Passiontide 2006

As I live saith the Lord: I will not the death of a sinner, but rather that he be converted and live. (Antiphon at Prime on weekdays, during Lent)

As we come to the close of the first part of Lent, our remote preparation for Easter, we are reminded to come to penance. At Terce the Antiphon reminds us: There are come to us days of penance, to redeem our sins and to save our souls. Indeed we are now passing the time, when we consider our own sins and start to consider the consequences of our sins, the Passion and death of our Lord Jesus Christ. And so this evening, we begin Passiontide, which should be very close to us, who are witnessing the passion of the Mystical Body of Christ. Indeed at Vespers these past weeks we have contemplated an important part of our times: Between the porch and the altar the preists the Lord’s ministers shall weep, and shall say: Spare, O Lord, spare Thy people: and give not Thy inheritance to reproach, that the heathens should rule over them. (Joel 2:17) We are in these times, when God’s ministers, including the Pope are between the porch and the altar. And so let us continue doing penance for our sins. Of course, we cannot do proper penance for our sins, if we do not have the intention of following Jesus’ admonition to go and sin no more. Let us prepare most solemnly for Easter, praying and working for the restoration of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.

Love ye peace and truth, saith the Lord almighty. (Zacharias 8:19; little chapter for Prime on ferial days) The John XXIII-II Breviary omits this passage, which is indicative of the lack of peace that we have in the world today. However, true peace comes from a good conscience, which is in total conformity to the will of God, accepting whatever God may send good or evil. [1]

On the Saturday before Passion Sunday, in churches all of the statues and crucifixes are covered with purple cloth to remind us of our mourning for the Passion of Jesus. The faithful laudably follow this custom in their own homes.

This kind (of devil) can go out by nothing, but by prayer and fasting. [2]

Two weeks ago, we asked all to join Us in a special fast, during Holy Week. We performed this fast Ourselves, the same week We sent out the request. One would think that the fast would make things better, but actually several events occurred to make Us believe that things are actually worse! The influence of The Enemy is certainly being seen! What this indicates to Us is the necessity of this fast.

One may ask why the powers of darkness have become more active? It is because they have been attacked. This gives Us reason to believe that the attack should be stronger, not weaker. As we all enter Passiontide, let us continue our battle against principalities and powers and strengthen ourselves by fasting and prayer. Saint Thomas quotes a gloss on the above Scripture: This class of demons, that is the variety of carnal pleasures, is not overcome unless the spirit is strengthened by prayer, and the flesh enfeebled by fast.

Both the man to be cured, and he who cures him, should fast; for a real prayer is offered up, when fasting is joined with prayer, when he who prays is sober and not heavy with food. Yes we should all fast and pray in order to be cured of our spiritual diseases.

Saint John Chrysostom gives a warning: From self-love springs covetousness. For the wretched niggardly temper of self-love contracts that love which should be widely extended, and diffused on every side. "Covetous." From covetousness springs boastfulness, from boastfulness pride, from pride blasphemy, from blasphemy defiance and disobedience. For he who exalts himself against men, will easily do it against God.

Let us all fast, pray and conform ourselves to the Holy Will of God, which is necessary for our salvation.

Pope Michael

March 31, 2006 Friday in the Fourth week of Lent

p.s. We are in the midst of a complete redesign of Our website and hope you will find an announcement of its completion at the end of Holy Week.

Also We remind all of Our dispensation for renewing Baptismal Promises on Holy Saturday. The fast may be ended at either the time of renewal or noon, whichever is later. However, We recommend continuing the fast until three pm as part of the Exorcism fast, which we again strongly recommend all perform. This year We would like to ask all to renew their Profession of Faith at the same time.

Explanation of the Profession of Faith Prescribed by Pope Michael

This Profession of Faith was compiled from previous Professions of Faith as noted in the notes in parentheses. (The DZ is a reference to Denzinger’s Enchiridion Symbolorum.) We have numbered this so that it may be explained section at a time.

1. This is the Apostles Creed, the core of the Catholic Faith.

2. This was inspired by the Formula prescribe for all the cities of the Eastern Church at the Lateran Council in 1102 (DZ 357) … , affirming what the Holy and universal Church affirms and condemning what she condemns.

3. Likewise, all other things I accept and profess, which the Holy Roman Church accepts and professes, and I likewise condemn, reject, and anathematize, at the same time all contrary things, both schisms and heresies, which have been condemned by the same Church. (DZ 1473) This is from the Profession of Faith prescribed for the Orientals on March 16, 1743 by Pope Benedict XIV in the Constitution Nuper ad nos. The part in the Profession is taken from the Symbol of Faith of Pope Saint Leo IX, April 13, 1053.

4. I promise and swear true obedience to the Roman Pontiff, the successor of Blessed Peter, the prince of the Apostles and the vicar of Jesus Christ. DZ 1473) This is from the Profession of Faith prescribed for the Orientals on March 16, 1743 by Pope Benedict XIV in the Constitution Nuper ad nos. The Profession was inspired by the Lateran Council in a formula prescribed for the Eastern Church (1102; DZ 357): I declare anathema every heresy and especially that one which disturbs the present Church, which teaches and declares that excommunication is to be despised and that the restrictions of the Church are to be cast aside. Moreover, I promise obedience to Paschal, the supreme Pontiff of the Apostolic See, and to his successors under the testimony of Christ and the Church, affirming what the Holy and universal Church affirms and condemning what she condemns.

Profession of Faith Prescribed by Pope Michael

I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ His only Son, Our Lord; Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried: He descended into hell; the third day He arose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven; sitteth at the right hand of God the Father almighty: from thence He shall come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost, the Holy Catholic Church, the communion of Saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body and life everlasting. I renounce Satan, and all his works, and all his allurements.

I accept everything the Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church teaches and beleives, as She teaches and believes them, especially those things which are de fide; of faith.

I reject each and every error, which the one, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church rejects, as She rejects and condemns them, without reservation. Furthermore, I declare anathema every heresy against the Holy Catholic Church, and likewise whosoever has honored or believes any writings beyond those which the Catholic Church accepts ought to be held on the authority, or any who have venerated them. Whatever the Holy and Universal Church believes and praises, I also believe and praise, and whoever they declare anathema, I declare anathema. (DZ349)

I promise obedience to the infallible Supreme Pontiff of the Apostolic See and to his canonically elected successor under the testimony of Christ, affirming what the Holy and universal Church affirms and condemning what she condemns. (DZ357) I accept the authority of the Roman Pontiff, that when he shall decide a matter it is forever closed. I accept the laws of the Church as the Church interprets them and reject any interpretation that contradicts the interpretation of the Church. I submit fully to Pope Michael I, Successor of St. Peter.

[1] Indeed we call things good or evil as they appear in the eyes of the world, when whatever happens to us is truly for our own good.