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Living Our Catholic Faith in These Times

Sponsored by the St. Vincent Ferrer Foundation of Texas

David Rodríguez, M.Th.

20 November 2016

Long Beach, CA

Spiritual Survival Skills in an Age of

Apostasy

Spiritual Survival Skills in an Age of Apostasy

I. Review our Lady’s Heavenly Solution

II. An Age of Apostasy

III. Basic Catholic Anthropology

IV. Seven Survival Skills

Be prepared! As faithful Catholics we should all:

1) Support Right Worship

2) Hold the true Faith

3) Obey God’s Commandments

4) Maintain Purity

5) Pray (Meditation)

6) Penance (Duty, Suffer, Reparation)

7) Spiritual Combat

8) Turn to Mary

Traditional Latin Mass

Frequent Confession

Eucharistic Adoration

Devotion to the Sacred Heart

Pray the Rosary

Brown Scapular

Miraculous Medal Consecrate yourself to Mary

Devotion to the Immaculate Heart (First Saturday, Pray for the Pope & consecration of Russia)

General Situation Today:

A growing crescendo of diabolical evil! 1) Heretics reject dogma

2) Protestants reject the Church

3) Rationalists reject Christ

4) Atheists reject God

Great unleashing of evil into the world through revolution. Revolution: Destroying God’s right order

Russia has spread her errors.

The devil has been given far more power.

An Age of Apostasy:

Apostasy Defn: The voluntary abandonment of the Christian religion.

Aux: A baptized person, after possessing the True Faith, totally rejects it.

A “silent” apostasy has gripped Christendom.

An Age of Apostasy:

Apostasy

A “silent” apostasy has gripped Christendom. A ‘practical’ apostasy and atheism

Particularly sinister: a ‘Counterfeit Catholicism’

We must recover and restore our Catholic Tradition!

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Marks and Images of the

Age of Apostasy:

Tell-tale Signs: Heresy, Blasphemy Impurity

Charity has grown cold

Massive rise in occult presence and practices, and a concurrent growing denial of the devil’s existence.

Scriptural Images River of Revolution, masking itself as ‘progress’

Man choked by poisonous smog and malevolent filth of Sodom and Gomorrah

Rise of a new world order and a one world religion…

The Passion of the Mystical Body of Christ:

The Church is on a Via Dolorosa The path up Cavalry

It ends with the Crucifixion

Thereafter comes the Resurrection

The Passion of the Mystical Body of Christ:

The Church is on a Via Dolorosa

Temptations to avoid Deny it!

No, let Christ’s light illumine reality.

Abandon ship! No, remain in the Barque of Peter.

Despair! No, trust in God’s Providence.

.

The Passion of the Mystical Body of Christ:

The Church is on a Via Dolorosa

Temptations to avoid

Work towards a remedy! Respond to the urgent necessity.

Be aware of the dangers.

Help the scales fall of the eyes of others.

Act for the good of Holy Mother Church.

Suffer with Christ and His Church.

Seven Survival Skills

1) Learn the basics.

2) Expand your knowledge.

3) Find a good mentor(s).

4) Avoid the pitfalls.

5) Excel through constant practice.

6) Master all the means to excel.

7) Attain perfection.

1. Recover Catholic Tradition by re-learning Catholic Fundamentals.

So much of our basic Catholic knowledge has been lost

A primary vehicle for the transmission of knowledge in any society is tradition.

One example: Lets consider a basic Catholic anthropology, because one must have an adequate understanding of human nature and of self

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Basic Catholic Anthropology

Soul Body

Basic Catholic Anthropology

Soul Body

Will

Mind

Senses ◦ Interior

◦ Exterior

Passions ◦ Irascible

◦ Concupiscible

Will

Mind

Body

Basic Catholic Anthropology

Soul Body

Will

Mind

Senses ◦ Interior

◦ Exterior

Passions ◦ Irascible

◦ Concupiscible

Will

Mind

Body Love Hatred Desire Aversion Joy Sadness

Hope Despair Courage Fear Anger

Memory Imagination

Sight Hear Smell Taste Touch

Basic Catholic Anthropology

Soul

Passions

Body

Basic Catholic Anthropology

Divine Nature

Goodness

Truth

Beauty (right order)

The Transcendentals

Basic Catholic Anthropology

Divine Nature Human Nature

Goodness

Truth

Beauty (right order)

Will - to choose the Good

Mind - to know the Truth

Body - called to obey the soul thereby being Beautiful

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Basic Catholic Anthropology

Human Nature Sin creates disorder

Will - choose Good

Mind - know Truth

Body - To Obey - be Beautiful

Will Malevolent - weak

Mind Ignorant - dark

Body Rebellious - passions inflamed

Will

Mind

Body

Basic Catholic Anthropology

Will - choose Good - malevolent

Mind - know Truth - ignorant

Body - To Obey - rebellious

Will

Mind

Body

Grace Builds on Nature

Theological Virtues Faith, Hope, Charity

Cardinal Virtues - Justice (will) - Prudence (mind) - Fortitude (irascible) - Temperance (concupiscible)

Seven Gifts Wisd., Und., Coun., Know. Fort., Piety, Fear of Lord

2. Recover Catholic Tradition by STUDYING the Faith.

This is an absolute necessity.

Otherwise, you will be deceived or lead astray.

Each person must take ‘ownership’ of his faith and be prepared to render an accounting at his judgment.

Humility is necessary.

Purify your intentions.

Enkindle charity.

2. Recover Catholic Tradition by STUDYING the Faith.

This is an absolute necessity.

Otherwise, you will be deceived or lead astray.

Each person must take ‘ownership’ of his faith and be prepared to render an accounting at his judgment.

Humility is necessary.

Purify your intentions.

Enkindle charity.

Intellectual formation.

Sacred Scripture

Old catechisms.

Teaching of the popes.

Listen to good sermons.

Traditional classes, missions, conferences.

Learn to identify the signs of the occult and revolution.

3. Recover Catholic Tradition by imitating the SAINTS.

They have “been here before.”

Not only have they survived, but they have excelled and attained Heaven.

We need to learn from them and seek their intercession.

We must surround ourselves with the saints!

Read their lives.

Read their writings.

Meditate; how does this apply to our time?

4. Restore Catholic Tradition through diligent VIGILANCE.

Know the enemies of your soul: world, flesh and the devil

Death before mortal sin!

Every day is a battle for your soul.

Flee temptations.

Mortify your flesh.

Resist the encroachments of the vanities of the world.

In my opinion, this is the most challenging of the seven skill set because you have to work so hard against a seemingly all pervading current.

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4. Restore Catholic Tradition through diligent VIGILANCE.

Know the enemies of your soul: world, flesh and the devil

Death before mortal sin!

Every day is a battle for your soul.

Flee temptations.

Mortify your flesh.

Resist the encroachments of the vanities of the world.

In my opinion, this is the litmus test, the clearest signal, of an exceptional priest. How much does he constantly exhort me along this path?

BE ON GUARD:

Entertainment

Media

Technology

Illusory pleasures

False maxims

Luxury

Power

Fame

5. Restore Catholic Tradition through growth in VIRTUE.

Love virtue, abhor evil.

Fulfill the duties of your state in life.

Strive after excellence! - reject legalism and minimalism - act for the sake of love of God.

Have a plan to grow in virtue.

In my opinion, a most helpful work in this endeavor is the spiritual classic, The Sinner’s Guide, by Ven. Luis de Granada ( 1588).

6. Restore Catholic Tradition through PRAYER and the SACRAMENTS.

Be reservoirs of grace, not channels.

Daily Rosary (as a family if possible).

Recollection of soul

Daily mental prayer.

Sacraments – as per traditional rite.

Sacramentals

Sources of Grace

Sanctifying and Actual

6. Restore Catholic Tradition through PRAYER and the SACRAMENTS.

Be reservoirs of grace, not channels.

Daily Rosary (as a family if possible).

Recollection of soul

Daily mental prayer.

Sacraments – as per traditional rite.

Sacramentals

Have a deep conviction that the Holy Ghost has been at work in the Church in the development of these legitimate Traditions. Trust Him!

Raccolta

Holy Water

Blessed salt & oil

Blessed candles

Crucifix

Relics

Medals

Scapular

Statues / Images

6. Restore Catholic Tradition through PRAYER and the SACRAMENTS.

Truth

Goodness

Beauty (right order)

If we are to resist the encroachments of the world (negative), we need to fill our mind, experience and environment with that which is true, good, and beautiful (positive).

Transcendentals Divine (infinite & perfect) attributes of God for which all men always long. St. Augustine relies on them to ‘prove’ the existence of God.

6. Restore Catholic Tradition through PRAYER and the SACRAMENTS.

Truth Mind

Goodness Will

Beauty Body right order

Faith, Study, Saints, Vigilance, Virtue, Grace, Prayer, Sacraments

If we are to resist the encroachments of the world (negative), we need to fill our mind, experience and environment with that which is true, good, and beautiful (positive).

Human Nature

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6. Restore Catholic Tradition through PRAYER and the SACRAMENTS.

Truth Mind Almsgiving

Goodness Will Prayer

Beauty Body Fasting

Faith, Study, Saints, Vigilance, Virtue, Grace, Prayer, Sacraments

If we are to resist the encroachments of the world (negative), we need to fill our mind, experience and environment with that which is true, good, and beautiful (positive).

Pillars of Penance

6. Restore Catholic Tradition through PRAYER and the SACRAMENTS.

Truth Mind Almsgiving Poverty (simplicity)

Goodness Will Prayer Obedience

Beauty Body Fasting Celibacy (chastity)

Faith, Study, Saints, Vigilance, Virtue, Grace, Prayer, Sacraments

If we are to resist the encroachments of the world (negative), we need to fill our mind, experience and environment with that which is true, good, and beautiful (positive).

Evangelical Counsels

7. Restore Catholic Tradition through recourse to Our LADY.

Mother of God

Co-Redemptrix

Mediatrix of all Graces

“O Lady, since Thou art the dispenser of all graces, and since the grace of salvation can only come through Thy hands, our salvation depends on Thee.”

- St. Bernardine of Sienna ( 1444 AD)

7. Restore Catholic Tradition through recourse to Our LADY.

The Beatitudes are the summit of Christ’s teaching:

Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the Kingdom of

Heaven.

Blessed are the meek: for they shall possess the land.

Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.

Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after justice: for they shall have their fill.

Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.

Blessed are the clean of heart: for they shall see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called children of God.

Blessed are they that suffer persecution for justice’ sake: for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.

7. Restore Catholic Tradition through recourse to Our LADY.

Note the connection to the Beatitudes and to the Seven Gifts of the Holy Ghost:

Poor in spirit Worship Wisdom

Meek Faith Understanding

Mourn Penance Fortitude

Hunger for justice Obey Counsel

Merciful Maternal

Clean of Heart Purity Piety

Peacemakers Prayer Knowledge

Persecution Combat Fear of the Lord

7. Restore Catholic Tradition through recourse to Our LADY.

As well as their connection to the Theological and Cardinal Virtues:

Poor in spirit Worship Wisdom Charity

Meek Faith Understanding Faith

Mourn Penance Fortitude Fortitude

Hunger for justice Obey Counsel Justice

Merciful Maternal

Clean of Heart Purity Piety Temperance

Peacemakers Prayer Knowledge Prudence

Persecution Combat Fear of the Lord Hope

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Seven Spiritual Survival Skills

Recover Catholic Tradition:

1) Re-learn FAITH Fundamentals

2) STUDY the Faith.

3) Imitate the SAINTS.

Restore Catholic Tradition:

4) Diligent VIGILANCE.

5) Grow in VIRTUE.

6) The means of GRACE (prayer, sacraments, sacramentals)

7) Recourse to Our LADY.

Living Our Catholic Faith in These Times

Sponsored by the St. Vincent Ferrer Foundation of Texas

David Rodríguez, M.Th.

20 November 2016

Long Beach, CA

Spiritual Survival Skills in an Age of

Apostasy