Consecrated To The Immaculate Heart Of Mary, Or To Pachamama???

There is some confusion and consternation regarding some translations of the consecration prayer used today by the pope.  I linked to it a few days ago; obviously I linked to the English translation.  The phrase in question is "Queen of Heaven".  In the English, this is a perfectly fine reference to use for Our Lady.  However, in the Italian, the language used by the pope in the consecration prayer earlier today, the phrase put in its place was "tiera del cielo".  Roughly translated, it means "earth of heaven".  Some think this may be a not-so-veiled reference to the pachamama demon-idol. 

Below are two videos, one from Taylor Marshall and the other from Michael Hichborn - both men whom I respect.  Marshall believes that the phrasing is, at best, suspicious.  Hichborn doesn't and he cites some Byzantine liturgies as precedents for the phrase's use.

I tend to side with Marshall on this one.  Even if Hichborn is correct in believing the phrase has basis for usage, it doesn't explain the variance between the English and Italian translations.  "Queen" simply doesn't get translated into "earth".  If anything, "Queen of Heaven" should be rendered "Regina Cielo" or something to that effect.  Why the disparity in those two words?  Most other languages, by the way, have the "earth of heaven" phrase as well.  So again, why is the English have a phrase that is more compatible with traditional Catholicism?

Well, call me a cynic, but I believe that you are looking at one of those reasons.  Blogs and other media outlets such as this, many of them in English-speaking countries, are run by us "neo-palagian rigid trads" who have obnoxious habits of calling the shots as we see them and doing so loudly and often.  Perhaps the Vatican thought we'd be so ecstatic about the consecration occurring that they thought we wouldn't notice such teensy details.  But, as they say, the devil is in the details - perhaps literally.

At the end of the day, though, there is hope that the consecration was done properly - not assurance but hope.  Both of the men below agree that no matter what, we must still conduct ourselves according to the requests of Our Lady of Fatima.  That means praying the Rosary daily and wearing the brown scapular.  That means keeping the Five First Saturday devotions.  That means prayer and penance.  We are still in for some intense battles so stay close to Our Lord and Our Lady.

Solemnity Of Mary, Mother Of God

Saints Athanasius and Cyril, both bishops of Alexandria and Doctors of the Church, are the doctors most closely associated with the dogma declaring Mary to be the Mother of God.  Here is an example of Athanasius' writings; note that it is the second reading in today's Office of Readings in the Liturgy of the Hours.  The Council of Ephesus, at which Cyril presided, formalized the dogma.  It is important to realize how a correct understanding of Mary as Mother of God is critical to understanding the Personhood of Jesus Christ Himself.

So today all faithful Catholics participated at Mass since this solemnity is a Holy Day of Obligation.  Traditionally on this day the recitation of the Veni Creator is attached to a plenary indulgence (other conditions applying of course).  There are a few other key things about today.

• Today is First Friday of the month.  Tomorrow will be First Saturday.
• Today is the first "first of the month" since the inauguration of the Operation Storm Heaven campaign.  Today is the day to start!

In the next post, I'll be commenting on some recent articles that I think outline (in part) some of the issues with which we're dealing inside the Church.

Priorities Before The Festivities Of The Fourth

Before we celebrate our once-great nation, we need to take an honest assessment of it.  If you've read this blog and others like it - and have been paying attention to current events - you'll realize that the United States of America is undergoing serious decay on all fronts.  The deterioration has been primarily spiritual and moral as we've forgotten and even disdained our Christian roots and the Lord Jesus Christ.  The decay naturally spread into economic and military aspects of our nation.

Our responsibility as Christians is to pray and work for repentance of all.  Only then dare we entertain any hope of abating this rapid deterioration of our country - and western civilization, for that matter.

As well as being Independence Day, today is First Friday.  Have you gone to Mass yet?  If not, I'd suggest looking on the internet for a First Friday Mass that you can attend.  Our Lord gave to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque very specific promises to those who receive Holy Communion on nine consecutive First Fridays; can we not agree that in this day and age that these graces are desperately needed?

Also, tomorrow is First Saturday.  Our Lady of Fatima made additional promises to those who make reparation for sins and blasphemies of others.  Please read this brief account.  Again, do we not see that our poor world needs all the graces that our poor actions can procure for it?  Those of you away on a nice holiday weekend - please go to Mass tomorrow as well.  Everything else can wait.

I'll end this by quoting 2 Chronicles 7:14 (from the Douay-Rheims version): "And my people, upon whom my name is called, being converted, shall make supplication to me, and seek out my face, and do penance for their most wicked ways: then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sins and will heal their land."

Who are "my people"?  That's us, folks!  The responsibility is laid squarely on our shoulders.  Let's move.