Return to The Reign of Mary No. 180
The Reign of Mary
No. 180: Letter from the Editor
June 11, 2021
Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus
Dear Friends in Our Lady,
Praised be Jesus and Mary. At long last our country is emerging from the severe lockdown of the past year. The economy is humming with activity and life is gradually returning to normal in most places around the United States. As Catholics, we look upon the trials of the past year as a cross we have had to carry, calling to mind the words of St. Paul that “for those who love God all things work together unto good” (Romans 8:28). Let us, then, use this trial for our spiritual advantage by calling to mind the many blessings we have had throughout our lives: churches with Mass and sacraments, schools for our children’s Catholic education, and the support of our fellow Catholics. We may not always have these gifts, just as we have been deprived of them for parts of the past year. Let us learn to appreciate what God has given us and always treasure His blessings.
How true the saying that we don’t really appreciate something until it is no longer ours to enjoy! Imagine Catholics who lived in times of persecution. They eagerly appreciated each opportunity for Mass and Holy Communion. No sacrifice was too great to avail themselves of the nourishment of the sacraments. Sadly, we can easily become accustomed to what we have and take it for granted. So let us use the trials we have experienced to imbibe a greater appreciation for what God has given us.
Truly, we are most blessed. As we look at the sad plight of those Catholics still deceived by the Conciliar Church, we realize that theirs is a life of confusion. The man whom they believe to be pope is daily undermining the Faith and making scandalous statements. Yet many continue to turn a blind eye and convince themselves that he is still the pope. But how different is this “pope” from true popes!
Reflect on these words of St. Pius X, when he was yet Bishop of Mantua. Speaking of Pope Leo XIII he stated: “The moment has come to prove to the great Vicar of Christ our unchanging affection and fidelity. For us Leo XIII is the guardian of the Holy Scriptures, the interpreter of the doctrine of Jesus Christ, the supreme dispenser of the treasures of the Church, the head of the Catholic religion, the chief shepherd of souls, the infallible teacher, the secure guide, who directs us on our way through a world wrapped in darkness and the shadow of death. All the strength of the Church is in the Pope; all the foundations of our Faith are based on the successor of Peter” (quoted by F. A. Forbes in Pope St. Pius X).
Can the same honestly be said of “Pope” Francis by those who still believe he is the Vicar of Christ? On the contrary, do they not, rather, ignore his teachings and reject his initiatives? Their Catholic sense tells them that they must reject him if they would retain their faith. In no sense could he be considered a true Vicar of Christ. Thank God for the grace He has given you to understand this truth! And let us pray that those souls in the Conciliar Church who still retain the true Faith will wake up to this reality and abandon that false church.
This summer our religious will continue our Catholic apostolate of offering the Mass and sacraments, holding summer catechism classes and camps for youth, and, in general, spreading the Faith. We especially look forward to seeing many of you at our annual Fatima Conference, to be held this year October 6-10. (Please refer to CMRI.org for details). May God bless you all as you continue to persevere in the Faith of our Fathers.
In Jesus and Mary,
Fr. Benedict Hughes, CMRI (Email)