Christianity

The now famous saying, “keep thy mind in Hell and despair not,” is a word given by God to St. Silouan one night as he struggled intensely with demons. Six months after going to the Holy Mountain St. Silouan was blessed to experience a vision of Christ in glory, in which he experienced the full Christ, and the life of Christ. Eventually he felt this grace subsiding and so he dedicated himself to extreme ascetical struggles in hopes of attracting the grace of God again. One night, fifteen years later, mentally and spiritually exhausted, St. Silouan wanted simply to bow before Christ in His holy icon, but a terrible demon stood in his way, and he heard from God in his heart, “The proud always suffer from demons.” When he asked God how to defeat pride he heard again in his heart, “Keep thy mind in Hell and despair not.” From that point on he practiced this and humbled himself to the extreme, and he became so acquainted with the practice that he could go there with but a movement of his soul. Fr. Sophrony[1] says that ultimately this state is impossible to describe—one can only really know it by experience. Even amongst those who have experienced it, St. Silouan’s experience is unique in that even his body experienced the fires of Hell, as it was a charismatic gift from God which corresponded perfectly to his state.

[More at link]

https://infogalactic.com/info/Geocentrism

Well there's this site

https://galileowaswrong.blogspot.com/p/summary.html

> Galileo Was Wrong is a detailed and comprehensive treatment of the scientific evidence supporting Geocentrism, the academic belief that the Earth is immobile in the center of the universe. Garnering scientific information from physics, astrophysics, astronomy and other sciences, Galileo Was Wrong shows that the debate between Galileo and the Catholic Church was much more than a difference of opinion about the interpretation of Scripture.

> Scientific evidence available to us within the last 100 years that was not available during Galileo's confrontation shows that the Church's position on the immobility of the Earth is not only scientifically supportable, but it is the most stable model of the universe and the one which best answers all the evidence we see in the cosmos.

But also, as far as I understand it, Galileo was thought to be in the wrong not necessarily for scientific views, but for implied theological arguments based on those views.

For example, scientifically and theologically I thought geocentrism was the prevailing view at that time among scientists (God created the earth as a kind of "moral center" of the universe of God's Creation?); today acentrism (universe has no center) seems to be a prevailing scientific view. So by this logic, Galileo was wrong by modern scientific standards, and theologically some still argue for a kind of geocentrism or other such views (such as "galileowaswrong.com" or other such sites) against Galileo's theological views.

Hence Galileo was rightly criticized for lacking religious caution; his rebellious attitude against religion (again, not necessarily for supporting a speculative scientific view) indeed has caused centuries of harm, pitting science against religion, whereas true science can never contradict religious truth.

In my view, this sounds like part of the show, I think Vigano is probably in on. Just like Lefebvre and SSPX. They set up "conservatives" they can ban as "schismatic". Our position is rather the Vatican is in schism and Francis is neither a Catholic nor a pope. The Vatican's legitimacy must be undermined and tradition promoted instead, so that a traditional Catholic pope is elected who rejects Vatican 2 and believes and practices the Catholic faith.

(Also why it seemed like a waste of time for me to try to do anything under the Vatican only to be "excommunicated". Catholicism is "excommunicated" under the Vatican... meaning that the Vatican itself is not Catholic, and itself excommunicated, rather instead.)

Just wondering no big deal let me know if u can :)

> St. Bonaventure bears witness to this, when he says: "The most terrible penalty of the damned is being shut out forever from the blissful and joyous contemplation of the Blessed Trinity." Again, St. John Chrysostom says: "I know many persons only fear Hell because of its pains, but I assert that the loss of the celestial glory is a source of more bitter pain than all the torments of Hell."

> The evil one himself was made to acknowledge this, as we read in the legends of Blessed Jordan, at one time General of the Dominican Order. For when Jordan asked Satan, in the person of one who was possessed, what was the principal torment of Hell, he answered: "Being excluded from the presence of God." "Is God then so beautiful to look upon?" Jordan inquired. And on the devil replying that He was indeed most beautiful, he asked further: "How great is His beauty?" "Fool that thou art," was the rejoinder, "to put such a question to me! Dost thou not know that His beauty is beyond compare?" "Canst thou not suggest any similitude," Jordan continued, "which may give me to some extent at least an idea of the Divine beauty?" Then Satan said: "Imagine a crystal sphere a thousand times more brilliant than the sun, in which the loveliness of all the colors of the rainbow, the fragrance of every flower, the sweetness of every delicious flavour, the costliness of every precious stone, the kindliness of men and the attractiveness of all the Angels combined; fair and precious as this crystal would be, in comparison with the Divine beauty, it would be unsightly and impure."

> "And pray," the good monk inquired, "what wouldst thou give to be admitted to the vision of God?" And the devil replied: "If there were a pillar reaching from earth to Heaven, beset with sharp points and nails and hooks, I would gladly consent to be dragged up and down that pillar from now until the Day of Judgment, if I could only be permitted to gaze on the Divine countenance for a few brief moments."

from: http://www.catholictradition.org/Classics/4last-things3f.htm

http://www.catholictradition.org/Classics/4last-things.htm

The United Methodist Church has lost more than 1 million members over new rules on premarital sex and homosexuality.

The United Methodist Church in the Ivory Coast in West Africa announced its decision to leave the denomination after delegates repealed their church’s longstanding ban on LGBTQ clergy, removing a rule forbidding “self-avowed practicing homosexuals” from being ordained or appointed as ministers.

Delegates voted 692-51 during the General Conference in Charlotte, North Carolina, last month. Past General Conferences of the United Methodist Church reinforced the ban and related penalties amid debate and protests. However, many conservatives who had previously upheld the ban have left the denomination in recent years, and the General Conference has moved in a solidly progressive direction.

The change doesn’t mandate or even explicitly affirm LGBTQ clergy, but it means the church no longer forbids them.

In response, the Ivory Coast division stated on May 28 that they voted to disaffiliate “for reasons of conscience before God and His word, the supreme authority in matters of faith in life.”

https://archive.org/details/QuestionsOfMoralTheology

(page 355)

Summary: It's debated if it's difficult or not, yet it is encouraged that people attempt to have a perfect contrition for sin.

But either way it is an important theological topic from a Catholic perspective (arguably among the most important):

> In attempting to give an answer to this question I presuppose certain doctrines of Catholic faith. I presuppose that contrition is of such efficacy with God that an act of perfect contrition elicited from the motive of God's infinite goodness at once reconciles the sinner with God. This it does by virtue of perfect charity which contrition implicitly contains. I also presuppose that God seriously desires the salvation of all men, and in His Providence furnishes all with the means to obtain it. The question, then, is not merely one of speculative theology; it is exceedingly practical. For such as cannot receive the sacrament of Penance and yet have committed mortal sin an act of perfect contrition, or of perfect love of God, is the only means of salvation. Thus the question, whether an act of contrition is difficult or not is practically the same as the question whether it is difficult or not for the innumerable multitudes to obtain salvation who, for one reason or another, cannot receive the sacrament of Penance before death.

Catholic encyclopedia on Contrition:

https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/04337a.htm

> Catholic teaching distinguishes a twofold hatred of sin; one, perfect contrition, rises from the love of God Who has been grievously offended; the other, imperfect contrition, arises principally from some other motives, such as loss of heaven, fear of hell, the heinousness of sin, etc. (Council of Trent, Sess. XIV, ch. iv de Contritione).

An Act of Contrition

http://www.traditionalcatholic.net/Tradition/Prayer/Act_of_Contrition.html

> O my God! I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee; and I detest all my sins, because I dread the loss of heaven and the pains of hell, but most of all because they offend Thee, my God, Who art all good, and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve, with the help of Thy grace, to confess my sins, to do penance, and to amend my life. Amen.

Related Work: "Contrition: Golden Key of Paradise (1959)" https://ecatholic2000.com/cts/untitled-110.shtml

VATICAN CITY, May 27 (Reuters) - Pope Francis used a highly derogatory term towards the LGBT community as he reiterated in a closed-door meeting with Italian bishops that gay people should not be allowed to become priests, Italian media reported on Monday.

La Repubblica and Corriere della Sera, Italy's largest circulation dailies, both quoted the pope as saying seminaries, or priesthood colleges, are already too full of "frociaggine", a vulgar Italian term roughly translating as "removedtness".

The Vatican did not respond to a request for comment.

Some saints seem to have had this practice:

> ST. COLUMBA, the apostle of the Picts, was born of a noble family, at Gartan, in the county of Tyrconnel, Ireland, in 521. From early childhood he gave himself to God. In all his labors--and they were many--his chief thought was heaven and how he should secure the way thither. The result was that he lay on the bare floor, with a stone for his pillow, and fasted all the year round; yet the sweetness of his countenance told of the holy soul's interior serenity. Though austere, he was not morose; and, often as he longed to die, he was untiring in good works, throughout his life.

> [St.] Lupicinus used no other bed than a chair or a hard board; never touched wine, and would scarcely ever suffer a drop either of oil or milk to be poured on his pottage. In summer his subsistence for many years was only hard bread moistened in cold water, so that he could eat it with a spoon. His tunic was made of various skins of beasts sewn together,. with a cowl; he used wooden shoes, and wore no stockings unless when he was obliged to go out of the monastery.

> ST. FRANCIS OF PAULA. AT the age of fifteen Francis left his poor home at Paula in Calabria, to live as a hermit in a cave by the seacoast. In time disciples gathered round him, and with them, in 1436, he founded the "Minims," so called to show that they were the least of monastic Orders. They observed a perpetual Lent, and never touched meat, fish, eggs, or milk. Francis himself made the rock his bed; his best garment was a hair-shirt, and boiled herbs his only fare. As his body withered his faith grew powerful, and he "did all things in Him Who strengthened him." He cured the sick, raised the dead, averted plagues, expelled evil spirits, and brought sinners to penance. A famous preacher, instigated by a few misguided monks, set to work to preach against St. Francis and his miracles. The Saint took no notice of it, and the preacher, finding that he made no way with his hearers, determined to see this poor hermit and confound him in person. The Saint received him kindly, gave him a seat by the fire, and listened to a long exposition of his own frauds. He then quietly took some glowing embers from the fire, and closing his hands upon them unhurt, said, "Come, Father Anthony, warm yourself, for you are shivering for want of a little charity" Father Anthony, falling at the Saint's feet, asked for pardon, and then, having received his embrace, quitted him, to become his panegyrist and attain himself to great perfection.

via Lives of the Saints, by Alban Butler, Benziger Bros.

"Rogation Days" In Catholic Encyclopedia: https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/13110b.htm

> Days of prayer, and formerly also of fasting, instituted by the Church to appease God's anger at man's transgressions, to ask protection in calamities, and to obtain a good and bountiful harvest

> The Rogation Days are the 25th of April, called Major, and the three days before the feast of the Ascension, called Minor.

> Saint George's Day is the feast day of Saint George.

> It is celebrated by various Christian Churches and by the several nations, kingdoms, countries, and cities of which Saint George is the patron saint. Saint George's Day is celebrated on 23 April, the traditionally accepted date of Saint George's death in 303 AD.

> Bilocation, or sometimes multilocation, is an alleged psychic or miraculous ability wherein an individual or object is located (or appears to be located) in two distinct places at the same time.

> Several Christian saints, monks and Muslim sufis are said to have exhibited bilocation. Among the earliest is the apparition of Our Lady of the Pillar in the year 40. Other Christian figures said to have experienced bilocation include St. Alphonsus Marie De'Liguori (Founder of Redemptorist Congregation), St. Anthony of Padua, Ursula Micaela Morata, St. Gerard Majella, Charles of Mount Argus, Padre Pio,[13] St. Severus of Ravenna, St. Ambrose of Milan, María de Ágreda,[14] and St. Martin de Porres, María de León Bello y Delgado, as well as Pope Cyril VI of Alexandria. St Isidore the Laborer claimed to be praying or attending to Mass in Church while at the same time plowing in the fields.

> Several religious figures have historically claimed to have bilocated. In 1774, St. Alphonsus Liguori claimed to have gone into a trance while preparing for Mass. When he came out of the trance he said that he had visited the bedside of the dying Pope Clement XIV.

Brisbane, Australia CNN — The last time Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel addressed his parishioners he was standing at the front of a church delivering an Assyrian bible reading that was dramatically cut short by the dark shadow of an alleged assailant armed with a knife.

From hospital on Thursday, after a traumatic week for the city of Sydney, the injured bishop uttered his first words to followers in an audio message posted to the Christ The Good Shepherd Church Facebook page – the same account that inadvertently live-streamed the attack three days earlier.

“The Lord Jesus never said go out and fight in the street; never said to retaliate, but to pray,” Emmanuel said, in an apparent reference to the riot that erupted outside the church in the city’s western suburbs as clips of the attack spread quickly online.

> The Regina Cæli or Regina Cœli ... is an ancient Latin Marian Hymn of the Catholic Church.

> The Regina Coeli is sung or recited in place of the Angelus during the Easter season, from Holy Saturday through the Saturday after Pentecost.

Catholic encyclopedia on topic ("Regina Coeli"): https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/12718b.htm

> Latin text

> Regina cæli, lætare, alleluia:

> R. Quia quem meruisti portare, alleluia,

> Resurrexit, sicut dixit, alleluia,

> R. Ora pro nobis Deum, alleluia.

> Gaude et lætare, Virgo Maria, alleluia.

> R. Quia surrexit Dominus vere, alleluia.

> Oremus.

> Deus, qui per resurrectionem Filii tui, Domini nostri Iesu Christi,

> mundum lætificare dignatus es:

> præsta, quæsumus, ut per eius Genitricem Virginem Mariam,

> perpetuæ capiamus gaudia vitæ.

> Per eundem Christum Dominum nostrum. R. Amen.

> English text

> Queen of Heaven, rejoice, alleluia.

> For He Whom you deserved to bear, alleluia.

> Has risen, as He said, alleluia.

> Pray for us to God, alleluia.

> V. Rejoice and be glad, O Virgin Mary, alleluia.

> R. For the Lord is truly risen, alleluia.

Additionally is often added (via St. Joseph's Missal text)

> Let us pray.

> O God, Who by the Resurrection of Thy Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, vouchsafed to give joy to the whole world, grant, we beseech Thee, that, through the intercession of the Virgin Mary, His Mother, we may attain the joys of eternal life. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.

As some people may be unaware of the Angelus prayer:

> The Angelus is a short practice of devotion in honour of the Incarnation repeated three times each day, morning, noon, and evening, at the sound of the bell. It consists essentially in the triple repetition of the Hail Mary, to which in later times have been added three introductory versicles and a concluding versicle and prayer.

https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/01486b.htm

https://infogalactic.com/info/Angelus

> In reference to Judas Iscariot's intent to betray Jesus, formed on ... Wednesday [in Holy Week], the day is sometimes called "Spy Wednesday". ... (The word spy, as used in the term, means "ambush, ambuscade, snare".

https://infogalactic.com/info/Holy_Wednesday

> Most scholars[citation needed] agree that the English word Maundy in that name for the day is derived through Middle English and Old French mandé, from the Latin mandatum, the first word of the phrase "Mandatum novum do vobis ut diligatis invicem sicut dilexi vos" ("A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you"), the statement by Jesus in the Gospel of John 13:34 by which Jesus explained to the Apostles the significance of his action of washing their feet. ... Others theorize that the English name "Maundy Thursday" arose from "maundsor baskets" or "maundy purses" of alms which the king of England distributed to certain poor at Whitehall before attending Mass on that day. Thus, "maund" is connected to the Latin mendicare, and French mendier, to beg.

https://infogalactic.com/info/Maundy_Thursday

"Tre Ore" (Three Hours) Devotion

https://infogalactic.com/info/Three_Hours%27_Agony

> The Three Hours' Agony, "Tre Ore". The Great Three Hours, or Three Hours' Devotion is a service held ... on Good Friday from noon till 3 o'clock to commemorate the Passion of Christ.

> It may include meditation on the seven sayings of Jesus on the cross,[1] and often occurs between the Stations of the Cross at noon and the Liturgy of the Lord's Passion at 3PM, or between 6PM and 9PM.[2]

( https://infogalactic.com/info/Sayings_of_Jesus_on_the_cross )

> The Jesuit priest Alphonsus Messia (died 1732) is said to have devised this devotion in Lima, Peru. It was introduced to Rome around 1788 and spread around the world. In 1815, Pope Pius VII decreed a plenary indulgence to those who practise this devotion on Good Friday.[3]

Tenebrae

https://infogalactic.com/info/Tenebrae

> Tenebrae (Latin for "shadows" or "darkness") is a Christian religious service celebrated in the Holy Week within Western Christianity, on the evening before or early morning of Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday. Tenebrae is distinctive for its gradual extinguishing of candles while a series of readings and psalms is chanted or recited.

> The Roman rite of Tenebrae was widely observed in the Catholic Church [in the past]

Discuss other topics related to Holy Week?

https://infogalactic.com/info/Holy_Week

Friday of Sorrows:

> The Friday of Sorrows is a solemn pious remembrance of the sorrowful Blessed Virgin Mary on the Friday before Palm Sunday held in the fifth week of Lent

> In certain Catholic countries, especially in Mexico, Guatemala, Italy, Peru, Brazil, Spain, Malta,[1] Nicaragua and the Philippines, it is seen as the beginning of the Holy Week celebrations and termed as Viernes de Dolores (Friday of Sorrows).[2] It takes place exactly one week before Good Friday, and concentrates on the emotional pain that the Passion of Jesus Christ caused to his mother, the Blessed Virgin Mary, who is venerated under the title Our Lady of Sorrows.

> Like all Fridays in Lent, this Friday is a day of abstinence from meat

https://infogalactic.com/info/Friday_of_Sorrows

Seven Sorrows of Mary Prayer Devotion:

> The Seven Sorrows (or Dolors) are events in the life of the Blessed Virgin Mary that are a popular devotion and are frequently depicted in art.[1]

> It is a common devotion for Catholics to say daily one Our Father and seven Hail Marys for each.

The Seven Sorrows are:

> The Prophecy of Saint Simeon. (Luke 2:34–35)

> The escape and Flight into Egypt. (Matthew 2:13)

> The Loss of the Child Jesus in the Temple of Jerusalem. (Luke 2:43–45)

> The Meeting of Mary and Jesus on the Via Dolorosa.

> The Crucifixion of Jesus on Mount Calvary. (John 19:25)

> The Piercing of the Side of Jesus, and His Descent from the Cross. (Matthew 27:57–59)

> The Burial of Jesus by Joseph of Arimathea. (John 19:40–42)

https://infogalactic.com/info/Our_Lady_of_Sorrows

These are very short prayers - how short I guess may be subjective, but I think of them as only being a few words (some of the ones listed seem longer) - which can be prayed at any time, and it seems especially in times of emergency.

> Within Roman Catholicism, some common ejaculations include the Jesus Prayer, the Fatima Prayer of the Holy Rosary, Come Holy Spirit, and Eternal Rest. (From Ejaculatory Prayer Wiki Entry)

This site (which I would double check but I think most are fine) says of them:

https://christhekingcatholichurch.wordpress.com/devotion/short-ejaculations-mini-prayers/

> These short “mini-prayers,” also called “aspirations” or “invocations,” are to be said throughout the day to keep our minds focused on Heavenly things and to consecrate our efforts. It is good to adopt one of these as your own so that in times of stress, words that can focus your attention back to the holy come easily.

It lists as examples:

> Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us.

> Holy Mary, pray for us.

> Blessed be God!

Additionally simply the name of Jesus (one word), reverently pronounced, has been identified as this kind of prayer.

I bind to myself today

The strong virtue of the Invocation of the Trinity:

I believe the Trinity in the Unity

The Creator of the Universe.

I bind to myself today

The virtue of the Incarnation of Christ with His Baptism,

The virtue of His crucifixion with His burial,

The virtue of His Resurrection with His Ascension,

The virtue of His coming on the Judgement Day.

I bind to myself today

The virtue of the love of seraphim,

In the obedience of angels,

In the hope of resurrection unto reward,

In prayers of Patriarchs,

In predictions of Prophets,

In preaching of Apostles,

In faith of Confessors,

In purity of holy Virgins,

In deeds of righteous men.

I bind to myself today

The power of Heaven,

The light of the sun,

The brightness of the moon,

The splendour of fire,

The flashing of lightning,

The swiftness of wind,

The depth of sea,

The stability of earth,

The compactness of rocks.

I bind to myself today

God's Power to guide me,

God's Might to uphold me,

God's Wisdom to teach me,

God's Eye to watch over me,

God's Ear to hear me,

God's Word to give me speech,

God's Hand to guide me,

God's Way to lie before me,

God's Shield to shelter me,

God's Host to secure me,

Against the snares of demons,

Against the seductions of vices,

Against the lusts of nature,

Against everyone who meditates injury to me,

Whether far or near,

Whether few or with many.

I invoke today all these virtues

Against every hostile merciless power

Which may assail my body and my soul,

Against the incantations of false prophets,

Against the black laws of heathenism,

Against the false laws of heresy,

Against the deceits of idolatry,

Against the spells of women, and smiths, and druids,

Against every knowledge that binds the soul of man.

Christ, protect me today

Against every poison, against burning,

Against drowning, against death-wound,

That I may receive abundant reward.

Christ with me, Christ before me,

Christ behind me, Christ within me,

Christ beneath me, Christ above me,

Christ at my right, Christ at my left,

Christ in the fort,

Christ in the chariot seat,

Christ in the poop [deck],

Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me,

Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks to me,

Christ in every eye that sees me,

Christ in every ear that hears me.

I bind to myself today

The strong virtue of an invocation of the Trinity,

I believe the Trinity in the Unity

The Creator of the Universe.

useful tips when you want to get deeper in knowing God and what he is trying to tell us in Bible

I don't see many "conservative Christians" discuss this topic, but frequently in the Bible there are calls for people to care for the poor, like the story of the rich man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31), where the rich man was condemned for having the means to help Lazarus who was poor and in need and did not do so.

Therefore, "naturally" or "supernaturally", God allows or makes people to be rich and poor which is unequal, and urges the richer to help the poorer, which makes them "more economically equal" (no?). Hence is it not a goal of "conservative Christians" to promote some kind of "economic equality" where all are able to be able to meet their needs? For the rich to voluntarily become poorer, and for the poor to become richer, or for all to have a certain amount of needs met, whether through their own earning or charitable aid?

An attempt at "absolute economic equality" would seem to be impossible or undesireable (hence I think of such economic equality as "relative"; there can still be richer or poorer, but is there a desire for trying to eliminate extremes on either end?).

So are "conservative Christians" for "economic equality", or what do you think of this topic and issue?