In May 1968, Pope Paul VI was giving a homily in which he was discussing the state of the Church after the historic 21st ecumenical council, more commonly referred to as Vatican II (1962-1965).
Lamenting that instead of "breaking into the hymn of joy at having renewed its fullness in awareness of self" through Vatican II- instead that there has been an "intervention of an adverse power. Its name is the devil" That "from some fissure the smoke of Satan has entered the temple of God."
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Understand that when he says "awareness of self" he is referring to the Dogmatic Constitution of the Church, Lumen Gentium, which means "light of nations" that all baptized are called to bring the light of Christ to all men. This is the call to holiness expressed throughout all the documents of Vatican II. Just read that first paragraph and you will see what, as a lay person, is your "inner nature and universal mission."
Before Vatican II, there were various movements such as Catholic Action each operating independently in different countries throughout the world. I have a connection to the Christero movement in Mexico (c.1920's) that was a reaction to the anti-clerical laws passed by Mexican President Calles, who was denounced by Pope Pius X in his 1926 encyclical. This mini war on the Church in Mexico led many to flee to America from religious persecution by the Mexican authorities, which my great grandfather/mother did arriving in Laredo during that time.
There were other movements; in Germany for example, opposing Nazis and raising up strong faithful Catholic families- The Shoenstatt Movement was another example of the lay faithful becoming instruments of God's presence on earth to the people of Germany during a very dark time in history. Still, the Church needed to "update" as it were the vision that is founded in scripture and given to all in the baptismal calling. As it is written, (Chp. 4, 31):
"These faithful are by baptism made one body with Christ and are constituted among the People of God; they are in their own way made sharers in the priestly, prophetical, and kingly functions of Christ; and they carry out for their own part the mission of the whole Christian people in the Church and in the world."
THAT is the issue many take with Vatican II, that the lay faithful, went from standing apart, men from women, children in the back, priest facing away from the people, everything in a foreign language (Latin)- to the lay faithful leading the charge, the new evangelization, as Pope John Paul II would call it. Vatican II encouraged a "ground up" view of the mission instead of a "top down" view- which rankled the establishment then and still today with accusations of so-called Social Justice warriors.
The mercy and love of Jesus is for all. No one is to suppress this. This is our calling as baptized Catholics, to bring the light of Christ to the world. It does not say to sit in judgement of others, to deem who is or who is not worthy of Christ. Furthermore and just as important, it is to stand together! One, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church- the four marks! Jesus said, "Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand." (Mt 12:25)
That brings us to the latest sad evidence that the "smoke of Satan" is still at work when well meaning (I hope) good priest see Pope Francis as an "anti-Pope upsuper" - here is a quick take on it:
Lamenting that instead of "breaking into the hymn of joy at having renewed its fullness in awareness of self" through Vatican II- instead that there has been an "intervention of an adverse power. Its name is the devil" That "from some fissure the smoke of Satan has entered the temple of God."
+++
Understand that when he says "awareness of self" he is referring to the Dogmatic Constitution of the Church, Lumen Gentium, which means "light of nations" that all baptized are called to bring the light of Christ to all men. This is the call to holiness expressed throughout all the documents of Vatican II. Just read that first paragraph and you will see what, as a lay person, is your "inner nature and universal mission."
Before Vatican II, there were various movements such as Catholic Action each operating independently in different countries throughout the world. I have a connection to the Christero movement in Mexico (c.1920's) that was a reaction to the anti-clerical laws passed by Mexican President Calles, who was denounced by Pope Pius X in his 1926 encyclical. This mini war on the Church in Mexico led many to flee to America from religious persecution by the Mexican authorities, which my great grandfather/mother did arriving in Laredo during that time.
There were other movements; in Germany for example, opposing Nazis and raising up strong faithful Catholic families- The Shoenstatt Movement was another example of the lay faithful becoming instruments of God's presence on earth to the people of Germany during a very dark time in history. Still, the Church needed to "update" as it were the vision that is founded in scripture and given to all in the baptismal calling. As it is written, (Chp. 4, 31):
"These faithful are by baptism made one body with Christ and are constituted among the People of God; they are in their own way made sharers in the priestly, prophetical, and kingly functions of Christ; and they carry out for their own part the mission of the whole Christian people in the Church and in the world."
THAT is the issue many take with Vatican II, that the lay faithful, went from standing apart, men from women, children in the back, priest facing away from the people, everything in a foreign language (Latin)- to the lay faithful leading the charge, the new evangelization, as Pope John Paul II would call it. Vatican II encouraged a "ground up" view of the mission instead of a "top down" view- which rankled the establishment then and still today with accusations of so-called Social Justice warriors.
The mercy and love of Jesus is for all. No one is to suppress this. This is our calling as baptized Catholics, to bring the light of Christ to the world. It does not say to sit in judgement of others, to deem who is or who is not worthy of Christ. Furthermore and just as important, it is to stand together! One, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church- the four marks! Jesus said, "Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand." (Mt 12:25)
That brings us to the latest sad evidence that the "smoke of Satan" is still at work when well meaning (I hope) good priest see Pope Francis as an "anti-Pope upsuper" - here is a quick take on it:
