vaticanii

In this THINGS HIDDEN episode, Shannon Braswell and Shane Kennedy get together for a fascinating conversation on sister Wilhelmina Lancaster as role model against a nihilistic culture, whether miracles are real, the transition towards Vatican II, cults of personality, and more.

Visit A Neighbor's Choice website at aneighborschoice.com

Dietrich Von Hildebrand was a hero in the battle for Catholic Tradition in the wake of the catastrophe following Second Vatican Council. But he was also a political hero in the fight against Nazism as well. Dr. Alice Von Hildebrand discusses both forms of his heroism in these two lectures.

Emily and Eric continue their conversation with composer Ken Canedo by asking a tough question about whether Fr. Rivers got co-opted and left behind by the White folk movement in the American Catholic Church. Ken provides a thoughtful response that involves (of all things) Catholic missalettes and lack of accompaniment, and discussion turns to the ways Fr. Rivers may have unintentionally hindered access to his own works. We pose Ken our standard question about Fr. Rivers’ obscurity, and Ken’s answer is perhaps the most practical we’ve received: it’s because his music has long been unavailable. There's more: enjoy this second part of our interview with composer Ken Canedo. For Episode 19 Show Notes, click here.

Catholic composer and musician Ken Canedo discusses the influence of Fr. Rivers on his life and career in liturgy and music. Ken is the co-composer (with Bob Hurd) of the Gospel-styled song “Alleluia! Give the Glory”. Ken and the hosts talk about the advice Fr. Rivers gave Ken when he met him as a young composer and what elements of Fr. Rivers’ compositions Ken still strives to incorporate today. Ken is also a chronicler of the story of contemporary music in the North American Catholic Church since Vatican II, and he has authored two books on that subject; guest and hosts dig into Fr. Rivers’ place in that story. Ken’s fascinating, enlightening ideas about Fr. Rivers, his music and his legacy are too much for one episode to hold! Look for part 2 of our interview in Episode 19. For the Episode 18 Show Notes, click here.

Dr. Thomas Pink, professor of philosophy at King’s College in London, talks about how errors in the Church’s currently official theology have a root cause in the denial of the vital importance of the union of Church and State and of the role of Baptism. He proposes that instead of aiming for “dialogical harmony” with those who remain in the dominion of Satan, the Church’s duty is to convert the unconverted. And when those goals are contradicted by distortions of Catholic doctrine, our duty is to battle against official theology when it is nonsense.

Emily and Eric conclude their investigation of Fr. Rivers’ career teaching high school English and drama at Purcell in Cincinnati. Former Queen’s Man Kenneth Stevens shares his memories of Fr. Rivers as a teacher, director and inspiration for Ken’s long and productive career in the arts. Ken describes Rivers’ influence on his own career, contributing to his can-do attitude and his ability to look at situations without prejudice to create amazing results. Ken and the hosts talk about Rivers as a powerful mentor, and finally, Ken describes the scholarship he founded at Eastern Michigan University and why he named it after Fr. Clarence Rivers. For Show Notes for Episode 15, click here.

Christopher A Ferrara, Esq asks: How can the situation we are living through today happen in the Church? The crisis has entered a new phase, something we have not seen before in the past fifty years. The problem is not with doctrinal propositions that require us to believe something we did not have to believe before 1962, but with an ideology, a visionary theorizing, a social-political attitude consisting of new attitudes and other practical applications that were unleashed in the Church through an opening at the Second Vatican Council – a liberal-radical ideology of individualistic, rationalistic, and hedonistic forces that has caused untold damage within the Church and the world. Is the present Holy Father the fruit and agent of this para-concilliar ideology - wittingly or not?
Christopher A. Ferrara is an author and President and Chief Counsel of the American Catholic Lawyers Association, Inc

Join Sister Elise Saggau as she explores Franciscan life, like the gospel from which it takes its inspiration, as offering us a meaningful way of viewing life, which in turn translates into practical daily choices.

From Sister Elise’s interview:

“Conversion means a lifelong process by which each of us grows and matures into as full a human being as we can possibly be; this process involves stages or passages. … And these passages are essentially transformative in our life. When we undergo a conversion or when we undergo a new stage of personal growth, we have to leave behind what's familiar, what's comfortable, and we have to move into the unknown. I think that is often scary for people; it has been scary for me at different times of my life. ... It's only by moving into it that you find out that you not only have room for it, but it expands you and it gives you more room, more space to move about, more space to grow. And each of these stages brings you into a new stage of this greater expanded way of living.”

“All human beings go through this. And we who are in a religious way of living and reflecting on our life in a religious way, we believe these transformative moments lead us into becoming the very person that God intended from the moment of our creation. God didn't make us complete at the beginning. God created us, but God created us as possibility, and those possibilities have to keep getting fulfilled. Otherwise, if we don't die physically, we die internally.”

“St. Francis really understood conversion. And he understood it as an ever greater turning towards Christ and towards the gospel. He saw in the gospel...a universal formula for human growth and for the kind of growth that God intends for us. And he saw in Christ an absolute model of what human life can be. [Francis] wanted to follow Christ through the stages of life, to a greater life. He underwent this process in such a way that he was able then to provide a model for other people. They were drawn to his spirit and to his way of understanding…. They began to learn from Francis and follow him. It's very natural because it's part of our nature to be this way, to be growing people. To be growing beyond where we are into a larger and more complete form of ourselves.”

“Being a Franciscan is not primarily a matter of how one serves or what ministry. To me, it's a matter of how one lives. I believe that essential to our Franciscan Third Order Regular way of life is a community life centered on the other. …. I believe that the Franciscan view is that the other, no matter who he or she is, is a brother or a sister. That is fundamental to our Franciscan understanding.… this view of being sister or brother, recognizing the other as sister or brother, extends even to the more extensive creation. This is very Franciscan too -- the earth and all that it supports, the sun, the moon, the stars, the universe is part of a vast relationship, and all are worthy of attention and respect, and all speak to us of God, the source of all good.”

“This Franciscan way of life is like the gospel itself, from which it takes its inspiration. … It offers human beings a meaningful way of viewing life that translates into practical daily consequences. That's what a spirituality is; it takes a great spiritual concept and translates it into a way that we can live. And Francis and his way have been perennially, for 800 years attractive to human beings. Now I keep asking myself, how is this possible that this little guy over 800 years ago started something with so much power, it just spread around the world and it's still going. ... It gives color, it gives texture to our life in ways that are unique to the particular tradition. And we understand through our Franciscan way, our gospel way, that life is a pure gift, that every day is to be cherished and received with gratitude.”

“Just like Franciscanism has endured for 800 years, Gospel values have endured for over 2000 years, and millions of human beings have found meaning for their lives in the Christian way. 800 years ago, Francis and his followers chose to live the gospel in a way that was accessible to anyone, anywhere. It crossed all social and cultural lines and it continues to do so, even up to the present moment…. What is there about it that is so appealing?”

“We call our way of life Franciscan, but that's because we have received a certain historical spiritual tradition shaped and modeled by Francis of Assisi. He was a paradigmatic figure who lived in Italy in the 13th century and shared a spirit with a large community of people. An international community. We can shift away from that idea of an identifiable religious spirituality, because I think a life lived in gratitude and generosity, a life open to the wonder of the world around us and a life oriented to the welfare of others, a humble attitude that does not take any of life's opportunities or gifts for granted can be lived by anyone, anywhere. Models of such a life are abundant and are all around us. And each of our lives matters a great deal in the circles in which we live. And each one of us -- it doesn't matter what our religious background is -- every single day, each one of us decides what kind of a life we will live today and what we decide matters. It makes a difference. That decision has to be made every single day of our life. It's not something we decide once and then that's it. There's a universalism about this and you can go anywhere in the world and you can find these values. When we systematize them and classify them under a religious category or a spiritual category, that's all very good and helpful. But it's not exclusive. This is … a call to human beings. I think that somehow in the core of the Christian way of life and the core of Franciscan way of life, there is this call and message to anyone anywhere.”

For a full transcript, please include episode number and email: fslfpodcast@fslf.org.

References:

Haecceitas, term coined by Franciscan friar John Duns Scotus refers the uniqueness and dignity of all that exists; here are two references: https://cac.org/irreplaceable-thisness-2018-03-18/ , and https://www.ssfamericas.org/post/a-hagiography-of-blessed-john-duns-scotus  

Pope John XXIII convened the Vatican II; Council: here is a link to his opening prayer for the Council: https://www.papalartifacts.com/september-23-1959-pope-st-john-xxiiis-prayer-for-vatican-ii/ . To hear other podcast guests references to Vatican II, as well as to see show note links (click on ‘Read More’), type ‘Vatican’ into the search bar of this website, and several options will come up to explore.

Discernment: There are many spiritual traditions of discernment; here are some Franciscan discernment resources: https://osfphila.org/discernment-franciscan-style/ , together with a practical example from the Franciscan Mission Service: https://franciscanmissionservice.org/programs/apply/discernment/ .

Metanoia: Greek word with a rich range of translations ranging from biblical penance, to change of mind, to spiritual conversion. In our Third Order Regular Rule and Life commentary on article 2, three elements of metanoia are highlighted: to acknowledge God in creation, Scripture and in Jesus Christ; to adore God with one’s whole life; and to serve God in one’s neighbor. (1982, p. 37)

Saint Francis meeting with Leper: one contemporary reflection on this experience of Francis is: https://www.franciscanmedia.org/franciscan-spirit-blog/st-francis-meets-the-leper . For links to original texts and other resources, type ‘leper’ into the search bar of this website, and several options will come up to explore by listening to the cited podcasts, and/or by going to the show note links (click on ‘Read More’) for each indicated episode.

Bishop Thomas D. Doran tells us that the Council of Trent stemmed the tide of the Protestant Reformation. We cannot disregard the past. It is clear that something is greatly amiss in some Vatican Council II decisions. From the Campion Series.

Have you ever wondered what the connection is between Star Wars and the Vatican II? That would be surprising if you have. Julian Ahlquist is here to present the case that the Star Wars saga could be an apt analogy for the history of Vatican II. In this episode of Uncommon Sense, you’ll get an entertaining way to learn about this important event in Church history.

Join our guest, Sister Clara Stang, as she tells of her roots on the family farm flowering into wings of experiences ranging from rural communities in Tennessee to dialogue across religious traditions.

Sister Clara notes: “I want to celebrate the goodness that God has given us and to invite more people to see that beauty and to become part of it.... Look for the good, look for the beauty. Sometimes I think those things that divide get too much attention and they kind of eat up who we are eventually or take first place. And that's not the way God would like it to be. God created the world as good, created all people as good. We need to ask God to help us to see and to be grateful for that.”

References:

What was Vatican II? See five-minute video about the Council by Franciscan friar Casey Cole: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jyVq1hnxAqg. Sixteen documents were promulgated: https://www.ewtn.com/catholicism/library/16-documents-of-the-second-vatican-council-1509. See also Episode 6.

Saints Francis and Clare of Assisi: Co-founders of the Franciscan family: https://www.fslf.org/OurHistory/#FrancisofAssisiandtheFranciscanFirstOrder.

English as a second language and more: Hands Across the World: Sister Tonie Rausch and Brianda Cediel co-founded this initiative where Sister Clara volunteered: https://www.handsacrosstheworldmn.org/copy-of-contact-1. Brianda will be our guest in Episode 11.

My Neighbor is Muslim: This program has been used in various communities in Minnesota and has served to build bridges of understanding among Christian and Muslim neighbors: https://www.lssmn.org/get-involved/church-partnerships/resources/studies/my-neighbor-is-muslim.

Saint Francis and the Sultan: For informative articles in honor of the 800th Anniversary of this visit, see: https://ofm.org/blog/st-francis-and-the-sultan-1219-2019-a-commemorative-booklet/. See also Episode 6.

Nostra Aetate, Inter-faith relations document from Vatican II. The Declaration on the Relation of the Church to Non-Christian Religions: http://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat-ii_decl_19651028_nostra-aetate_en.html.

Romans 12:2 Do not conform yourselves to this age but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and pleasing and perfect

Mr. Michael Davies shows that Progressives understood the use of the media in a way in which their opponents did not. Moreover, media men were often on exactly the same wavelength as the progressives anyway. This, Mr. Davies explains, allowed the two groups together to give shape to the Council's development. Taken from: My End is My Beginning: The Analogy of Contemporary Christianity With its Ancient Setting - 2001 VonHildebrand Institute

Michael Davies says that Progressives were eager to work together with Protestants. This meant that Protestant observers of the Council often played not only a role but even a determining role in its sessions. Mr. Davies discusses the Protestants in question, their Catholic allies, and the specific influences they had. Taken from: My End is My Beginning: The Analogy of Contemporary Christianity With its Ancient Setting - 2001 VonHildebrand Institute

Mr. Michael Davies is most known for his work on the liturgical revolution. Here, he summarizes how the movement for liturgical reform transmuted into the monster that it became, and then used Vatican II, the organs established to effect the reforms of Vatican II, and the "spirit of the Council" to create the new liturgy. Taken from: My End is My Beginning: The Analogy of Contemporary Christianity With its Ancient Setting - 2001 VonHildebrand Institute

What is the Gospel according Bishop Barron and Vatican II Theology? Listen as Reid Karr analyzes an interview that took place between celebrity political commentator, Ben Shapiro and celebrity Roman Catholic Bishop, Robert Barron. 

The Catholic Current June 25, 2020

Special Guest: Fr. Donald Kloster
 Fr. Kloster discusses his most recent survey on the youth and the TLM.

The Catholic Current June 23, 2020

Special Guest: Michael Matt
Michael Matt of the Remnant Newspaper joins us for Timely Tuesday to discuss hot topics in the Church and the world.

Episode 69!

In this episode, I have the honor of welcoming back to the podcast an old friend, Jason Spadafore.  I interviewed him back in episode 15 and I wanted to have him back to see what sorts of mischief we could come up with. Jason writes under the pen name “Agostino Taumaturgo.” He has been a student of Christian spirituality and esotericism for almost 30 years, specializing in theology and what he calls “Catholic Occultism.”  Jason now writes, teaches, and lectures on spirituality, magic, and manifestation within a Christian paradigm. I’m glad to have Bishop Jason back on the podcast!

We talk about several things including the Roman Catholic Traditionalist Movement and Vatican II.

Links:

Convergent Streams: The Premier ISM Magazine.

This podcast is hosted by David Oliver Kling and is produced by the Community of Saint George a Young Rite Jurisdiction.

Cardinal Stickler gives a profound talk on the beauty of the Latin Mass. Alfons Cardinal Stickler gives a profound talk on the beauty and attractiveness of the traditional Latin Mass. “Now we can better appreciate and understand the theological background and foundation of the discussions and regulations of the Council of Trent concerning the Mass as the summit of the sacred liturgy. In response to the serious challenge of Protestantism we can now understand the theological attractiveness of the Tridentine Mass, not only for that particular historical period but also as a pattern for the Church and liturgical reform of Vatican II… The Mass is not and cannot be simply a celebration of Communion, or a mere remembrance or memorial of the sacrifice of the Cross, but rather a true, unbloody making present of this self-same sacrifice of the Cross… the Mass is an effective renewal of the sacrifice of the Cross. It is essentially an adoration of God, offered only to Him.”