De Omnibus Dubitandum Est.

This week I am talking at Walsingham House about the Archangel Michael prayer. I have thus been reminding myself of what I have learnt and what I have read about Angels. Providentially, Paul Priest who blogs as On The Side of the Angels, has posted a couple of links to really useful talks on the subject of Angels. I always find this sort of coincidence a blessing, and so cannot but consider that God & my Guardian Angel want me to impart some of this information in my talk. To this end, I have had a good listen to the talk Paul links to by Fr. Chad Ripperger here . I would highly recommend you take the opportunity to do so also. I should warn you at 1:03ish, he answers a question about demons threatening him during exorcism which is a bit scary! Fr. Ripperger is a member of The Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter (FSSP) a society of apostolic life of pontifical right founded with the approval of His Holiness John Paul II. He is also a professor of Dogmatic and Moral Theo...

The main criticisms I have heard aimed at Pope Francis seem largely motivated by a love and concern for the liturgical reform instigated by Pope Benedict. I cannot help but wonder whether this constitutes a somewhat insular concern in that, 1. I think it is very early to be making any judgements and 2. although many of us loved what we saw Pope Benedict trying to gently do, most people didn't even notice, or understand. We can learn much about Pope Benedict's papacy by reflecting on this I think and I have to wonder who was actually switched on to what he was doing liturgically and theologically. I know I have enjoyed discussing and teasing out lots of the little signs and symbols he has given us over the course of his papacy, and I have been deeply enriched as a result. But I have engaged in a lot of defence and a lot of explanation as well. I want to continue a discussion began here because I don't want anyone to mistake my points therein as criticisms or even dis...