One Good Man

Ever since the beginning of the Catholic Church, there have been periods of extreme trial and difficulties that have tested the faith of Christians. Yet, in the midst of such dark times, God always provides saints, holy men and women who help the Church remain on course.

As St. Paul wrote in his letter to the Romans, “where sin increased, grace abounded all the more” (Romans 5:20).

This should give us hope, recognizing the providence of God and how he does not leave us as orphans, but continues to guide the members of his Church to truth, beauty and goodness.

When you look at the Counter Reformation, for example, you find examples of extraordinary men & women who single-handedly re-invigorated the faith.

For example, St Ignatius Loyola founded the Jesuits with the aim of proclaiming the Gospel in charity and truth, placing an emphasis on interior renewal.

St Philip Neri had a knack for starting up conversations and leading his listeners to consider a new and better way of life, the Christian Way. He easily caught others' attention with his warm personality and incredible sense of humour. He encouraged groups of people to gather for discussions, studies, prayer and the enjoyment of music. His customary question was always, "Well, brothers, when shall we begin to do good?" Philip was respected and loved throughout Rome; he became a trusted advisor to popes, kings, cardinals and equally as important to the poor.

He whole-heartedly desired the reform of the Catholic Church and worked toward that with a sense of gentleness and friendship, rather than criticism and harshness.

His efforts to reach out to the lay people of Rome and not simply associate with the clergy made him one of the great figures in the Counter Reformation of the Catholic Church. He soon earned the title, "Apostle of Rome."

Two years after she was born, Luther started the Protestant Reformation. Out of all of this change came Teresa pointing the way from outer turmoil to inner peace. Teresa worked hard to return the cloister of religious life back to its simplicity and poverty, eliminating many abuses.

We need men & women who are unafraid to point out where the Church is abandoning the Gospel and the revelation of Jesus Christ and accommodating the secular age. Often all it takes is one good man to build the Kingdom.

Bishop Strickland of Tyler Texas really strikes me as a saintly voice in all this confusion: he speaks as a spiritual father here in this interview with Michael Voris. 

Just the fact he is prepared to appear on screen with Michael (another prophetic voice of our age) shows his courage & also his focus; which is always on Christ.

In this interview Bishop Strickland gives some important insights:

The Synodal Way in Germany is false teaching and a threat to the deposit of faith.

The Synod on Synods can only bear fruit if it leads us to Jesus Christ.

Is there a need to redefine the narrow diocesan confines of the episcopacy  in light of social media?

The German bishops are speaking falsehood as a body. The false Gospel they are promulgating damages the faithful throughout the world.

Cardinal Hollerich declaring that Church teaching is false is private revelation and to be corrected as wrong. He is on a false path and is anathema.

Have the hierarchy ceased to believe the deposit of faith?

The bishop encourages us to pray about all this and persevere in our faith.

The rejection of Humanae vitae decimated the papacy of Paul VI.

The world needs the joy that the truth of Jesus Christ brings us!

Jesus Christ is the principle of unity for the whole of humanity: division comes through rejection of that truth.

His simple focus on Jesus and concentration on the unity found in Him are the things that make this an exposition of Catholicism par excellence in my opinion. Easy to grasp, and speaking to the heart. I found it most heart warming and encouraging and I hope you do too!

St. Ignatius Loyola, ora pro nobis!

St. Philip Neri, ora pro nobis!

St. Teresa of Avila, ora pro nobis!