I have tremendous respect for the Holy Father and find the current forward assault against him both pathetic and shabby. Humanity is beset by sexual crimes and sexual criminals, and in this broken, fallen world -- although horrifying and tragic -- it is not surprising to see some of these criminals among the clergy of the Church. Those of us who recall the rise of Communism in the 20th century may also remember that the Church's great enemies in Russia and in the Communist Parties of the world had a programme of infiltration to put all sorts of traitors into the ordained ministries of the Catholic Church. Bella Dodd made this abundantly clear to a generation of Catholics who grew up with Archbishop Fulton Sheen on radio and then television.
Now it is a separate matter when one discusses the way the local bishops dealt with these sexual fiends in the clergy. The episcopate in general has yet to don sackcloth and ashes appropriate to their tremendous failure in protecting the children of God. I am profoundly convinced that until the episcopate repents and does corporate penance led by the Holy Father, the Church will struggle in a most painful, public way against her enemies. However, if the episcopate engaged in public corporate penance they could then lead humanity in corporate penance for all of the sexual crimes against children and adolescents all over the world. A penitent, humble, and humbled Church can lead humanity to God.
At this moment it
is imperative that we pray for the Holy Father since it is a time of open struggle against the Pope and against the Faith. We must pray for his health, for divine protection of his person, and for him to receive all of the graces, gifts, and blessings from the Holy Trinity that he needs as the Vicar of Christ on Earth. I invite you, dear Reader, to join in this novena which I believe is tremendously important at this time.This novena may begin on The First Sunday after Easter (Divine Mercy Sunday), April 11th, and conclude on Monday, April 19th, the fifth anniversary of the Holy Father’s election.
O God, who art the Pastor and Governor of them that put their trust in thee; look down in mercy on thy servant Benedict, whom thou has chosen to be pastor and ruler of thy Church. Grant unto him, we beseech thee, a spirit of courage and right judgement, that he and all thy whole Church may be preserved and strengthened against every adversity; through Jesus Christ thy Son our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost ever, one God, world without end. Amen.
V. Let us pray for the Holy Father, Pope Benedict.
R. May the Lord preserve him, give him a long life, make him blessed upon the earth, and not hand him over to the power of his enemies.
V. May thy hand, O Lord, be upon thy servant;
R. Whom thou hast anointed, to be a priest forever after the order of Melchisedek.
Our Father… Hail Mary… Glory Be…
+Laus Deo.
