Catholic Calendar for 2003

The Apocalypse of St. John the Apostle

“Blessed is he that readeth and heareth the words of the prophecy: and keepeth these things which are written in it. For the time is at hand.”

We are proposing several avenues of this study of prophecy.  First of all, take time out to prayerfully read the entire book of The Apocalypse which you should know is the last book of the New Testament and which is found at the end of the Bible.  Since it is possible some readers of this letter may still be without a Bible We furnish this information.  The Douay-Rheims Bible (New and Old Testament) can be purchased in paperback from TAN Books and Publisher, INC., P.O. Box 424, Rockford, Il 61105. The price is $35.00 + p/h $6.00. There is also another edition of the Douay-Rheims Bible available from Angelus Press, 2915 Forest Avenue, Kansas City, MO 64019 @ $44.95 s/h $6.95.

We must proceed with caution when we read the scriptures.  In the Second Epistle of St. Peter 3, 16, St. Peter gives these words of caution:

“As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things: in which are certain things hard to be understood  which the unlearned and unstable  wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, to their own destruction.”

Of this book TAN Books and Publishers writes in the ad.  “The Book of Destiny 520 pp.  PB. Imprimatur. At last a thorough, intelligible and truly great interpretation of the Apocalypse of St. John.  Proceeds verse-by-verse and chapter-by-chapter: explains every-thing, omits nothing, all from a Catholic point of view.”    The date of the imprimatur in Our edition is January 26, 1956.

It is Our hope that some of Our readers will want to make a deeper study of The Apocalypse.  For that reason We shall propose another book on Our shelves.  It is The Apocalypse Explained, by H. M. Feret, O.P. (translated by Elizabeth Corathiel), with an Imprimatur dated March 15, 1958.  It can be purchased from Roman Catholic Books, P.O. Box 2286, Fort Collins. CO 80522.   What is particularly special about this book is the fact that it shows in great detail where the teachings, found in The Apocalypse, are found in the entire Bible.  There are seven chapters with some titles as “The Mystery of Christ in the Apocalypse.”  “The Christian View of History According to the Apocalypse.”  “The Activity of Satan in History According to the Apocalypse.”  “The Church History and the Holy Jerusalem.”  “Evolution of History and End of Time.”

The last paragraph of the Foreword [of Apocalypse Explained] reads: “In publishing this volume he (the author) has had no other ambitions than to help fellow Christians, in their turn, to explore, in the faith and under the direction of the holy Church, the boundless riches and illumination of the word of God in the New Testament and to draw from it incessantly, as the Evangelist, nova et vetera.”

A portion of the Forward for [The Book of Destiny] reads as follows: “The secrets of the future written in this book (The Apocalypse) have mystified and intrigued the minds of the most inquisitive for nineteen hundred years.  St. Vincent Ferrer five hundred years ago and St. Bernadine of Siena a half a century later threatened their hearers with the judgment enumerated in the Apocalypse, but their words were not well heeded.  Yet the FIRST WOE was averted from the countries which they evangelized.  For a hundred years now the secrets have been quite openly expressed and written about, though with some uncertainty and misgivings, but have not been noticed by the world.  In the meantime events have succeeded with increasing speed and growth towards a denouncement of the secrets of the GREAT WORLD DRAMA so long wrapped up in mysterious vision.  Any day may flash upon the consciousness of men the DESINY towards which mankind is hastening.”

All of Our readers are obliged to know that in reading or studying the Scriptures they must be directed by Holy Mother Church.  Converts must make the following profession in regard this matter, found in the Profession of Faith: “I believe in the authority of the Apostolic and Ecclesiastical Traditions, and the Holy Scriptures, which we must interpret and understand only in the sense which our holy mother the Catholic Church has held and does hold.”  Hence, no God-fearing person will interpret for himself the Scriptures, Tradition and documents of the Church.

Millenialism

We now draw Our reason to speak on this matter from the recognized teaching of the Church in our very times.  We quote from Denzinger’s Enchiridion Symbolorum (The Sources of Catholic Dogma) number 2296, giving the decree of the Holy Office, July 21, 1944. It is: “Millenarianism (Chiliasm) In recent times on several occasion the Supreme Sacred Congregation of the Holy Office has been asked what must be thought of the system of mitigated Millenarianism, which teaches, for example, that Christ the Lord before the final judgment, whether or not preceded by the resurrection of the many just, will come visibly to rule over this world.  The answer is: The system of mitigated Milenarianism cannot be taught with safely.”

Before closing this introductory treatise on the end times We shall quote from the opening words of the Apoclypse 1, 3: “Blessed is he that readeth and heareth the words of this prophecy and keepeth those things which are written in it.”   In order to wake you up We shall reverse the words just quoted above: “Not blessed is he that not readeth and not heareth the words of this prophecy and not keepeth those things which are written in it.” Using the guiding authors, given above, prayerfully perform this duty so wonderfully filled with heavenly blessings.  Without a private revelation (hardly ever given) nobody is sure of heaven until he actually gets there. Dutifully obey all of God’s commands, and also show God that you really love Him and desire the rewards of heaven.

The Rosary

For a short explanation of the Rosary We copy from A Practical Catholic Dictionary, By Jessie Corrigan Pegis: “Rosary  A chain of beads for saying prayers.  A Rosary is a sacramental, a blessed object of devotion.   To say the Rosary is to recite the prayers on the beads.  The prayers of the Rosary honor the Blessed Virgin Mary, renew the main doctrines of the Catholic faith, and carry men’s petitions to God.  The Apostles’ Creed is said on the Crucifix.  On the first big bead the Our Father is recited and, on the three small beads following, the three Hail Marys are said, followed by a Glory Be to the Father.  Coming to the first decade, one recalls the mystery for the decade and recites the Our Father.  On each group of ten beads (decade), ten Hail Marys are recited.  Each decade is preceded by the Our Father and is followed by a Glory Be to the Father.  There are five decades to the Rosary, each decade associated with a mystery of faith, which is meditated upon while the prayers are being said.  Since there are fifteen mysteries in all (Joyful, Sorrowful, and Glorious), a complete Rosary would consist of fifteen decades.  Usually just five mysteries are said each day.

It is said that early in the thirteenth century Our Lady appeared to St. Dominic, who founded the Dominican Order (the Order of Preacher), put the Rosary in his hand, and told him to go out and preach.   The word rosary comes from the Latin word rosarium, meaning a rose garden.  The feast of the Most Holy Rosary is celebrated on October 7.”

Over the centuries the Popes have attached many indulgences to the recitation of the rosary.  That is possible only if the Rosary itself has been blessed and given the indulgence by a priest who possesses the power to do so.  Hence, when purchasing a rosary be sure to have a priest (now, Ourself and Father Robert Cardinal Lyons) bless it.  If you cannot get your rosary blessed and indulgenced you can still receive the standard indulgence of 300 day for the recitation of Jesus (Raccolta #113) and 300 days for the recitation of Mary (Raccolta #292). The common sense thing to do is to make your intention to gain all the indulgences that are possible.  You need not know all of them.  They may be received by yourself or given to the Poor Souls in Purgatory.  Just think of the good you can do by just using the above method of prayer.

The mysteries are:
Joyful:  the Annunciation, the Visitation, the Nativity Our Lord, the Presentation of the Child Jesus in the Temple, and the finding of the Child Jesus in the Temple. 
Sorrowful:  the Agony in the Garden, the Scourging at the Pillar, the Crowing with Thorns, the Carrying of the Cross, and the Crucifixion. 
Glorious:  the Resurrection, the Ascension, the descent of the Holy Ghost upon the Apostles, the Assumption of Our Lady, and the Coronation of Our Lady as Queen of  Heaven.

It is praiseworthy to carry the Rosary on your person, usually in a pocket.  We have carried it around Our neck, between the T shirt and upper garment, daily since 1974.  By the way, rosaries do wear out!

Since body and soul both go to heaven, you can make your body work for the glory of heaven also.  You are encouraged to bow your head at the recitation of the name of Jesus and at the recitation of the name of Mary.  It is praiseworthy to make the bow lower for the name of Jesus than for the name of Mary.

You will find some Rosaries made of thin rope.  That is good for counting, but indulgences, by Church law, cannot be attached to such a material.

There may be a question as to what is the difference between the blessing on a Rosary and an indulgence attached to a Rosary.  Both make the rosary a sacramental. The blessing makes the Rosary holy in that through it special actual graces are given to the one using it.  Actual grace illuminates the mind to know God’s will and strengthens the will to do God’s will.  On the other hand, an indulgence removes from the soul that for which punishment is due.  Just contemplate how much good you can do for yourself and others with the graces you can receive in the recitation of the Rosary.  Also, just think of the great good you can do by helping the Poor Souls in Purgatory.  Their sufferings are shortened, and their entrance into heaven is speeded up.  In heaven they are your advocates (petitioners) before the throne of God, and that makes your journey to heaven more and more safe and secure.

If any reader does not know where to purchase Rosaries or any religious articles they can contact Us or Father Lyons to locate religious stores which generally have catalogs advertising rosaries,  in a large price range.

The Scapular

“The Scapular consists of two small pieces of cloth joined by strings and worn back and front.  The brown scapular, which is the scapular most often worn by the laity, is the badge of the Confraternity of Our Lady of Mount Carmel.  Tradition tells us that Our Lady appeared to St. Simon Stock, Prior General of Carmel, on July 16, 1251, and put a brown scapular into his hands.  She promised him that whoever died piously wearing this scapular would not suffer eternal flames. (Our note: We have never seen the word “piously” in the formula before, and it is necessary to ward off making it an object of superstition which is sinful).

“Scapular Medal:  medal which may be worn instead of the cloth scapular by anyone enrolled in the scapular.  The scapular medal has on one side the image of Our Lord, and showing His Sacred Heart, on the other an image of Our Lady.”  When this is used both the medal as described above plus the blessing of a priest, who has the proper faculties to do so, is necessary.

As to the Brown Scapular, it is to be of wool, and the color is to be brown.  No images or words on it are necessary.  Anyone can make the Scapular or have it made.  This Brown Scapular is from Our Lady, so really no blessing is necessary.   The Church does bless and impose the Brown Scapular, and like a Religious habit the new scapulars for the person thus enrolled never need to be blessed.

There is another less popular scapular called the Fivefold Scapular.  Attwater’s dictionary say this: “Five scapulars, those of the Holy Trinity, Carmelites, Servites, Immaculate Conception and the Passion, upon a singe pair of bands and worn as one.”

The Fivefold Scapular generally costs between thirteen and fifteen dollars each.  A simple solution is to wear the Brown Scapular, and attach a Fivefold Scapular medal to it.  We use such a one at night, and by day We use the standard Fivefold Scapular.  That attached medal must be blessed by a priest who has the faculties to do so.

It is likely that all of you know that it was Our Lady’s request at Fatima that the Scapular be worn, and that the rosary is to be said regularly.  Obviously, if one wears the Scapular daily it is likely that he will die wearing it.  Remember the word “piously” as given above.  Some rogue may think that, while living in sin, he will be preserved from the fires of hell when he dies. He could be in for a royal surprise.  Piously wearing the Scapular(s) means that, while wearing the Scapular, one habitually lives in the state of sanctifying grace.

This book proposes devotion to the sacred face of Christ.  There are two pictures of devotion to the sacred face of Christ.  One is the one seen on the veil of Veronica who presented her veil to Christ as He carried His cross.  The other traditional one is the face of Christ as it is seen on the shroud of Turin, that is, the shroud in which Christ was buried, and on which His image is impressed.

The revelations are found in the book given above, which is the autobiography and revelations of Sr. Mary of St. Peter (1816-1848).

The prayer is as follows, page 226: “Prayer of Reparation in Praise of the Holy Name of God entitled The Golden Arrow”:

May the most host, most sacred most adorable, most incomprehensible and unutterable Name of God be always praised, blessed, loved, adored and glorified, in Heaven, on earth and under the earth, by all the creatures of God, and by the Sacred Heart of Our Lord Jesus Christ, in the most Holy Sacrament of the Altar.  Amen.

We know that the Angels and Saints in heaven constantly praise God, and in that praise they are elated, and God is adored.  Those of us who repeat the “Golden Arrow” as given above are likely to experience the “SWEET TASTE OF HEAVEN,” even in this vale of tears.  We have memorized that “Golden Arrow,” in order that We may be able say it over and over even in the dark of night as We fall asleep.  We surely would like to continue reciting that “Golden Arrow” in union with the angels and saints forever in the world to come.  We feel that, as stated above, it  has for Us the sweet taste of heaven.
   
   Pius, pp. XIII 
   December 8, 2002 
 

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