I have received a few more voicemails…
Remember, I don’t call back, but I listen to it.
- Matt of the Navy, a husband and father, left a very supportive voice mail and feed back. He is scared about the future. So am I, but we have Christ’s promises and grace to sustain us in the difficult choices we make.
- David from TX, about SCOTUS: Sorry, I didn’t understand the question.
- AW, secular Carmelite, wants the Leonine prayers after all Masses, in both the Ordinary and Extraordinary forms. She is writing to priests and bishops. Good for you! I agree.
- [NEW] L in Sonoma complains that the registration process for the combox of this blog includes a password requirement which is over the top. Sorry, L, but I have to have it this way in order to protect the blog from evil weirdos. I can, occasionally, rarely, help with a manual registration if people have trouble.
And I had another from John in Philly, which I may deal with in a separate post.
Concerning the Leonine Prayers, yes! Let’s have them back! I think we should reintroduce them after Mass. They take only a minute or two and they are mighty weapons in our spiritual armory. Yes, we are the Church Militant, and we should start behaving like it!
The so-called “Leonine Prayers” are not obligatory. I don’t think they are obligatory even after Low Mass in the Extraordinary Form (watch below for the “But Father! But Father! You’re wrong!” crowd to chime in). Nevertheless, I also think we need these prayers today.
Furthermore, the reintroduction of the Leonine Prayers might help in places where people instantly start to yak it up in church after the last blessing and dismissal. Let the recessional wait… or just get rid of it once in a while. How about some silence? But that’s another icthyian cauldron.
The Leonine Prayers came eventually to be associated with the conversion of Russia, but they were originally developed, over time and in stages, to help combat secular oppression of the Church.
I don’t see that Russia benefiting the world these days and no reasonable person can think that there are few attacks on the Church, or on Christians. If nothing else, we should get down on our knees and pray for Christians being murdered and martyred by Islamic terrorists.
In these USA, I would like to see the American Bishops promote the Leonine Prayers during this time when true marriage is under attack. Since the SCOTUS decision Obergefell v. Hodges has changed the laws of the lands, many enemies of the laws of nature and of nature’s God are going to try to force Catholics to violate their consciences. Secularists and their liberal catholic bed-partners will work relentlessly to drive faithful Catholic voices from the public square.
Think about it:
O God, our refuge and our strength, look down with mercy upon the people who cry to Thee; and by the intercession of the glorious and immaculate Virgin Mary, Mother of God, of Saint Joseph her spouse, of the blessed Apostles Peter and Paul, and of all the saints, in Thy mercy and goodness hear our prayers for the conversion of sinners, and for the liberty and exaltation of Holy Mother Church.
There are some variations of translations, but … I ask you: Is that not a great and appropriate prayer for the challenges we are facing right now?
So, let’s pray the Leonine Prayers, on our own, if we have too. And I also suggest adding to them, as I do after every Mass, a Memorare for our bishops. I have a short list of bishops I pray for after every Mass, though you could offer it for all our bishops.
Let’s have a poll… anyone can vote.
Choose your best answer. The combox is open for those who are registered and approved.
Wanna leave me voice mail? You have three options:
WDTPRS
020 8133 4535
651-447-6265
Since I pay a fee for the two phone numbers, USA and UK, I am glad when they get some use. I have occasionally thought about how to integrate the audio into posts, when there are good questions or comments, but I haven’t gotten around to it yet.
TIPS for leaving voice mail.
- Don’t shout. If you shout, your voice will be distorted and I won’t be able to understand you.
- Don’t whisper. C’mon. If you have to whisper, maybe you should be calling the police, instead.
- Come to your point right away. That helps.
