Tribulation always takes us by surprise and hurts us, whatever it may be – the brutal loss of a loved one, an accident, a contradiction, an error, the consequences of our own sins... Then we fail to control the violent emotions that agitate us. Blinded by grief, we are distraught, and, adding to our confusion, an interior voice repeats a nagging "why?" Shut up in our deep affliction, shaken by the roaring flood of our emotions and subject to the tyrannical power of our own imagination, we are impotent to answer that painful question.
Dear Friends and Benefactors,
Tribulation always takes us by surprise and hurts us, whatever it may be – the brutal loss of a loved one, an accident, a contradiction, an error, the consequences of our own sins... Then we fail to control the violent emotions that agitate us. Blinded by grief, we are distraught, and, adding to our confusion, an interior voice repeats a nagging "why?" Shut up in our deep affliction, shaken by the roaring flood of our emotions and subject to the tyrannical power of our own imagination, we are impotent to answer that painful question.
The recent, brief meeting between the Holy Father and the Superior General of the Society of St. Pius X has suddenly provoked a flurry of rumors. This is not something new, but it deserves to be considered so as not to let ourselves be taken over by a spirit of suspicion – a distrust that is nothing else but the cockle sown by the devil who, according to the strong words of St. Peter, prowls about us like a roaring lion, seeking to devour us.
The devil does prowl about us. It is obvious. But the battlefield is not restricted to attacks against faith and morals. After his fall, the devil has kept his powers, and his snares are always deadly. We must be on our guard, right and left, as the subtlety of the Beast remains undiminished. Even among us, it worms its way into our hearts through the venom of rumors.
"Brother goeth to law with brother, and that before unbelievers... Know you not that the unjust shall not possess the kingdom of God?" (1 Cor 6:6) This warning of the Apostle also applies to all those who peddle - or invent - rumors. Such people belong to the sorry race of calumniators, who breathe but venom and bitterness, which they pour upon their neighbors under the pretense of kind concern.
Rumors are a satanic weapon for those who are intent on destruction, as rumors leave in the soul of the listener a persistent, disturbing uneasiness that seems to encourage the dissemination of the "news" just received in confidence. The diabolical origin of rumors is proven by the fact that they fear to be exposed in daylight. On the contrary, they are discussed in small groups and secret gatherings, under the pretext of edifying our neighbor or of warning him against such or such person. Rumors have grown immeasurably thanks to the Internet which allows them to spread their poison throughout the whole world.
Those who spread rumors pose as good apostles – but they are not. The rumors themselves are proof that those who disseminate them have souls poisoned by resentment, grudges or jealousy. If they are certain of their facts, why don't they speak openly? They fear to be exposed in full light so much that they pass on their remarks in an ambiance of suspicion, where they are able to speak as they please of those who are absent, and to judge and condemn them without pity. Is that charity? Is that courage?
True courage would be to say such important things in the open, before a large audience. But they don't do it. They remain silent. Why? Why are they now silent who spoke so loudly in their restricted meetings? They have become Satan's instruments and thus act like him, avoiding the light, sowing only trouble in souls. If they are certain of what they say, why do they say it as conspirators who have no greater fear than to be found out?
They will have to render an account, before the tribunal of God, of their vain words, of the judgments without appeal that they have passed, attributing to themselves the roles of both accuser and judge, in contempt of any justice. They will have to answer to the Just Judge for the trouble they have caused in souls, for the reputations sullied, for the suspicions cast, suspicions that will continue to plague their victims for a long time, and for the divisions caused between individuals and families by their venomous words. What will they answer when Christ accuses them of having helped the enemy of mankind, that enemy who rejoices in the divisions that weaken the good and are an obstacle for conversions? Have they forgotten that it was the charity of the first Christians that converted the Roman Empire?
All those who cultivate rumors, spread them and are nourished by them are similar to the anopheles mosquitoes that live in marshes and prey upon the men who approach them, transmitting paludism, a terrible illness that causes intermittent and violent fevers that last, in sudden attacks, for the rest of a man's life.
Our first concern must be to avoid approaching such troubled and unhealthy waters. We must refuse to venture into those marshy regions where it is not rare to die by a slow, inexorable asphyxiation of the soul. Rumors are spread by subtle insinuations, in which it is difficult to discern and separate what is true from what is false. The slogan of Voltaire could serve today as motto for those who disseminate such hearsay: "Lie, lie and lie again – something will remain. "
St. John Berchmans said that all troubles come from the devil. If we apply the rules of discernment of spirits to the case of rumors, it is clear that their poisoned fruits do not come from God. The first fruit is the inquietude that gnaws into the soul. The second, more dangerous, is the suspicion that spreads throughout the members of the body as a tumor and sterilizes the work of Redemption, as it obliterates the bond of charity.
Confronted by this cancer, we must react with all our strength. Half-measures are useless. We must refuse to listen to such gossip. If it is necessary, we must even avoid those persons who thus spread their resentment and hostility. Simply listening to them, even without saying anything, is already a sin – our silence encourages them and it may give the impression that we agree at least a little with them.
The combat we must fight is grave. The stakes are far beyond our persons – the future of Catholicism is at stake. Are we ready to work with intelligence and determination so that our children may tomorrow still breathe the air of Christendom? If so, then let us overcome our susceptibilities, let us cease the useless quarreling that disperse our forces, and let us apply ourselves to act in truth and charity with our brethren, without distinction of persons, without gloating over their failings, but having between us the bond of perfection, that charity that excuses all, understands all, and makes us participants in the divine life.
In Christo Sacerdote et Maria,
Fr. Yves le Roux
NEWS FROM THE SEMINARY
We keep receiving letters directed to our former postal address (RR 1 Box 97 A-1, Winona, MN), which was changed almost two years ago. The Post Office has informed us that letters so addressed will not be delivered any more. Therefore, please take note of our current address, 21077 Quarry Hill Rd., Winona, MN 55987, to avoid the loss of your letters and donations.
As we write this letter, twenty-five new seminarians are expected to begin their studies this coming October. It has been hard to find room for all of them, but we have managed, and our property is bursting at the seams! Please, keep us all in your prayers.
During this summer, the Seminary has seen the departure of Rev. Fr. James Doran to become the Prior of Geneva (Switzerland), and the arrival of Rev. Fr. Patrick Abbet, a Swiss, in his place. Rev. Fr. Philippe Pazat will take a sabbatical year at the Seminary – but not quite, as he will be in charge of the Brothers and will help us with our mission runs.
Finally, the Brothers' Novitiate has been moved from El Paso, TX to the Seminary, a move that we expect will have beneficial effects both on the Brothers and the Seminarians, preparing them for their future life of collaboration in the Priories and Schools.