Volume IV, Issue 23, November 3, 2007

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- The Seven Sorrows of China, Part IV by Mark Miravalle
- Heaven Speaks to Those who Experience Tragedy by "Anne," a Lay Apostle
- The Mariology of St. Edith Stein by Freda Mary Oben, Ph.D.
- Private Revelation: Discerning with the Church, Part II by Mark Miravalle
- Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament: The Connection between the Eucharist and the Person of Mary by Brad Gholston
- The Holy Slavery of Love by St. Louis Marie de Montfort
- A Glorified Lady, Resplendently Beautiful by The Lady of All Nations

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- The Seven Sorrows of China, Part IV by Mark Miravalle

What is the real story of the Catholic Church in China? Are persecutions of bishops, priests, and faithful loyal to Rome easing up, as would be expected by a government that purports to be granting more religious freedom as part of its new "democratic approach"?

On June 30, 2007, Pope Benedict XVI released a rare papal document—a letter not for the entire Catholic world, nor to a continent, but to an individual country: To the Bishops, Priests, Consecrated Persons, and Lay Faithful of the Catholic Church in the People’s Republic of China.

Even a quick read of the document reveals that Pope Benedict has released a very carefully worded document that on the one hand calls for the true fidelity and obedience appropriate for a local church in communion with the Catholic Church universal, and at the same time deals with an unusually complex and sensitive set of circumstances.

Some of the serious issues which led the Pope to issue a specific letter to China include: the lack of normal diplomatic relations between China and the Vatican’s Holy See; the involvement of the Government in the internal affairs of the Church; the tensions and divisions within the Church, due in large part to the existence of a "Patriotic Church" established and sustained by the Government, which does not recognize the ultimate authority of the Pope, particularly in regards to the appointment of bishops; the status of the Chinese Bishops Conference; and the ongoing violations of freedom for Chinese Catholics who have remained in complete fidelity to Rome at the price of great personal suffering, persecutions, fines, imprisonment, and in some cases, torture and death.

The Holy Father, while offering profound spiritual insights and exhortations about the supernatural faith and hope that must sustain a Church under persecution, also puts forth some specific directives for Chinese shepherds and their flocks which, without some understanding of the complex situation of the Chinese Church, may be difficult to understand. He has defended the right of religious freedom for Chinese Catholics and has called for fidelity to the Bishop of Rome for all Catholics, but has given permission for the faithful to receive the sacraments at Government-associated Patriotic, or "Open," churches when grave inconvenience prevents access to a local church under a bishop approved by Rome. He has delegated to the bishops great pastoral latitude in seeking to address the complex spiritual and pastoral problems that come from a divided, largely uncatechized Church, whose clergy and religious oftentimes lack proper theological and spiritual formation (due in greater part, once again, to the intervention of the state). At the same time he has declared the Chinese Bishops Conference to be invalid, because of the prevailing influence of Patriotic bishops and the absence of any participation from most underground bishops.

How should the inspired teachings of Pope Benedict be properly understood and applied amidst bewildering divisions and ongoing persecutions experienced daily by the Church in China?

http://www.motherofallpeoples.com/content/view/1173/86

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- Heaven Speaks to Those who Experience Tragedy by "Anne," a Lay Apostle

Anne, a visionary from Ireland, has received permission from her local ordinary, Bishop Leo O'Reilly, for the distribution of messages which she receives from Jesus, God the Father, Our Blessed Mother, the angels and saints (see article, "Discernment of Lay Apostolate of Jesus Christ the Returning King," Marian Private Revelation section). – Ed.

December 12, 2006

Jesus

Life on earth is filled with change. If you look back on any life, you can see marking points where that life changed. Sometimes change comes in a predictable and expected manner, as in the movement into a vocation for which a person prepared. Sometimes, change comes in an abrupt manner, as in situations where a person is injured or dies unexpectedly. It is this, the change viewed as a tragedy, that I wish to discuss today. My friend, there are events in every life that stand out as difficult and life-altering. This tragedy, this abrupt change of course, will stand out to you, I know. When you feel a sense of shock, a sense of stunning upset in your life, you must look for Me. I am there. I do not remain with My children, day after day, and then abandon them when they most need my support. Your grief is understandable and I will support you in it. You will not always understand why I allowed a certain thing to happen. In your expected inability to understand, you will challenge Me. You will say, "God, how could You have allowed this? God, where are You? God why have You abandoned us?"

My friends, bring those questions directly to Me because I, Myself, am the most sympathetic listener when it comes to these heartfelt cries of anguish. You see, I cried these cries Myself. In My humanity, on the cross, I felt abandoned. In My humanity, on the cross, I questioned the value of God’s plan. From My viewpoint, nailed to a piece of wood and raised aloft as a subject of total rejection and derision, it appeared that I suffered more than anyone. It appeared that none could know the extent of My pain. My beloved child, I tell you this so that you will understand that I, your Savior, grasp the depth of your pain. I will walk you through each moment of anguish, surrounding you with heaven’s graces. No. You will not be left to walk alone through this tragedy.

http://www.motherofallpeoples.com/content/view/1172/82

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- The Mariology of St. Edith Stein by Freda Mary Oben, Ph.D.