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The Reign of Mary, Issue No. 135, Summer 2009
Father Gruner and Anti-Sedevacantism
An Open Letter to Fr. Nicholas Gruner by Fr. Martin Stépanich, O.F.M., S.T.D.
In this issue of The Reign of Mary we reproduce a letter written by Fr. Martin to Fr. Nicholas Gruner four years ago. In one of the issues of his magazine The Fatima Crusader, Fr. Gruner published an attack on sedevacantism. We have decided to reproduce this letter since most of our readers have likely never read it and also because it lays out the case for sedevacantism in a simple and easy-to-understand way. This letter was never answered or acknowledged by Fr. Gruner.
The Question of Jurisdiction When the Chair of Peter is Vacant
by the Most Rev. Mark A. Pivarunas, CMRI
Among the various issues raised today in traditional Catholic circles, jurisdiction is one topic that has been a subject of confusion, especially among some lay “theologians.” According to these mistaken souls, there are no longer any lawful bishops or priests available to offer Holy Mass or to administer the Sacraments. Some of these unfortunate and misguided “theologians.” have gone on a “mission” to divert the faithful from the reception of the Sacraments administered by the traditional clergy. ....
On the Merits of Censorship
by Fr. Benedict Hughes, CMRI
All faithful Catholics are appalled and grieved at the rampant immorality that floods society via our modern means of communication. There seems no end to the ever-escalating procession of indecent pictures and language paraded on the television, movies, magazines and the internet, promoting gross immodesty and pornography, marital infidelity, sexual promiscuity and unnatural vice...
This issue: $1.50
Hernando Cortes, Conquistador for Christ (Part III: From Chains to Commander)
by Rev. Fr. Brendan Hughes, CMRI
July 10, 1509, saw the fleet of Don Diego Columbus anchored in San Domingo on Espanola. He had been vindicated in his hereditary rights to succeed his father as viceroy and governor of the Indies. The first prize of his conquest and settlement was the island Borinquen, renamed San Juan, modern-day Puerto Rico. Hernando Cortes was absent from this triumph, content to serve as notary public of the small town of Azua, while farming and managing his repartimiento of Indians at Daiguao....
Gambling Addiction: More Than Money at Stake
by Rev. Fr. Francisco Radecki, CMRI
Financial irresponsibility is one of the leading causes of divorce in the United States. This includes purchasing superfluous or costly items beyond one’s means, amassing credit card debt, gambling and miserliness. Early detection and prevention is critical in order to avoid problems later. ....
Catholic Home and Hearth:
Perseverance in Matrimony
by Rev. Fr. Dominic Radecki, CMRI
Of the sacraments instituted by Christ, both Matrimony and Holy Orders are social sacraments. This means that their purpose is not limited to the recipients, but is intended by Christ to go beyond them by benefiting others. Matrimony not only affects the husband and wife, but reaches out first to the children, and then through them, to the Church and to the society in which they live. .....
Respice Stellam:
The Humility of Her Heel
by Fr. Benedict Hughes, CMRI
“I will put enmities between thee and the woman, and thy seed and her seed: she shall crush thy head, and thou shalt lie in wait for her heel” (Genesis, 3:15). So spoke God to the serpent after the sin of Adam and Eve. This woman, of course, has always been considered as referring to Our Blessed Mother. Thus we have in Catholic art many examples of pictures and statues of Our Lady, with the serpent lying under her heel....
Liturgical Year:
Mass of the Catechumens
by Rev. Fr. Dominic Radecki, CMRI
In discussing the Mass, we have shown how everything that surrounds it merits the greatest reverence and respect. We will now describe the most holy of all items surrounding the Sacrifice of the Mass: those sacred vessels which actually hold the precious Body and Blood of Jesus Christ, and the linens with which the vessels come in contact....
In Season—Out of Season:
The Price of Our Redemption: The Precious Blood of Jesus
by Fr. Benedict Hughes, CMRI
Dearly beloved, as I mentioned, today is the feast of the Most Precious Blood of Jesus, the price of our salvation. By shedding His Precious Blood for us upon the Cross, Christ reopened the gates of Heaven and paid the price of our Redemption. When Adam and Eve committed original sin and ate the forbidden fruit, they were shut out of the Garden of Paradise and, as the catechism says, the gates of Heaven were closed, so that anyone who died in the Old Testament before the time of Christ, even good and holy people, could not go to Heaven....
Servus Mariae:
Prayers Are Always Answered (Part I)
by Rev. Fr. Dominic Radecki, CMRI
How many times in life have we desired to possess an Aladdin´s lamp in order to easily solve our problems? We imagine that with the simple process of rubbing vigorously, we would find our three most desired wishes instantly realized. Sadly, life is not like that and we will never find such a lamp. We have, however, something far more valuable and far more lasting: prayer. Attached to prayer is the glorious promise of Christ, “If you ask the Father anything in My name, He will give it to you.” This is one of the most remarkable promises that God could have made to mankind.....
The World in Review
(short news stories compiled by the staff of The Reign of Mary):
“Obama-mania” Found Even at the Vatican
Catholic Boy Placed in Foster Care with Two Gay Men
Americans Say Fatherhood is Most Important Role for Men
Swiss Guard May Accept Women
12-Year-Old’s Speech Stuns Abortion Supporters
Shroud of Turin to be Displayed
Ireland to Recognize Same-Sex Unions
Lithuanian Parliament Overturns President’s Veto of Gay Propaganda Ban
More Americans Pro-Life
German Bishop Says Christ Did Not Die to Redeem Man
Obama Declares June “LGBT Pride Month”
Vatican Newspaper: Michael Jackson is Immortal for His Fans
U.K. Clamps Down on Homeschoolers
Devoted Dads Prevent Teen Sex
General Electric to Use Embryonic Stem Cells for Testing
Obama Appoints Gay Activist to Education Post
UN Committee to Nicaragua: “Total Abortion Ban Violates Torture Treaty”
Elementary School Marches in Gay Parade
Unwed Birth Rate Skyrocketing
Benedict XVI to Visit Rome Synagogue
Towns Printing Their Own Money
Injured Marine Runs 100-mile Marathon for Charity