Pope Francis’ Papacy: Consecration to Our Lady of Fatima

“Pope Francis asked me twice to consecrate his new ministry to Our Lady of Fatima,”said José Policarpo, Cardinal Patriarch of Lisbon. “It is a request I may fulfill in the silence of a prayer. But it would be fine if the whole Bishops' Conference would associate itself to make this request. Mary will guide us in all our labours [meaning all things to be discussed] in the meeting, and also in the way to accomplish this wish of Pope Francis.”

The Catholic Family News blog quotes a source in Coimbra, Portugal as stating:“Policarpo, as a man who is on record as saying he doesn’t believe in Fatima, leaves the final decision to the Bishops’ Conference. If they agree in doing a collective consecration, good; if not, Policarpo will do it in ‘silent prayer.’”

While it is most heartening to know that Pope Francis wishes to consecrate his papacy to Our Lady of Fatima, a few things must be observed. First, the Pope’s “request”was personally made to Cardinal Policarpo, not to the Bishops’ Conference. Suggesting that the Pope’s “request” be considered by the Conference was Cardinal Policarpo’s idea. Second, when a Pope makes a “request,”he is neither appealing for a vote nor asking “the permission” of the bishops. He’s the Pope – the reigning monarch of the Church. Third, the fact that the Pope had to twice make the request suggests that Policarpo might not have responded to the first request or that the Pope initially received some obfuscating response. At any rate, one wonders why Pope Francis doesn’t publicly announce on his own accord that he has consecrated his papacy to Our Lady of Fatima.

Consider Cardinal Policarpo’s words, “It is a request that I may fulfill in the silence of a prayer.” The response seems somewhat impertinent but perhaps it was a trial balloon for the other bishops. Think about it: A Pope twice makes a request to a cardinal – who is the pope’s subordinate - and the Cardinal responds by saying he will turn the decision to the Bishops’ Conference and if they don’t “vote” to acquiesce to the Pope’s “request,” then he “may” meet it by “silent prayer”? This is a perfect example of redefining the word “collegiality.” The Pope doesn’t need the permission of the bishops to consecrate his papacy to Our Lady of Fatima. It is he who is the Bishop of Rome and, in consequence, he is the Pope of the Roman Catholic Church.

Meanwhile, the Rorate Caeli blog recently reported: “As an answer to the request of the Pope to the Patriarch of Lisbon, Cardinal José Policarpo, asking that he consecrate the Pope’s Pontificate to Our Lady of Fatima, the Bishops of Portugal have just decided that this consecration be made next May 13.

The consecration will be included in the program of the International Pilgrimage of May 12/13 and will be made on the 13th at a time to be announced later.

May’s International Anniversary Pilgrimage, on the 96th anniversary of the first apparition of Our Lady to seers Lucia, Francisco and Jacinta, will be presided over by Mons. Orani Tempesta, Archbishop of Rio de Janeiro.”

Let us remind you that, during the opening speech of the 181st Plenary Assembly of the Bishops Conference of Portugal, Cardinal Policarpo said that he could very well fulfill the request all alone, ‘in silent prayer,’ but that ‘it would be nice if the entire Bishops Conference joined him in fulfilling the Pope’s request.’”
 

Considering the recent development, was Cardinal Policarpo’s response impertinent to the Pope or was it a trial balloon in the event Pope Francis may someday “request” the collegial consecration of Russia to the Immaculate Heart of Mary? What say you?

 

Pope of Surprises: The Rosary and His First Homily

The Pope who prays the 15 decades of the Rosary
(properly called the Psalter) said in his first papal homily to the
 College of Cardinalsand others attending the Mass:
 "When we walk without the Cross, when we build
without the Cross, and when we confess Christ
without the Cross, we are not disciples of the Lord:
we are worldly, we are bishops, priests, cardinals, popes,
but not disciples of the Lord."

 

Pope Francis once said that he prays “the fifteen mysteries of the Rosary every day” and began the practice around 1985, following the late Pope John Paul II's lead. As Cardinal Bergoglio, he prayed with John Paul II, later stating: “That testimony did not get forgotten in an instant. From that time on I recite the fifteen mysteries of the Rosary every day.”

 

That is a very pleasant and edifying surprise. A few more surprises were in store when, during his first Mass celebrated with the College of Cardinals in the Sistine Chapel on March 14, 2013 at 5 p.m., Pope Francis gave a spontaneous seven-minute homily.  Although he had no prepared text, the theme of his homily (which follows the Gospel) was three-fold: camminare, edificare, confessare (to walk, to build, to confess  - as in “confess the glory of Jesus Christ and His Cross”).

How remarkable are the ways of God when one considers the two following readings and the Gospel of “Missa pro Ecclesia” (“Mass for the Church”) are excerpts from the Book of Isaiah (2:2-5), from the First Letter of Peter (2:4-9), and from the Gospel according to Matthew (16:13-19). These three selections speak of the last days, “the mountain of the house of the Lord” and the “top of mountains” (in Scriptural symbolism, a mountain is a kingdom; either earthly or spiritual, and Jerusalem – like Israel – are figure types for the Catholic Church), the judgment of God, the revelation that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and Christ’s establishment of the papacy. They are included below and come from the Douay-Rheims translation of the Holy Bible.

Isaiah 2:2-5: And in the last days the mountain of the house of the Lord shall be prepared on the top of mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills, and all nations shall flow unto it. And many people shall go, and say: Come and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, and to the house of the God of Jacob, and he will teach us his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for the law shall come forth from Sion, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. And he shall judge the Gentiles, and rebuke many people: and they shall turn their swords into ploughshares, and their spears into sickles: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they be exercised any more to war. O house of Jacob, come ye, and let us walk in the light of the Lord.

Peter 2: 4-9: For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but delivered them, drawn down by infernal ropes to the lower hell, unto torments, to be reserved unto judgment: And spared not the original world, but preserved Noe, the eighth person, the preacher of justice, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly. And reducing the cities of the Sodomites, and of the Gomorrhites, into ashes, condemned them to be overthrown, making them an example to those that should after act wickedly. And delivered just Lot, oppressed by the injustice and lewd conversation of the wicked. For in sight and hearing he was just: dwelling among them, who from day to day vexed the just soul with unjust works. The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly from temptation, but to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be tormented.

Matthew 16:13-19: And Jesus came into the quarters of Caesarea Philippi: and he asked his disciples, saying: Whom do men say that the Son of man is? But they said: Some John the Baptist, and other some Elias, and others Jeremias, or one of the prophets. Jesus saith to them: But whom do you say that I am? Simon Peter answered and said: Thou art Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answering, said to him: Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-Jona: because flesh and blood hath not revealed it to thee, but my Father who is in heaven. And I say to thee: That thou art Peter; and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give to thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven. And whatsoever thou shalt bind upon earth, it shall be bound also in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose upon earth, it shall be loosed also in heaven.

Francis’ First Papal Homily: Spontaneous

In these three readings, I see that there is something in common: it is movement.

In the first reading, movement in walking; in the second reading, movement in the building up of the Church; in the third, in the Gospel, movement in confession.

To walk, to build up, to confess.

To walk. “House of Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the Lord.”

This is the first thing that God said to Abraham: Walk in my presence and be without reproach. To walk: our life is a journey and when we stop it is no good. To walk always, in the presence of the Lord, in the light of the Lord, seeking to live with that irreproachability which God asked of Abraham, in his promise.

To build up. To build up the Church. Stones are spoken of: the stones have substance; but living stones, stones anointed by the Holy Spirit. To build up the Church, the bride of Christ, on that cornerstone which is the Lord himself. This is another movement of our lives: to build up.

Third, to confess. We can walk as much as we wish, we can build many things, but if we do not confess Jesus Christ, it is no good. We will become a humanitarian NGO, but not the Church, bride of the Lord.

When one does not walk, one halts. When one does not build on stone what happens? That happens which happens to children on the beach when they make sand castles, it all comes down, it is without substance. When one does not confess Jesus Christ, I am reminded of the expression of Léon Bloy: "He who does not pray to the Lord prays to the devil.” When one does not confess Jesus Christ, one confesses the worldliness of the devil, the worldliness of the demon.

To walk, to build/construct, to confess. But the matter is not so easy, because in walking, in building, in confessing, at times there are shocks, there are movements that are not properly movements of the journey: they are movements that set us back.

This Gospel continues with a special situation. The same Peter who has confessed Jesus Christ says to him: "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God. I will follow you, but let us not speak of the Cross. This has nothing to do with it. I will follow you with other possibilities, without the Cross."

When we walk without the Cross, when we build without the Cross, and when we confess Christ without the Cross, we are not disciples of the Lord: we are worldly, we are bishops, priests, cardinals, popes, but not disciples of the Lord.

I would like that everyone, after these days of grace, should have the courage, truly the courage, to walk in the presence of the Lord, with the Cross of the Lord; to build up the Church upon the Blood of the Lord that was shed upon the Cross; and to confess the only glory: Christ crucified. And in this way the Church will move forward.

I hope for all of us that the Holy Spirit, through the prayer of the Virgin Mary, our Mother, may grant us this grace: to walk, to build up, to confess Jesus Christ crucified. So may it be.

Although the Pope's homily was brief, a great part of it serves as a reminder of these words by St. Peter: “Be you also as living stones built up, a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.” (First Epistle of Peter 2:5) and the inspiring Apostolic Exhortation to the Clergy in Pope St. Pius X’s Haerent Animo (1908).

Pope Francis did, however, make one reference to the extremely controversial Leon Bloy, who was a French poet, essayist, convert, a man who refused to work, and an eccentric with a passion for prostitutes (co-habiting with two prostitutes in succession - after his supposed conversion to the Faith, Bloy planned to marry both - not simultaneously, of course - but never did. Yes, Leon Bloy was capable of writing a few truthful things -  but even a broken clock is right twice a day.)

Surprising? Yes. Perplexing? Definitely. This is only conjecture on my part, but perhaps that is why Pope Francis made a brief yet direct reference to Bloy, a man who could at times write eloquently of the Faith but during his lifetime refused to accept the Cross. Be that as it may, there is no doubt whatsoever that the new Pope gently yet firmly admonished the entire hierarchy when he said:

“When we walk without the Cross, when we build without the Cross, and when we confess Christ without the Cross, we are not disciples of the Lord: we are worldly, we are bishops, priests, cardinals, popes, but not disciples of the Lord.”

May we pray much for the Holy Father.

 

Francis I: The New Pope and Prophecy

The new pope Francis I, elected today (03-13-13), soberly
emerged for the first time on the balcony of St. Peter's Basicila.

“It seems to me that my brother cardinals have chosen one who is from far away, but here I am.”

---Francis I, the newly-elected pope

 

Today, the new pope expressed a few words that immediately brought to mind a prophecy that refers to a time “about twelve years” into “the millennium.” Coincidentally enough, the pope has chosen the name "Francis I" and the prophecy comes from a Franciscan tertiary who is now a “beati” of the Church.

 

Incidentally, a “beati” is one whose cause for canonization is opened, and has passed the titles of Servant of God and Venerable. “Blessed” is the final stage before canonization to the sainthood. His name? Blessed Tomasuccio de Foligno, who died in 1377 A.D.

 

In commenting on his prophecy, he allegedly spoke of a pope to whom he referred as “degno pastori.” The word “degno” is defined as “worthy, deserving, eligible, suitable, admirable, respectable.” The word “pastori,” of course, means Pastor (the Shepherd), and therefore refers to a Pope. As for his prophecy, the blessed said:

“One from beyond the mountains shall become the Vicar of God. Religious and clerics shall take part in this change. Outside the true path, there will be only disreputable men; I shrug my shoulders when the Barque of Peter is in danger and there is no one to lend it help... The schismatic shall fall into the scorn of the Italian faithful... By about twelve years shall the millennium have passed when the resplendent mantle of legitimate power shall emerge from the shadows where it was being kept by the schism. And beyond harm from the one who is blocking the door of salvation, for his deceitful schism shall have come to an end. And the Mass of the faithful shall attach itself to the worthy Shepherd, who shall extricate each one from error and restore to the Church its beauty. He shall renew it.” – Blessed Tomasuccio de Foligno (1319-1377 A.D.)

The new pope, Jorge Mario Bergoglio (pronounced Ber-GOAL-ee-oh), comes from “beyond the mountains” (which usually indicates Rome). In fact, he comes from a city on the sea. Born of Italian parents, Francis I was raised in Buenos Aires, the capital of Argentina in South America. (At the age of 76, he shall be 266th pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church.) Thus, Francis I is of European heritage but he will be the first-ever Latino Pope. Technically, he is the first non-European Pope of the Church in more than 1,000 years.

Earlier today, the newly-elected Pope somberly emerged from the white balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica. After expressing his thanks, he asked the crowd to pray with him and for him.

"As you know, the duty of the conclave was to appoint a bishop of Rome. It seems to me that my brother cardinals have chosen one who is from far away, but here I am.”

"I would like to thank you for your embrace, also to ... the bishops, thank you very much.”

"First and foremost, I would like to pray for our emeritus pope, Benedict XVI. Let us pray all of us together … so that he is blessed by the Lord and guarded." (Please note: I've not checked for the translation's veracity.)

Francis I also lead the cardinals and the crowd in praying the Our Father and the Hail Mary and offered his blessing "to you, the city, and to the whole world." (“Urbi et Orbi” which literally means “city and world.”)

Meanwhile, let's pray very much. When he emerged from the balcony today, all may have noted Francis’ somewhat reserved manner and his quiet dignity. Formerly the head of the Jesuits, it is said that he is a very capable and yet humble man, leading a somewhat austere life as an an archbishop. Unlike many other prelates, he has not attracted much attention to himself…and this indeed may be a good sign. On the other hand, the papal election was much faster than anticipated, and it might be that the liberal element had its way. If that is the case, let us pray that Francis will be like Pope Pius IX, whom the liberals considered as one of their own...until he began reinforcing and defending tradition.

Either way, it is our Catholic duty to pray for the new pope's intentions, which is to say that the Church Militant always asks God to assist a pope in leading the Church according to His holy will. Pray also that Pope Francis is the pope will finally consecrate Russia to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, commanding the world's bishops to join him.

"Pray much for the Holy Father! He will do it, but it will be late." - Our Lord to Sr. Lucia on the collegial consecration of Russia to the Immaculate Heart of Mary

 

Benedict XVI or Sodano, Third Secret or World Order?

Yes, during his homily yesterday, Cardinal Angelo Sodano did say “world order” (“ordine mondiale”). To be just, Sodano did not say “new world order.”  Even more astonishing is the news that Benedict XVI said that the Third Secret is spoken.

Did that get your attention? Multo bene, because it’s true. The former pope did say that the Third Secret is spoken.  Does Sodano’s choice of the phrase “world order” remotely approach the magnitude of Benedict XVI revelation that the Third Secret is spoken? Similar to what happened today with Sodano, a glitch occurred after Benedict XVI uttered a few very important words that were either mistranslated or overlooked. In Sodano’s case, he did say “world order” but those same words do not appear in the official text released to the media.

The opposite happened with Benedict XVI. Speaking in Italian during an in-flight interview, he willingly chose to answer certain questions about the Third Secret of Fatima. His response survived “as is” and his words were published in Italy’s daily newspaper, Corriere della Sera, on May 11, 2010. With the media, one or two choice words can be mistakenly (or conveniently) changed, mis-translated (if they are not deleted), and/or appear (or not) in an official text. And sometimes, the whole story is published.

A similar thing occurred on March 25, 1984 when Pope John Paul II consecrated the world to the Immaculate Heart of Mary and then spontaneously abandoned his prepared text and suddenly prayed aloud, “Enlighten especially the peoples of which You Yourself are awaiting our consecration and confiding.” That was Pope John Paul II’s indirect way of publicly acknowledging he had not specifically consecrated Russia, per the Fatima Virgin’s request. The next day (March 26, 1984) L’Osservatore Romano published the pope’s surprising addition. So did Avvenire, the Italian bishops’ newspaper, only it translated the pope’s additional words as “those peoples for whom You Yourself are awaiting our act of consecration and entrusting.” As for the rest of the media, the mainstream either ignored the Pope’s addition or didn’t comment on it.

To return to the Third Secret and what Benedict XVI actually said (in Italian) on May 10, 2010:  The English translations I read did not “quite” match each other. So I searched for the original Italian article, referring to an Italian-English dictionary when I couldn’t believe what I was reading. After I translated, I wanted to be certain, so I contacted a few people who can fluently read and speak Tuscano. They verified both what I had detected and my translation, especially the phrase “si parla, si vede.”

Still, I wondered, “How did no one else catch this?” Perhaps it is because the media zoomed in and then latched onto other things the Pope said about the sin within the Church. So I scoured the net, and what I found were repeats of the same mis-translations!  

 

After waiting another week, I decided to publish my findings on this blog, Pope Benedict on the Third Secret: “It is Spoken.” (The latter article also includes my observations on the pattern of the Great Secret). While emailing a news release to certain media outlets (which ultimately was ignored), I spoke of my discovery with Mr. John Vennari at Catholic Family News. The end result was that I revised and expanded my original article for my July 2010 "Secrets of the Catholic City" column in Catholic Family News, slightly altering the title to:  Pope Benedict XVI Reveals: The Third Secret of Fatima is Spoken.

However, it is almost three years since Benedict said those three little words which change the history of the Third Secret debate. Yes, even a few words are important and the former Pope did say the Third Secret is spoken. As of this date, the entire world knows that the cardinals are gathered in conclave to elect a new pope,  but imagine the media reaction if, by every means possible, the following words were disseminated throughout Rome:  “Benedict XVI says Third Secret is Spoken.” For the sake of the Church and of the world, those three words remain the most important news of this century, and they are not getting the attention they deserve.  

 

Papal Election - It is a Dangerous Time

"It is a dangerous time. Pray for us." So said an un-named cardinal on the eve of the papal conclave’s opening to Mr. Robert Moynihan, editor of Inside the Vatican.

Today, on the first day of the conclave, the media in Rome are keeping an eye on the smoke emanating from the Sistine Chapel while simultaneously writing editorials or commentaries. Last night, Mr. Moynihan wrote of a Sunday evening encounter wherein he spoke to “a friend, an Italian woman,” who holds the personal opinion that Cardinal Schoenborn “is cultured, refined, eloquent, noble, handsome — especially handsome!” While such things sound impressive, are these the qualities actually needed to be a good and holy pope? No.  (Incidentally, after reading of Mr. Moynihan’s encounter, it seems that he is not as deeply impressed by Cardinal Schoenborn as is his friend.)

Unfortunately, the lady is basing everything on what in Cardinal Schoenborn appeals to her – his appearance, his education, the way he responded to her disabled son– in a word, she views everything via the telescope of “feelings.” It’s very good that a cardinal left a good impression; that is how it should be. However, Our Faith is not a matter of our emotions or other subjectivities; it is based on objective Truth.

A few moments of polite inter-action proves nothing on the spiritual measuring scale. In a word, the lady’s reactions are sanguine - cheerful, open, giving, and optimistic. Unfortunately, a sanguine reaction can also be one that is not inclined to seek “cause and effect” and thus it is extremely susceptible to that which appeals to the five senses, otherwise known as sensuality (“of the five senses”).

Then there is Cardinal Dolan, who (according to Fox News) “is quick with a quip and, more often than not, he is the target of his own sense of humor -- a trait that will continue to serve him well if he is to become the first American pope.”  Yes, Dolan is such a comedienne that in 2002 he thought nothing of wearing a “cheese head” mitre on the Feast of Our Lady’s Nativity. Why?  It was the opening day for the NFL (football) season and the brand new archbishop of Milwaukee, Wisconsin wanted to show his support of the Green Bay packers. (Wisconsin is known for its milk and cheese. Get it?)

An edifying act of supernatural prudence it was not. The cheese head mitre disgraced the office of priest and bishop, just to offer a moment of comic buffoonery to those with no sense of dignity and proper decorum.  Despite Fox News’s sanguine view that Dolan's sense of humor will serve him well if he becomes the first “American” pope (incidentally, that's an example of careless writing…If elected, Dolan would become the first American to become the Pope), the news service at least told the truth when their report stated that “Dolan is not immune to the stain of sex abuse scandals that plagued the church in past decades.” No kidding.

These things are disgraceful, and we cannot explain them away or ignore them. We must pray and *sacrifice* that the cardinals allow the Holy Ghost to inspire them to elect a pope who will lead the Church according to God’s Will – not theirs and not ours.

St. Alphonsus de Liguori, Doctor of the Church, provides such wise counsel, imperative for the Church at all times but especially when “it is a dangerous time,” as the anonymous cardinal phrased it when speaking to Mr. Moynihan. As. St. Alphonsus wrote:
 

“As regards the bishops, very few of them possess genuine zeal for souls. Almost all religious communities — and one could omit the “almost” — are relaxed. As a result of the present state of general confusion, observance has collapsed and obedience is a thing of the past. The state of the secular clergy is still worse: so, in a word, there is a need for a general reform of all clerics and ecclesiastics if there is to be any improvement in the present great corruption of morals among the laity.”

“So we have to pray to Jesus Christ that He would give as Head of the Church one possessed of more spirit and zeal for the glory of God than of learning and of human prudence. He should be free of all party attachments and devoid of human respect. If, by chance, for our great misfortune, we should get a Pope that does not have the glory of God as his sole purpose, the Lord will not help him greatly and things from their present condition will go from bad to worse. However, prayer, which can provide a remedy for so many present ills, will move the Lord to put His hand to the problem and remedy the situation.” (Excerpt from the saint’s letter to a bishop, dated 24 October, 1774 from Selected Writings — The Classics of Western Spirituality)

Let's take the counsel of a saint who is also a Doctor of the Church. Cast your "vote" for a holy Pope by praying earnestly and making more sacrifices to God for this intention!

 

 

The Great Comet: Will a Pope Flee in December?

Nostradamus warned that the next-to-last pope would "flee Rome in December when the great comet is seen in the daytime." That's the latest news spreading over the net, and it seems it may have started with NBC's World News. If that prophecy (not to mention others about which I've been writing) is accurate, the next-to-last pope is either Benedict XVI, Pope Emeritus, or the one who will be elected in the conclave, which officially opens tomorrow, March 12.
 
Readers of this blog know that the topics of my most recent articles have included "a bishop dressed in white" who is described in the Third Secret of Fatima (a Vision),  the lightening that struck St. Peter's dome hours after Benedict XVI announced his resignation, the earthquake near Rome three days after the official abdication, and prophesies like the alleged St. Malachy "Petrus Romanus" prophecies. My latest article, Comets and Coincidences, made the connection between the upcoming November 2013 Comet ISON and another Nostradamus prophecy.  
 
While the most recent prophecy excerpt about a pope fleeing in December (while a great comet lights the daytime sky) is certainly intriguing, I'm not certain if the news writers got this one right. In the World News article, no further information on this particular Nostradamus prophecy is offered -  not the quatrain number, not even the entire prophecy. All we have is an excerpt.  (Meanwhile, I've already conducted a search. So far, every website or blog simply repeats the exact excerpt of a sentence (to wit, "flee Rome in December when the great comet is seen in the daytime"), and nothing more. I f I may, I would like to invite my readers to look it up. If anyone has any success finding the entire prophecy, I would appreciate a heads-up, accompanied by a link. Thanks so much!)
 
Here's the thing: If Nostradamus did indeed prophesy with those words, he indicated that December is the month of the "great comet." The NBC World News article makes a brief reference to the calendar difference of Nostradamus' time to ours, but the article again offers no specifics. The facts are that Nostradamus died in 1566 A.D. and the Gregorian calendar was instituted on October 4, 1582 - advancing the calendar by 10 days (but during a leap year, 11 days). Now that's a bit uncanny if Nostradamus did prophecy about a December comet, and here's why:

1.) Comet ISON will enter the sun's orbit on November 28, 2013 A.D.  If it survives, astronomers are predicting it could become so bright that it will be seen in the daylight hours - and, indeed, that would be a "great comet."  
 
2.) As I noted in Comets and Coincidences, Nostradamus did predict that "the great star will burn for seven days" and a cloud will cause two suns to appear. He concludes the prophecy: "The [Great] Mastiff will howl all night, and the Pontiff will flee to another country." In his book, Catholic Prophecy, Yves Dupont mused that the "Great Mastiff" could be "Arab powers."

3) If we can take Nostradamus literally, and if Comet ISON is the "great comet," it will begin to burn brightly on or around November 28th, and continue to burn through Wednesday, December 4th or Thursday, December 5th. If such is the case, Nostradamus was right about a "great comet," down to the very month.

Speaking of comet prophecies, here is another one from St. Hildegard of Bingen (d. 1179 A.D.):

"Before the Comet comes, many nations, the good excepted, will be scoured with want and famine. The great nation in the ocean that is inhabited by people of different tribes and descent by an earthquake, storm and tidal waves will be devastated. It will be divided, and in great part submerged. That nation will also have many misfortunes at sea, and lose its colonies in the east through a Tiger and a Lion."

"The Comet by its tremendous pressure, will force much out of the ocean and flood many countries, causing much want and many plagues. All sea coast cities will be fearful and many of them will be destroyed by tidal waves, and most living creatures will be killed and even those who escape will die from a horrible disease. For in none of these cities does a person live according to the laws of God."
 

It is very amazing when these "coincidences" of lightning strikes, minor earthquakes, comets, and papal prophecies are getting the attention of secular news sources. Meanwhile, many Catholics who are making inquiries to their priests about these signs are usually being told to calm down, relax, and simply live a life of sanctifying grace.

Frankly speaking, if more people were living a life of sanctifying grace, we wouldn't be receiving these warning signs from God. I've said this before but will say it again, quoting Fr. Bernard Kramer, who was an biblical exegete, especially on the Apocalypse: "In the Septuagint, the word [sign] is used for celestial phenomena." (The Septuagint is the ancient Greek translation of the Old Testament.)

In the Old Testament, God said, "Let there be lights made in the firmament of Heaven, to divide the day and the night, and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days and years." (Gen. 1:14-16, Douay-Rheims Bible) In Hebrew, the word 'season' is 'moed' and and signifies an appointed or fixed time (which means it does not indicate the seasons of spring, summer, fall, or winter.) 

In the New Testament, Jesus Christ, Our Lord, said: "And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, by reason of the confusion of the roaring of the sea and of the waves; Men withering away for fear, and expectation of what shall come upon the whole world. For the powers of heaven shall be moved." (Lk. 21: 25-26) That is an infallible prophesy. It will happen. What's more, this infallible prophecy seems to have a connection to St. Hildegard's, mentioned above. Moreover, the word "heavens" could mean the skies above, but it could also mean "the Church" since in biblical prophecy, the word "heaven" or "heavens" usually indicates the Church.  Again, if that is the case, Our Lord could have meant "For the powers of the Church shall be moved" - indicating a Pope and perhaps also the hierarchy.
 
For these reasons, let's pay very respectful attention to the signs so far given. Is it really a coincidence that lightning struck the dome of St. Peter's, just before 6 p.m., on the same day Benedict XVI announced his resignation? How about the "light" earthquake that struck near Rome, three days after the pope's official resignation? Perhaps they were small but remarkable "coincidences" (the news about both certainly received attention), but let's also consider that in the Bible, God uses lighting and earthquakes as signs.

Finally, let's also look at this year's comets and the timing of their appearances. The comet that blazed through Russia did so on the first Friday in Lent, Comet Pan-STARRS is appearing at its brightest during Lent, and Comet ISON (if it successfully passes through the sun) will burn brightly during the first week of Advent 2013. Both Lent and Advent are penitential "seasons" of the Church.  The common sense of a faithful Catholic would say it is highly likely these comets are signs from God.  Pay attention and respond as we should.  Pray and do penance for our own sins and for the conversion of sinners.

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Comets and Coincidences

Comet Pan-STARRS on March 2, 2013.
Taken by astro-photographer
Luis Argerich of Buenos Aires, Argentina,
who says "Easy to see with the naked eye
from a rural location."

It seems 2013 promises to be “the Year of Comets,” close calls, and coincidences.  On February 11, the pope renounced his office. At 6 p.m. that very day, lightning struck the clock-tower (sorry, I meant the dome of St. Peter’s). Four days later (the first Friday of Lent, commemorating the Crown of Thorns), at 7:25 a.m. (Moscow time), Russia was sonically boomed by a meteor (some say a comet) that injured at least 1,200 people (including children). The timing of these incidences certainly gives one reason to pause. A pope resigns and a few days afterward, Russia gets zapped by a meteor. You know…Fatima, pope, Russia. That’s a wee coincidence.

As it turns out, there was a rather large (and close) “space rock” flying around out there in the heavenly skies. (No, it was not I who coined the term “space rock.”) “After skimming closer to the earth than any other asteroid of its size, space rock 2012 DA14 missed us by about 17,100 miles …In a rather uncomfortable coincidence, a measure of the type of damage that can result from such rocks from space was demonstrated earlier on Friday [February 15, 2013] when a meteor streaked across the sky and exploded over central Russia, raining fireballs over a vast area and causing a shockwave that smashed windows, damaged buildings and injured 1,200 people.”  (The Guardian, UK )

Then an earthquake struck Rome, just three days after the former pope’s official February 28 resignation. Benedict XVI (Pope Emeritus) was at Castel Gandolfo (the traditional summer residence of the popes) when the mild earthquake momentarily shook things up. Agence France-Presse reported the earthquake had a local magnitude of 2.5 and was felt in Rome, Ciapino, Marino and Castel Gandolfo. The Italian Department of Civil Protection receives no reports of death, injury, or serious damage. Italia Domani asked whether the earthquake wasn't a sign for the cardinals who will soon be choosing a new pope.

Aw, c’mon…these are just coincidences – right? Right?

Coincidences? I don’t believe in them. I do believe and profess in Tradition and Scripture (otherwise known as “Divine Revelation” or “the Deposit of Faith.”), which are matters of faith. With a very ardent human faith, I believe in Fatima, Lourdes, LaSalette, Rue-de-bac, the Sacred Heart apparitions, Guadalupe, and other Church-approved apparitions and locutions. Finally, I keep an eye (and an open but objective mind) on “private revelations” made by saints and beati or highly respected (and deceased) persons of the Catholic Faith.

With that said, the following is a bit o’ coincidental information on the comets of 2013 that I literally grabbed (ok, copied and pasted), edited a bit, and put into what I believe is a more logical order.

“This year could be the ‘year of the comets,’ according to some astronomers keeping an eye on icy balls of gas and dust roaming through the solar system. Two comets will brighten the Northern Hemisphere in a potentially history-making fashion, with the first one coming into view this week.” [Space] I should also make a quick mention of Comet Lemon, which was seen in the southern hemisphere.

GET THIS: “A newly discovered asteroid the size of a football field will cruise through Earth's neighborhood this weekend, just days after another space rock made an even closer approach to our planet. There is no danger that 2013 ET will hit Earth, researchers say, just as 2013 EC posed no threat. But their flybys are slightly unsettling nonetheless, since both asteroids were discovered a mere few days ago.”

 

FIRST OF TWO BRIGHT COMETS IN 2013 APPEARS IN NORTHERN SKIES - TONIGHT!

FIRST COMET for the Northern Skies: “The first comet set to give northerners a show is Comet Pan-STARRS. Discovered in June 2011, it will first pass into view in the Northern Hemisphere early this month, after streaking through the southern skies earlier in the year, according to David Eicher, Editor-in-chief of Astronomy Magazine.

SEE IT NOW: “The comet makes its Northern Hemisphere appearance today (March 7) and will be at its brightest, and closest to the sun, on Sunday (March 10). Previously, it was only visible from the Southern Hemisphere, where it wowed stargazers and was even visible at the same time as another southern comet, Comet Lemmon. [How to see the comet]”

“PANSTARRS will appear above the western horizon after sunset for Northern Hemisphere viewers. To see it, you will need an unobstructed, cloudless view of the west after sunset. It is best to pick a dark spot, away from streetlights. Look in the sunset direction, as soon as the sky darkens. The comet will be just above the horizon.”

 

In simpler terms: “Go out and, in the evening sky, especially the first week of March, look to the west,” Eicher said of Pan-STARRS. “It will be one of the brightest things in the sky. It will pop out. It will look like a blob, a fuzzy star, and you should be able to see a tail sticking upward from horizon.” According to Eicher, the comet's tail will be visible in a dark, evening sky, and it should match the brightness of Polaris, the North Star.

 

 

THIS Sunday, March 10, 2013. “The comet passes closest to the sun – as close as our sun’s innermost planet, Mercury – at 0.30 AU – or about 28 million miles (45 million kilometers). Comets are typically brightest and most active around the time they are closest to the sun when solar heating vaporizes ice and dust from the comet’s outer crust. Not only will the comet quickly brighten, but it should also develop the long classic comet dust tail.” [EarthSky]

NOVEMBER COMET: Its name is Comet ISON, and it sounds like “the Big Kahuna.” As Eicher said, "In late November, ISON should be in the morning sky. It should be as bright or brighter than Venus. It could be the brightest comet that anyone alive has ever seen."

Cool beans. (I think.) Comet ISON could become visible – even in broad daylight. Discovered in 2012, astronomers note it is spewing gas and dust in great amounts. On November 28, 2013, ISON will fly through the sun’s atmosphere. If it survives, it could glow as bright as the moon – again, even in broad daylight.

Now here comes an amazing coincidence. But first, may I suggest viewing the video link below? Afterward, kindly scroll down and see a bit more about this comet and a pretty amazing “coincidence.” On the other hand, perhaps you should scroll now and see what I have to say about Comet ISON and the connecting coincidence, and then see the video. “Your choice,” she said with a smile. )

A video on Comet ISON (This link will open a new window)

Moving on to the “coincidental coincidence,” remember the Nostradamus prophecy about the cloud and the two stars and the howling Mastiff and the Pope going into exile? If not, here it is again:

 

 “The great star will burn for seven days,
The cloud will cause two suns to appear.
The Mastiff will be howling all night
When the Great Pontiff will change country.”

 

Ready for the "big coincidence"?

THE COMETS FROM THE CLOUD: “Both PanSTARRS and ISON are thought to come from the Oort Cloud, a mass of icy bodies orbiting the sun from up to 93 trillion miles (150 trillion km) away. Occasionally, a comet gets expelled from the cloud and finds a new orbit that brings it closer to the inner solar system.”

Known as sungrazers, “these comets come so close to the sun that some of them shatter or even collide with the star. But if they survive, Eicher said, they could become some of the brightest objects in the sky. The gas trails from these comets are even more dazzling than usual because the ice in the nucleus of the comets is melting for the first time.”

“Astronomers are particularly excited about ISON because its orbit should bring the comet close enough to the sun and the Earth to make it one of the brightest objects in the sky come November. However, it is possible that the comet could break apart if it flies too close to the sun.”

 

While both comets may come from the Oort Cloud, it is Comet ISON that may shine so brightly during the day that it, together with the sun, could appear as "two suns in the sky." In fact, it may shine that brightly for a week! If that turns out to be the case, Comet ISON may portend world events in which the "Mastiff" (interpreted as a "Middle East" power) will be howling all night" and "the Pontiff" will flee to another country, resulting in his exile.

 

“Will it sizzle – or fizzle?” as the NASA narrator asked (in the video above).  Ah, that is the question. “There's no way to predict it," Eicher said of ISON. "The major factors are all favoring that it will be really bright.” Or as comet specialist David Levy says, "Comets are like cats; they have tails, and they do precisely what they want."

 

Hmmm. What a coincidence!