How long, O Lord? In part, it's up to You
The Fatima Center welcomes to its website noted Catholic author and speaker, Louie Verrecchio. In 2004, Mr. Verrecchio authored and published the Harvesting the Fruit of Vatican II Faith Formation Series, which contended that documents of Vatican II did not change or contradict the doctrines of the faith as they have always been taught. In recent years, however, he has come to the conclusion that Catholics have been misled with respect to the Second Vatican Council and robbed of our rightful Catholic inheritance, both doctrinal and liturgical. Mr. Verrecchio’s regular column for The Fatima Center will consider the current crisis in the Church in light of the Message of Fatima.
by Louie Verrecchio
July 14, 2016
Over the past fifty-plus years, as the modernist infiltration of the Church has continued to make its presence felt even from the highest places in Rome, many a faithful and beleaguered Catholic has been moved to cry out after the Psalmist, David:How long, O Lord, wilt thou forget me unto the end? (Psalm 13:1)
As Father Nicholas Gruner never tired of saying, however, until Our Lady’s wishes as expressed at Fatima are met — most notably, the consecration of Russia to Her Immaculate Heart — the crisis in the Church will most certainly endure.
“Sister Lucy spoke of diabolical disorientation in the Church. It’s here, and it’s growing. It mirrors the diabolical disorientation in society. The two can hardly be separated. And there is only one way to turn the face of the Church and world back toward God: Obey Our Lady of Fatima — now! (E-Newsletter, Feb. 2014)
In the face of such a situation, it is easy to feel powerless.
Sure, we know that our prayers and sacrifices are of great value in the eyes of God, but beyond this, what can an ordinary Catholic possibly do to help bring about the triumph of the Immaculate Heart of Mary for which we so fervently long?
Over a span of decades, Father Gruner provided numerous answers to this very question, but as I write in this Season after Pentecost, one in particular stands out:
“You must do your part to help bring about Our Lady’s Triumph and Period of Peace by being more fully informed about the Reign of Christ the King.” (The Fatima Crusader, Issue 46, pg.18)
In this, Father Gruner was echoing the words of Pope Pius XI, who writing in the Encyclical Quas Primas, On the Feast of Christ the King, tells us:
“When once men recognize, both in private and in public life, that Christ is King, society will at last receive the great blessings of real liberty, well-ordered discipline, peace and harmony.” (Quas Primas - 19)
How, one might wonder, is Catholic doctrine concerning the Kingship of Christ related to the unfortunate fact that the popes have yet to carry out the requests that were made by Our Lady of Fatima?
Since the time of Vatican Council II — in particular, the Declaration on Religious Freedom, a document wherein false religions are essentially placed on par with the one true Faith, as if the Holy Catholic Church and her divine Head have no more rights and prerogatives in society than any other constituency — our churchmen, including the popes, have effectively ceased to proclaim the Social Kingship of Our Lord Jesus Christ.
Rather, they have treated those who plainly reject Christ, His reign, and His Church as if their salvation is secure in spite of their grievous errors. Based upon this alone, one is left to wonder if our sacred hierarchs themselves even believe that Christ is King!
Consider, for example, the approach of post-conciliar churchmen to the Jews.
On Pentecost, St. Peter boldly preached to his Jewish brethren:
“Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins!” (Acts 2:38)
As for why they must do so, our first pope explained:
“For David did not ascend into the heavens; but he himself says, ‘The Lord said to my Lord, Sit at my right hand, till I make thy enemies a stool for thy feet.’ Let all the house of Israel therefore know assuredly that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.” (Acts 2:34-36)
You see, St. Peter was letting the Jews know that Jesus is the long-awaited Son of David whose reign is everlasting; i.e., he was proclaiming the Kingship of Our Lord Jesus Christ in no uncertain terms, and it was by His authority that he called them to conversion!
Today, our churchmen have ceased to call not only the Jews, but anyone to enter the Holy Catholic Church, “which is the kingdom of Christ on earth” (Quas Primas - 12), and the reason is rather simple:
Vatican Council II, the dangers of which Our Lady forewarned in the still-hidden text of the Third Secret, was the dawn of a New Pentecost after which no one dares speak of the Kingship of Christ.
The results are plain for all to see: Real liberty is quickly being overtaken by licentiousness, well-ordered discipline is all the more supplanted by anarchy, and the peace that Our Lady promised is daily giving way to persecution and terror.
When the attention of all is focused once more on the Sovereign Rights of Christ the King, however, the heavenly gifts we desire will be made manifest, as it is only then that the words of the Queen Mother as spoken at Fatima will be taken seriously.
At this, I would encourage you to answer Father Gruner’s call to become more fully informed about the Reign of Christ the King by exploring the aforementioned Encyclical, Quas Primas.
Click HERE for a free download of the Traditio Faith Formation Series: Quas Primas wherein the Encyclical of Pope Pius XI is reprinted in its entirety, along with insightful commentary, followed by three lessons (suggested responses included) that include numerous Scripture references that aid participants in coming to a firm understanding of the immutable doctrine of the Church concerning the Kingship of Our Lord Jesus Christ.
The Traditio Faith Formation Series is suitable for both faith formation groups and individuals alike, so please feel free to spread it far and wide, and thus do your part to help bring about Our Lady’s triumph and the period of peace that She promised at Fatima.
