Joined: 07 Jul 2005 Posts: 10261 Location: Central Massachusetts
Posted: Mon Jan 28, 2008 11:45 am Post subject: The Roman Curia Wakes Up and Strikes Three Blows
The Roman Curia Wakes Up and Strikes Three Blows
Thanks to a few carefully chosen changes in the Vatican offices, Benedict XVI is getting what he wants. The proof is in three recent decisions by officials for the clergy, the causes of saints, and the liturgy
ROMA, January 28, 2008 – The general reform of the Roman curia that many were expecting to come as a "tsunami" has not happened – and will not happen. But proceeding in small steps, with a few carefully chosen appointments, Benedict XVI has nonetheless moved straight toward his goal. Today the curia meets the pope's expectations, and it implements his directions more efficiently than it did a year or two ago.
The instrument through which the curia explains what it does is also new. This instrument is "L'Osservatore Romano." For three months, since the pope's newspaper has been directed by professor Giovanni Maria Vian and has radically changed its appearance, nearly every day it publishes an interview with one or another of the Vatican's officials. These interviews reveal not only what a particular office has done, but sometimes they announce beforehand what it will do – and why.
At this beginning of the new year, the curia has given at least three signals of effectively following through on the pope's instructions. One of these comes from the congregation for the clergy, another from the congregation for the causes of the saints, and another from the officials for the liturgy.
* * *
1. In "L'Osservatore Romano" on January 5, cardinal Cláudio Hummes, prefect of the congregation for the clergy, announced that he had sent to bishops, pastors, religious superiors, and seminary rectors all over the world a letter to ask that in every diocese "cenacles" of perpetual Eucharistic adoration be established, with the aim of "sanctifying" priests through prayer.
Among the motivations for the initiative, Hummes explicitly referred to the sexual "sins" committed on the part of a "minimal" but still significant part of the clergy:
"We ask all to do Eucharistic adoration in order to make reparation before God for the grave injury that has been done, and to recover the dignity of the victims. Yes, we wanted to think of the victims, so that they might feel that we are near. They are uppermost in our thoughts; it is important to say this."
These statements echo the memorable mea culpa for the "filth in the Church, and precisely among those who, in the priesthood, should belong completely to Jesus" that then-cardinal Joseph Ratzinger included in the papal Via Crucis on Good Friday of 2005.
But there is also a practical application of the return to adoration of the Eucharist encouraged by Benedict XVI on various occasions, the first time with his silent prayer, on his knees, before the consecrated host at the World Youth Day in Cologne in August of 2005, and another time in Saint Peter's Square
with the children of Rome and Lazio who had recently received their First Communion, and most recently in Saint Peter's Basilica last October 31, when for the first time he added Eucharistic adoration and benediction to the year-end Te Deum.
Cardinal Hummes's letter has met with a concrete response in many places. In Italy, the first dioceses to institute cenacles of Eucharistic adoration "for the sanctification of priests" have been, in addition to Rome, those of Macerata, Turin, Syracuse, Ragusa, Oristano.
On the feast of the Epiphany, "Avvenire," the newspaper of the Italian bishops' conference, dedicated to Hummes's initiative a front page editorial written by the theologian PierAngelo Sequeri:
"It is time, finally, for a Christianity of adoration. It is time for a Christianity that believes in the body of the Lord, and relies entirely on the impassioned power of the Son, who precisely in his Body sustains history amid its powerlessness. [...] When the ecclesiastical minister, who is essentially ordered to the body of the Lord, culpably loses respect for the bodies of the children entrusted to his good faith, it is right that the scandal be acknowledged and that, accepting responsibility for the injury and our weakness and limitations, we call upon the Lord for help."
* * *
2. In an interview with "L'Osservatore Romano" on January 9, and in an unsigned note published by the same newspaper four days later, cardinal José Saraiva Martins, prefect of the congregation for the causes of saints, announced that toward the end of February there will be the public presentation of the instruction "Sanctorum Mater," on the opening of causes of beatification, an instruction that until now was known only to those directly involved in the process.
The document – dated May 17, 2007, the Italian text of which was published in "Acta Apostolicae Sedis" issue no. 6, June 1, 2007, pp. 465-510 – translates into precise norms the guidelines that Benedict XVI gave to the congregation for the causes of saints in a message on April 27, 2006.
Caution and accuracy: these are the criteria that the pope and the congregation want to see more closely observed.
In particular, the instruction demands that "the seriousness of the investigations" into the alleged miracles "be safeguarded, [...] the procedures for the examination of which have, over the last twenty years, produced problematic elements."
Greater guarantees have also been established concerning the "reputation of sanctity." Without this – without, that is, an exemplary Christian life already recognized as such by a great number of the faithful, no process of beatification will be opened anymore. In other words: the pride and entrepreneurship of a religious order toward their founder or confrere are not enough.
Other stringent norms concern the gathering of documents and testimonies. Questions will be posed to the witnesses in a simple and concise manner, so as "to solicit answers that exhibit knowledge of concrete facts and the sources of this knowledge." This is meant to avoid formulations that are "insidious, deceptive, suggesting the desired answers."
It remains the case that, in order for the cause to proceed "there must emerge absolutely no element that goes against faith or good morals," so due emphasis must be given to "any findings that contradict the reputation of sanctity."
The document recommends moreover that the bishops avoid "any action that might induce the faithful to believe wrongly" that the investigation underway must necessarily lead to beatification or canonization. Before the conclusion of the diocesan cause, it must on the contrary be assured and certified that the servant of God "not be the object of undue devotion."
It is easy to read in these norms a correction of the tendency toward an "inflationary" approach toward beatifications and canonizations that had crept in during the past few decades.
One of the very first decisions of Joseph Ratzinger, following his election as pope, was that of reserving only the canonizations for himself and of delegating beatifications to others, generally in the country of origin of the new blessed.
* * *
3. On Monday, January 14 "L'Osservatore Romano," in reporting on the Mass and baptisms celebrated by Benedict XVI in the Sistine Chapel the previous Sunday, the feast of the Baptism of the Lord, emphasized that "for the first time since the beginning of his pontificate," the pope "celebrated the Mass in public from the traditional altar" (see the photo at the top).
And it explained:
"He decided to celebrate at the ancient altar in order not to alter the beauty and harmony of this architectural gem, preserving its structure from the viewpoint of the celebration and making use of a possibility provided for by the liturgical guidelines. At certain moments the pope thus found himself with his back to the faithful and his gaze upon the Cross, orienting in this way the attitude of the entire assembly."
A few days later, in a January 20 interview with Vatican Radio, the new master of ceremonies for the pontifical liturgies, Guido Marini, gave these additional explanations:
"I believe that it is important first of all to consider the orientation that the liturgical celebration is always called upon to display: I refer to the centrality of the Lord, the Savior crucified and risen from the dead. This orientation must determine the interior disposition of the whole assembly, and in consequence, the exterior manner of celebrating as well. The placement of the cross on the altar, at the center of the assembly, has the capacity to communicate this fundamental aspect of liturgical theology. There can also be particular circumstances in which, because of the artistic conditions of the sacred place and its singular beauty and harmony, it would be preferable to celebrate at the ancient altar, which preserves the precise orientation of the liturgical celebration. This is exactly what happened in the Sistine Chapel. This practice is permitted by the liturgical norms, and is in harmony with the conciliar reform."
As for the celebrant "turning his back to the faithful":
"In the circumstances in which the celebration takes place in this manner, this is not so much a question of turning one's back to the faithful, but rather of orienting oneself toward the Lord, together with the faithful. From this point of view, instead of being closed the door is opened for the faithful, to lead them to the Lord. In the Eucharistic liturgy, the participants do not look at one another; they look to the One who is our East, the Savior."
And about the motu proprio "Summorum Pontificum," which liberalized the use of the ancient rite of the Mass:
"The Church's liturgy, like all of its life, is characterized by continuity: I would speak of development in continuity. This means that the Church proceeds on its journey through history without losing sight of its own roots and its own living tradition: this can even require, in some cases, the recovery of valuable and important elements that have been lost and forgotten along the way, and the authentic meaning of which has been dimmed by the passage of time. It seems to me that the motu proprio moves in precisely this direction, reaffirming very clearly that in the Church's liturgical life there is continuity, without rupture. One must not speak, therefore, of a return to the past, but of a true enrichment for the present, in view of tomorrow."
In any case, an instruction on the motu proprio is being prepared "that soundly establishes the criteria of application": cardinal secretary of state Tarcisio Bertone announced this in an interview with "Famiglia Cristiana" on January 6.
Moreover, there will soon be published a new formulation of the prayer for the Jews contained in the rite for Good Friday in the 1962 "Tridentine" missal liberalized by the motu proprio. The references to the condition of "darkness" and "blindness" of the Jewish people will disappear, while the prayer for their conversion will remain. "Because in the liturgy we are always praying for conversion, of ourselves in the first place and then of all Christians and non-Christians," explained archbishop Angelo Amato, secretary of the congregation for the doctrine of the faith, in an interview with "Avvenire."
Returning to the orientation of the celebration, to understand to what extent the words of master of pontifical ceremonies Guido Marini reflect the thought of Benedict XVI, it is enough to note what the pope said in this passage from his last general audience on Wednesday, January 23:
"In the liturgy of the ancient Church, after the homily the bishop or presider of the celebration, the main celebrant, said: 'Conversi ad Dominum'. Then he himself and everyone else stood up and faced the East. Everyone wanted to look toward Christ."
Joined: 27 Jan 2008 Posts: 308 Location: Philadelphia Area
Posted: Mon Jan 28, 2008 12:10 pm Post subject:
Quote:
3. On Monday, January 14 "L'Osservatore Romano," in reporting on the Mass and baptisms celebrated by Benedict XVI in the Sistine Chapel the previous Sunday, the feast of the Baptism of the Lord, emphasized that "for the first time since the beginning of his pontificate," the pope "celebrated the Mass in public from the traditional altar" (see the photo at the top).
And it explained:
"He decided to celebrate at the ancient altar in order not to alter the beauty and harmony of this architectural gem, preserving its structure from the viewpoint of the celebration and making use of a possibility provided for by the liturgical guidelines. At certain moments the pope thus found himself with his back to the faithful and his gaze upon the Cross, orienting in this way the attitude of the entire assembly."
I posted concerning this on another post BUT why not just use the Traditional Mass and Baptismal Rite if you want to use the old architecture. After all it was made for the Traditional Mass and 6 months before he authored legislation saying the Old Rites have equal right and dignity and may be used pretty much when wanted. So if you bothered to author this legislation and want to use the traditional altar.....??? "Hello McFly is ANYBODY home?"
3. On Monday, January 14 "L'Osservatore Romano," in reporting on the Mass and baptisms celebrated by Benedict XVI in the Sistine Chapel the previous Sunday, the feast of the Baptism of the Lord, emphasized that "for the first time since the beginning of his pontificate," the pope "celebrated the Mass in public from the traditional altar" (see the photo at the top).
And it explained:
"He decided to celebrate at the ancient altar in order not to alter the beauty and harmony of this architectural gem, preserving its structure from the viewpoint of the celebration and making use of a possibility provided for by the liturgical guidelines. At certain moments the pope thus found himself with his back to the faithful and his gaze upon the Cross, orienting in this way the attitude of the entire assembly."
I posted concerning this on another post BUT why not just use the Traditional Mass and Baptismal Rite if you want to use the old architecture. After all it was made for the Traditional Mass and 6 months before he authored legislation saying the Old Rites have equal right and dignity and may be used pretty much when wanted. So if you bothered to author this legislation and want to use the traditional altar.....??? "Hello McFly is ANYBODY home?"
It could be that His Holiness is proceeding incrementally to avoid freaking out those in the curia who are "on the fence", so they have a chance of coming along. In the words of the great philosopher and theologian Charles Dillon Stengel, “The secret of successful managing is to keep the five guys who hate you away from the four guys who haven't made up their minds.”
Joined: 27 Jan 2008 Posts: 308 Location: Philadelphia Area
Posted: Mon Jan 28, 2008 1:02 pm Post subject:
et cum spirit 220 wrote:
ckknight wrote:
Quote:
3. On Monday, January 14 "L'Osservatore Romano," in reporting on the Mass and baptisms celebrated by Benedict XVI in the Sistine Chapel the previous Sunday, the feast of the Baptism of the Lord, emphasized that "for the first time since the beginning of his pontificate," the pope "celebrated the Mass in public from the traditional altar" (see the photo at the top).
And it explained:
"He decided to celebrate at the ancient altar in order not to alter the beauty and harmony of this architectural gem, preserving its structure from the viewpoint of the celebration and making use of a possibility provided for by the liturgical guidelines. At certain moments the pope thus found himself with his back to the faithful and his gaze upon the Cross, orienting in this way the attitude of the entire assembly."
I posted concerning this on another post BUT why not just use the Traditional Mass and Baptismal Rite if you want to use the old architecture. After all it was made for the Traditional Mass and 6 months before he authored legislation saying the Old Rites have equal right and dignity and may be used pretty much when wanted. So if you bothered to author this legislation and want to use the traditional altar.....??? "Hello consistent is ANYBODY home?"
It could be that His Holiness is proceeding incrementally to avoid freaking out those in the curia who are "on the fence", so they have a chance of coming along. In the words of the great philosopher and theologian Charles Dillon Stengel, “The secret of successful managing is to keep the five guys who hate you away from the four guys who haven't made up their minds.”
Fair point. But at some point don't you just have to make the leap to look sincere and consistent. The legislation has been authored. All the bishops have read it and know the deal. The legislation insists upon there being two rites of equal right and dignity an "Extraordinary" and "Ordinary" form of the same rite. So it's been 7 months and then maybe a year and on and on. Eventually there has to be a first time simply for credibility sake. I mean if you're going to bother authoring legislation that insists that both rites are equally good and rightful and can be used pretty much when wanted but then you nor your Cardinals make use of half the legitimate rites of the Church than doesn't that weaken the credibility of what you wrote in your Moto Proprio. I'm just saying that it seemed like a great time to use the "Extraordinary" rites because it's not in the main Basilica so it's a lower key event and not too much at once but still widely broadcasted and publicized to set a little precedent. My point is I would not make even a little deal out of this if the Mass was not celebrated at the traditional altar but if you're going to use the traditional altar 6 months after issuing the Moto Proprio I just think you should go all in.
When? If he goes his whole pontificate without using the Traditional Missal what does that say about the consistency of what's in Summorum Pontificum? They're two liturgical books of the same rite with equal rights and dignity. So what's the big deal? I guess what I fear is that the more time passes without the Pope and Cardinals setting an example and making use of the legislation than perhaps the Moto Proprio could simply end up being nothing more than a super indult and fall out of general and generous use after the death of Pope Benedict.
3. On Monday, January 14 "L'Osservatore Romano," in reporting on the Mass and baptisms celebrated by Benedict XVI in the Sistine Chapel the previous Sunday, the feast of the Baptism of the Lord, emphasized that "for the first time since the beginning of his pontificate," the pope "celebrated the Mass in public from the traditional altar" (see the photo at the top).
And it explained:
"He decided to celebrate at the ancient altar in order not to alter the beauty and harmony of this architectural gem, preserving its structure from the viewpoint of the celebration and making use of a possibility provided for by the liturgical guidelines. At certain moments the pope thus found himself with his back to the faithful and his gaze upon the Cross, orienting in this way the attitude of the entire assembly."
I posted concerning this on another post BUT why not just use the Traditional Mass and Baptismal Rite if you want to use the old architecture. After all it was made for the Traditional Mass and 6 months before he authored legislation saying the Old Rites have equal right and dignity and may be used pretty much when wanted. So if you bothered to author this legislation and want to use the traditional altar.....??? "Hello consistent is ANYBODY home?"
It could be that His Holiness is proceeding incrementally to avoid freaking out those in the curia who are "on the fence", so they have a chance of coming along. In the words of the great philosopher and theologian Charles Dillon Stengel, “The secret of successful managing is to keep the five guys who hate you away from the four guys who haven't made up their minds.”
Fair point. But at some point don't you just have to make the leap to look sincere and consistent. The legislation has been authored. All the bishops have read it and know the deal. The legislation insists upon there being two rites of equal right and dignity an "Extraordinary" and "Ordinary" form of the same rite. So it's been 7 months and then maybe a year and on and on. Eventually there has to be a first time simply for credibility sake. I mean if you're going to bother authoring legislation that insists that both rites are equally good and rightful and can be used pretty much when wanted but then you nor your Cardinals make use of half the legitimate rites of the Church than doesn't that weaken the credibility of what you wrote in your Moto Proprio. I'm just saying that it seemed like a great time to use the "Extraordinary" rites because it's not in the main Basilica so it's a lower key event and not too much at once but still widely broadcasted and publicized to set a little precedent. My point is I would not make even a little deal out of this if the Mass was not celebrated at the traditional altar but if you're going to use the traditional altar 6 months after issuing the Moto Proprio I just think you should go all in.
When? If he goes his whole pontificate without using the Traditional Missal what does that say about the consistency of what's in Summorum Pontificum? They're two liturgical books of the same rite with equal rights and dignity. So what's the big deal? I guess what I fear is that the more time passes without the Pope and Cardinals setting an example and making use of the legislation than perhaps the Moto Proprio could simply end up being nothing more than a super indult and fall out of general and generous use after the death of Pope Benedict.
I predict that BXVI will offer the TLM before the 1-year anniversary of SP. just my own speculation.
Joined: 29 Jan 2008 Posts: 35 Location: Springfield, PA
Posted: Tue Jan 29, 2008 11:37 am Post subject:
Quote:
Moreover, there will soon be published a new formulation of the prayer for the Jews contained in the rite for Good Friday in the 1962 "Tridentine" missal liberalized by the motu proprio. The references to the condition of "darkness" and "blindness" of the Jewish people will disappear, while the prayer for their conversion will remain.
If the Holy Father caves in to the Jews on this one, all the good work he has done so far will be for nothing. None of the great Catholic popes of the past would change a single word of our liturgy for the sake of the age-old enemies of Our Lord Jesus Christ.
Joined: 27 Jan 2008 Posts: 308 Location: Philadelphia Area
Posted: Tue Jan 29, 2008 2:33 pm Post subject:
christusvincit wrote:
Quote:
Moreover, there will soon be published a new formulation of the prayer for the Jews contained in the rite for Good Friday in the 1962 "Tridentine" missal liberalized by the motu proprio. The references to the condition of "darkness" and "blindness" of the Jewish people will disappear, while the prayer for their conversion will remain.
If the Holy Father caves in to the Jews on this one, all the good work he has done so far will be for nothing. None of the great Catholic popes of the past would change a single word of our liturgy for the sake of the age-old enemies of Our Lord Jesus Christ.
This is NOT the past and we DO NOT have Great Popes. Catholic Popes in the past literally would not be able to conceive 1962-2008. I can assure you that to our Roman Catholic ancestors we're living in a literal, veritable science fiction "Twilight Zone" in terms of the condition of the Church. I remember reading one of Bishop Fellay's talks in which he said that in the 1800's in France the "Integrists" (as they were called) theological camp had speculated that what we're now living through is a theological impossibility. I'm sure many other theologians in the history of the Church if presented with our current predicament would speculate that what we're living through could never happen. That's the seriousness of the situation in which we live.
Moreover, there will soon be published a new formulation of the prayer for the Jews contained in the rite for Good Friday in the 1962 "Tridentine" missal liberalized by the motu proprio. The references to the condition of "darkness" and "blindness" of the Jewish people will disappear, while the prayer for their conversion will remain.
If the Holy Father caves in to the Jews on this one, all the good work he has done so far will be for nothing. None of the great Catholic popes of the past would change a single word of our liturgy for the sake of the age-old enemies of Our Lord Jesus Christ.
This is NOT the past and we DO NOT have Great Popes. Catholic Popes in the past literally would not be able to conceive 1962-2008. I can assure you that to our Roman Catholic ancestors we're living in a literal, veritable science fiction "Twilight Zone" in terms of the condition of the Church. I remember reading one of Bishop Fellay's talks in which he said that in the 1800's in France the "Integrists" (as they were called) theological camp had speculated that what we're now living through is a theological impossibility. I'm sure many other theologians in the history of the Church if presented with our current predicament would speculate that what we're living through could never happen. That's the seriousness of the situation in which we live.
I completely agree with that. Our forefathers would have laughed at the suggestion. I venture to add that if you took the average parish priest in 1958 and shot him forward 50 years in a time machine he wouldn't believe what exists today as a Catholic Church would be Catholic, nor the rite of the Mass, or how Catholics behave to the Real Presence.
Can you imagine a situation when a Cardinal in the curia, i.e. Kasper, openly states that the Church isn't ready for mass conversions to the Catholic faith? What type of insanity is that?
Moreover, there will soon be published a new formulation of the prayer for the Jews contained in the rite for Good Friday in the 1962 "Tridentine" missal liberalized by the motu proprio. The references to the condition of "darkness" and "blindness" of the Jewish people will disappear, while the prayer for their conversion will remain.
If the Holy Father caves in to the Jews on this one, all the good work he has done so far will be for nothing. None of the great Catholic popes of the past would change a single word of our liturgy for the sake of the age-old enemies of Our Lord Jesus Christ.
This is NOT the past and we DO NOT have Great Popes. Catholic Popes in the past literally would not be able to conceive 1962-2008. I can assure you that to our Roman Catholic ancestors we're living in a literal, veritable science fiction "Twilight Zone" in terms of the condition of the Church. I remember reading one of Bishop Fellay's talks in which he said that in the 1800's in France the "Integrists" (as they were called) theological camp had speculated that what we're now living through is a theological impossibility. I'm sure many other theologians in the history of the Church if presented with our current predicament would speculate that what we're living through could never happen. That's the seriousness of the situation in which we live.
I completely agree with that. Our forefathers would have laughed at the suggestion. I venture to add that if you took the average parish priest in 1958 and shot him forward 50 years in a time machine he wouldn't believe what exists today as a Catholic Church would be Catholic, nor the rite of the Mass, or how Catholics behave to the Real Presence.
Can you imagine a situation when a Cardinal in the curia, i.e. Kasper, openly states that the Church isn't ready for mass conversions to the Catholic faith? What type of insanity is that?
Or how about past popes seeing one of their successors offering a Mass with females openly exposing their boobs.
Or how about past popes seeing one of their successors offering a Mass with females openly exposing their boobs.
You have to cut JPII the Awesomest (Ron Santo Subito!) a break on that one. With all of the boobs in the curia, he probably didn't even notice two more.
Joined: 22 Jun 2005 Posts: 1871 Location: Upstate New York
Posted: Tue Jan 29, 2008 6:04 pm Post subject:
et cum spirit 220 wrote:
HallnOates wrote:
Or how about past popes seeing one of their successors offering a Mass with females openly exposing their boobs.
You have to cut JPII the Awesomest (Ron Santo Subito!) a break on that one. With all of the boobs in the curia, he probably didn't even notice two more.
Joined: 22 Jan 2007 Posts: 1487 Location: mississippi
Posted: Tue Jan 29, 2008 10:23 pm Post subject:
christusvincit wrote:
Quote:
Moreover, there will soon be published a new formulation of the prayer for the Jews contained in the rite for Good Friday in the 1962 "Tridentine" missal liberalized by the motu proprio. The references to the condition of "darkness" and "blindness" of the Jewish people will disappear, while the prayer for their conversion will remain.
If the Holy Father caves in to the Jews on this one, all the good work he has done so far will be for nothing. None of the great Catholic popes of the past would change a single word of our liturgy for the sake of the age-old enemies of Our Lord Jesus Christ.
Yeah, this is the wrong thing to do. It shows that even the traditional Mass can be tinkered with. There is a story about one of the truly great Popes who when being petitioned to add St. Joseph to the canon said "how can I change the canon I am only the Pope". Contrast that to the current regime"Hmm this stuff might make the jews upset, better nix it" _________________ Suppress the jesuits subito!
Joined: 22 Jan 2007 Posts: 1487 Location: mississippi
Posted: Tue Jan 29, 2008 10:26 pm Post subject:
At least the Church will still pray for their conversion though. If JPII the SuperPope wouid have rewrote this it would sound like" May Catholics and Jews our older brothers in the faith grow together in love in the one covenant" or some such crap. _________________ Suppress the jesuits subito!
Joined: 22 Jan 2007 Posts: 1487 Location: mississippi
Posted: Tue Jan 29, 2008 10:28 pm Post subject:
et cum spirit 220 wrote:
HallnOates wrote:
Or how about past popes seeing one of their successors offering a Mass with females openly exposing their boobs.
You have to cut JPII the Awesomest (Ron Santo Subito!) a break on that one. With all of the boobs in the curia, he probably didn't even notice two more.
As his pontificate moves along, I'm starting to see Pope Benedict more as very astute and clever (in the good sense). Traditionalists at the time ranted that he did nothing in his first year, hoping that he would start chopping off heads (which would have gotten him nowhere if not "suicided"). I think now that he was biding his time, using prudence to find the most effective way to accomplish his objectives in a cunning and little-by-little fashion. Plus, the graces of his office are working on him, and it seems that he is cooperating with them. _________________ www.ageofmary.com
In general, when things are done in baby-steps, establishing and deeply-rooting one step before moving on to other steps, progress builds an unstoppable inertia and keeps moving along by sheer momentum. Some of you may have witnessed this in your own lives. Possibly you abruptly began pouring on the prayers, devotions, and mortifications, attempting to storm the gates of sanctity. But after a couple weeks, you were exhausted and no longer interested. Then your confessor said, "Stop all that. Say your rosary and no more than a couple prayers a day, but say them well." And things went better for you. _________________ www.ageofmary.com
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