you have no more than a widow’s mite to give.  How surprised you will be when you see the effects the sacrifices you make, for the glory of God and the salvation of souls, concerning your own spiritual life and your future life of glory in heaven. 

We recall, with sadness, that a girl spent her first baby sitting money on a twelve-speed bicycle.  She did not need it for school or work, so it was just a pleasure machine.  Well, she neglected her Catholic practices, lived in with a man for years and finally married him totally outside the Church.  Living in such a state of mortal sin means a life in hell for all eternity. We could multiply such examples.  If that girl had given some of that baby sitting money to the support of the priest (support of the Church) and purchased some spiritual reading books, it is probable that she would now be in a good Catholic marriage and the mother of a fine family. 

During the forty years we were in the limbo of a no Pope era, We did not encourage the young to embrace the Religious Life.  Since We are now Christ’s Vicar, We must do all in Our power to encourage Religious vocations and obtain general support for that divine mission. 

Evangelical Counsels

We must say a few words about the three evangelical counsels.  The evangelical counsels are: poverty, chastity and obedience.  Evangelical means that they are found in the Gospels, and therefore directly from God.  Counsels mean something very advisable.   On the other hand Commandments are things that must be done or avoided.  Counsels are things that are not commanded but are highly encouraged. 

The first of the eight beatitudes is: Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.  All men should live in a kind of poverty - not making money our god.  When one is properly detached from the things of this world he has time for the things of heaven.  The vow of poverty helps one draw ever nearer to God. 

Chastity, lived by Our Lord, shows us a deep and tender dedication to God.  Christ encouraged the single state as a means for greater holiness. 

Obedience makes it possible for one to do the will of God.  When one sacrifices his freedom for the love of God he receives a very great reward. 

Different Vocations -- Different States

Before moving on, let Us give one more piece of spiritual advice.  The Religious in vows becomes a religious object.  If one as a layman makes a genuflection he performs an act of religion, and that act merits a special reward.  If one blesses himself with holy water he performs a religious act, and he is greatly rewarded.  The Religious even when he splits wood performs an act of religion, just as valuable as genuflections by a non-Religious Christian.  Christians in all walks of life become Saints.  However, the number of Saints who were Religious far exceeds those who lived without being Religious.  Lest it seem that We downgrade the non-Religious life We should point out that in the practical order the Religious generally follows a divine call: call it a vocation if you will. 

Martin Luther, a priest and Augustinian monk, sinfully left his celibate state for marriage.  Then he made bold to claim that the marriage state of life is higher than the Religious state of life.  Holy Mother Church in defining his errors stated that those who say that the marriage state is higher than the dedicated celibate state are dead wrong - “Let him be anathema.” 

Una Cum and The Pope

Very near the opening of the Canon of the Mass (after the Sanctus) God’s faithful pray together in one voice because they are perfectly fitted in God’s one and only Church.  The Church directs the Pope to pray (not with the Pope nor with a Bishop) but as follows: “..una cum me indigno famulo tuo quem gregi tuo praeesse voluisti..” which means that the Pope says to God that he is an unworthy servant who God chose to be over the flock, and thus he prays with the flock.  The name of the Pope everywhere, and of the Bishop where the faithful live, are named by the priests and faithful in this “una cum” in English “in union with.” 

God’s willing flock prays together with one voice, and others outside that flock are never permitted to join in that prayer, that is, until they are joined to the flock.  No person is in God’s flock unless he is subject to the Roman Pontiff. God made it so, as seen in the above paragraphs.  Oh, God make Us Thy effective instrument of Thy peace! 


For this month of November, the month of the souls of the faithful departed (in purgatory), Catholics gain as many indulgences as you can with two sacred names:  Jesus (300 days) and Mary (300 days). 

With Our benediction 
 
    November 15, 1998 
 
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