The SHOCK! The HORROR!
Yes, truly. But not for Archbishop Bergoglio’s participation.
And not because there were puppets at Mass.
And not because the moderation queue of Holy Souls Hermitage comments box is jammed with the video I have placed in this post.
But because it was put there in the comments box by those, it seems, with the self-congratulatory spittle-flecked hatred of Pope Francis that is spawned not so much by fear or dismay, but with, it seems, the arrogance of those who, with a dance and a song, themselves play the puppets of anti-Catholicism as they exclaim: “Neyah neyah neyah neyah neyah! We’re right! You’re wrong! Because we’re sede-vacantists, and we are each of us a Pope, and so we are always right!” Sigh.
(1) Did Archbishop Bergoglio give prior approval to this Mass, or was he ambushed? Take a look at him in the procession out. He’s rather different from the others, don’t you think? Just, like, you know, a little?
(2) Were puppets a part of the liturgy, or was that something that went on beforehand, with the puppets relegated to the back top tier of the bleachers, as far away as they could be during the Mass itself? Beforehand and relegated to the back. Interesting.
Jumping to conclusions which foment hatred is not a good sign of being a good son or daughter of the Church, is it? No. It’s not.
Before we get started, let me say this. I think that there are very few in this world alive today, or who have died in the last forty years or so, who have suffered more on behalf of the promotion of the Extraordinary Form of the Mass than yours truly. I’ve heard lots of stories. Very few have surpassed what I’ve been through. That’s just the way it is. It’s a joy to be crucified for the Lord. Tough while it’s happening, to be sure, but well worth it, both personally and for the Church. And… and… I’m not bitter about it. One of these days the stories will be written in the autobiography, if the Lord so pleases.
Also, just to say, I’ve seen a thousand times over how bishops can be ambushed by a clergy which wants nothing more than to discredit their bishops. I’ve seen it and I’ve heard about it, not only in the multitude of countries and continents where I’ve worked as priest and taught in seminaries right around the world, but also in Rome, where I lived for decades, where horror stories came my way from members of the curia, whose stories were on their desks, from lowly still-on-probation “officials” to Cardinals. Archbishop Bergoglio was quite violently hated by a good percentage of the clergy of his Archdiocese, was he not, and for a thousand reasons? He despised the liberation theologians and gay-rights crowds, of which there are many. One should be careful to strike at the anointed of the Lord.
Now then, to the point. There are those who are terribly weak in faith who, over the next weeks, will try to prove that hating Pope Francis is justified because of whatever dirt they think they dig up. Whether that dirt is real or just conveniently perceived to be that way matters not. What matters for them is striking at the Lord’s anointed. This, they think, will justify them. But, consider these questions:
Why do you think it is that when a Pope is elected, any excommunications and penalties he may have had levied against him are dropped? So that he can start fresh? Yep. So that he will not be hindered? Yep.
Why do you think that the room where he vests in his new clothing after his election is called the room of tears? Does the elect of the Lord have a sudden realization of what has come upon him, much like Saint Thomas Becket did when he became Archbishop?
And what of those who will not give the Holy Spirit any leeway to work on any of us? What is to be said about them? Will they know wailing and gnashing of teeth instead of such tears?
I have no intention of turning the comments box of Holy Souls Hermitage over to the bitter, to the self-congratulating, to those who refuse to fight the fight of the Church Militant in union with the Vicar of Christ, who refuse to be crucified. No, no. I will allow just one But Father! But Father! …
But Father! But Father! You publicly criticized Pope Benedict XVI. So, what on earth are you talking about?!
Sure I did. Something about Genesis 3,15 in a certain thesis. I did that with the express blessing of His Holiness, a most gracious gentleman, a most humble scholar, more so than all others on the face of the earth.
The point here, instead, is that one is to give a newly elected Supreme Pontiff a chance. Honestly!
Let’s pray for our Holy Father, Pope Francis, gloriously reigning. Let’s pray with a spirit of goodness and kindness, not of despair and bitterness. Let’s be eager sons and daughters of the Church, eager to be crucified with the Lord Jesus and with the Holy Father.
I ask each of those who hate Pope Francis: Quo vadis?
Accompany me, Father George David Byers, S.S.L., S.T.D., as I begin life as a Catholic Priest-Hermit by choice. Holy Souls Hermitage is dedicated to the sanctification of my fellow priests, bishops, deacons & seminarians going through the purgatory of this life or the next. Prayer and sacrifice go up, of course, for both Benedict XVI and the next Successor of Saint Peter. 
Wow, all of this bickering amongst the flock must be exactly what the evil one wants. I think some extra prayers to St. Michael are in order! I think Pope Francis is exactly what we need right now. If it is what God has allowed it must be in our best interest and what is best for the church. God bless Pope Francis!
Beautifully said, Father.
Oh my! What horrible stuff to wake up to on this bright and sunny day. I was so at peace about it all when I went to sleep last night. As St. Francis de Sales says, “Pay no attention to what your enemies say.” Be it right or wrong, any true enemy of the Church is an enemy of mine.
I will pray for our new Pope, that nothing will discourage him.
Thank you Father for all your posts. I read a horrible blog last night “[...]” which I always use on Sunday mornings for reflection before Holy Mass. While I wasn’t shocked, it actually hurt to hear someone be so hateful! Must pray for these people.
[[[ Hello Joanne: David took down the post under obedience, though with the caveat that he may, quite continuously, bring it to everyone's attention from now on. Quite the obedience! ]]]
Thank you, Father, for your reason, and your example of basic Christian Charity!
Hi Fr. George,
You said “(1) Did Archbishop Bergoglio give prior approval to this Mass, or was he ambushed? Take a look at him in the procession out. He’s rather different from the others, don’t you think? Just, like, you know, a little?”
I watched the video that you posted but it doesn’t show the future Pope Francis actually leaving. Did i miss something, or did you post the wrong video?
Thank you for your insightful commentary on this very significant day in church history.
While certainly not my cup of tea, and not something that would have happened at certain points in the history of the Church, there are certainly some good things in what went on at the offertory, which was what I bothered to watch. He was well-vested. His immediate concelebrants (I assume auxillaries) were well-vested and attentive, and there was incense. If all of those present were actually dying to go to an Extraordinary Form Mass and they were forced into this, I could see a problem–but if you want to evangelize, go to where the marginally evangelized are and lead them slowly on from good (or maybe from marginally ok-wherever they are) onto better.
Given that his call was to evangelize everyone in his diocese, not to produce videos on how to celebrate liturgy in the most objectively reverent fashion, I don’t see any room for quarrelling. Yes, if he was capable of devoting loads of time to micromanage the event, or had tons of highly faithful assistants to delegare to, something else might be done, but given limitted time, resources, and many demands, I am sure that many would either have done much worse or have done nothing. Quarterbacking from the sidelines is so easy.
I think I remember reading asking you where to find the Churches in Buenos Aires that have the TLM
This site might be helpful:
http://the-hermeneutic-of-continuity.blogspot.com/2013/03/old-rite-mass-in-argentina.html
Pater, here is the Hermeneutic of Continuity on Extraordinary Form Masses in Argentina, that corroborates your earlier post about the new Holy Father’s implementation of Summorum Pontificum in his former archdiocese:
http://the-hermeneutic-of-continuity.blogspot.com/2013/03/old-rite-mass-in-argentina.html
Hello Jim, I might have posted the wrong video. There were so many, and they all looked the same. I suppose that there were many editings and repostings on youtube. I just grabbed the first one I came to in the comments box. I’ll have to look later for what a different edit of this.
The commentary on the hermeneutic of continuity and information seems to me very good news indeed. If a good Jesuit is anything, he is obedient, and Pope Francis also seems quite humble–and is likely aware that he does not know everything about everything. His hyper prompt obedience is commendable, and doubly so if he personally is not moved by the extraordinary form. I imagine that he will be much more inclined to observe and have observe existing laws in areas that are not his forte or to which he does not have much time to devote. I see no grounds for worry.
Excellent observations Scott. He may use that forte of Jesuit obedience to get the Jebbies in various universities in America back into line. I think of Gonzaga, et al.
I admit to being mystified by the reactions. I know I woke up this morning to read of a Christian man who had was appointed yesterday and had given up his limousine by today, who eats alone in homeless hostels, and who has so much respect for others that he asks them to pray for him before he prays for them. My faith was hanging by a thread but it seems to have been an unbreakable one. Here’s to tomorrow.
As for the video, should we not be overjoyed at the presence of so many children, the next generation, at a Mass?
Rory! Yes! Thank you! Hah!
well for the sake of accurate information:
http://the-hermeneutic-of-continuity.blogspot.com/2013/03/an-apology-to-rorate-caeli-and.html
[Marie: I don't understand your point. Father Finigan is apologizing because of geographical presumptions he made. However, he makes the same mistake as so many others, blaming the Archbishop for an incorrect celebration of the TLM by a priest. So, are you saying, Marie, that you know as a fact that the Archbishop specifically instructed the priest to make changes to the rubrics? Also, the point I'm trying to make is that in the worst case scenario, the newly elected Pontiff is not to have such past mistakes held over his head. To do so runs against the tradition of the Church, which frees even excommunicated individuals from the penalties under which they have been burdened. To hold anything of the past against a new Pope is not only against tradition, but it is to strike at the Church. Really. Not. Good. Praying is one thing, but helping to cause division in the Church is another. People say that they want to be honest and say what's what. I think it is not up to such a standard to hold the misapplication of rubrics wrought by a priest against an Archbishop who was himself trying to do something good. It is not good to strike at the Lord's anointed.]
Which does not mean our Holy Father is going to do anything against the TLM. So we pray for the Holy Father:
For the Pope
O Jesus,
invisible head of that Church which thou hast built upon a rock, and against which thou hast promised that the gates of hell shall never prevail, preserve, strengthen, and guide him whom thou hast appointed its visible head.
Grant that he may be the model as well as the pastor of thy flock.
May he be the first in holiness, as well as dignity.
May he be the worthy vicar of thy charity,
as well as of thy authority.
Inspire him with an ardent desire
for thy glory and for the salvation of souls;
and give him faithful and zealous cooperators,
who, by their example and works,
will move and convert sinners,
confirm the just,
and lead them through the dangers of this life
to the mansions of eternal bliss.
Amen