Today is the feast of Maximillian Kolbe who was intimately involved in my pilgrimage to Akita in 2014. Funny enough today, 14 August, was referenced in his letters by our priest at mass. “It is obedience and obedience alone that shows us God’s will with certainty. Of course our superiors may err, but it cannot happen that we, holding fast to our obedience, should be led into error by this. There is only one exception: if the superior commands something that would obviously involve breaking God’s law, however slightly. In that case the superior could not be acting as a faithful interpreter of God’s will…He himself makes His holy will known to us through His vice-regents on Earth and draws us to Himself, and through us – for so He has willed – draws other souls too, and unites them to Himself with an ever more perfect love.” This may be taken as justification by many on this forum for opposition to Pope Francis but not by me and did not include that intention. The Blessed Mother in Garabandal emphasised obedience to the Church as essential to Salvation.
A Quote from St. Catherine of Siena “Even if the Pope were Satan incarnate, we ought not to raise up our heads against him, but calmly lie down to rest on his bosom. He who rebels against our Father is condemned to death, for that which we do to him we do to Christ: we honor Christ if we honor the Pope; we dishonor Christ if we dishonor the Pope. I know very well that many defend themselves by boasting: 'They are so corrupt, and work all manner of evil!' But God has commanded that, even if the priests, the pastors, and Christ-on-earth were incarnate devils, we be obedient and subject to them, not for their sakes, but for the sake of God, and out of obedience to Him.” St. Catherine of Siena, SCS, p. 201-202, p. 222, (quoted in Apostolic Digest, by Michael Malone, Book 5: “The Book of Obedience”, Chapter 1: “There is No Salvation Without Personal Submission to the Pope”).
I went to see the movie and honestly had I not heard they Hollywood hub bub about trying to stop the showing of this movie I wouldnt believe it. To me, there was nothing that held anyone specific responsible. I did enjoy the movie (as much as you can enjoy a movie of that topic). I did find myself praying a lot during the movie for those children that were trapped in the trade. It’s all very sad
After the Mass on EWTN, this month with the rosary after the Mass we have been praying this prayer for this intention every day. Here is the prayer if you would like to include it with your intentions in your rosary. Prayer to End Trafficking EN ESPAÑOL PRINT DOWNLOAD PDF Loving Father, We seek your divine protection for all who are exploited and enslaved. For those forced into labor, trafficked into sexual slavery, and denied freedom. We beseech you to release them from their chains. Grant them protection, safety, and empowerment. Restore their dignity and provide them a new beginning. Show us how we might end exploitation by addressing its causes. Help us reach out in support of victims and survivors of human trafficking. Make us instruments of your spirit for their liberation. For this we pray through our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen
