Friday, October 11, 2013

Consecration of "the World" this Weekend


This Sunday our Holy Father Pope Francis will consecrate the world to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Of course, there are no plans to mention Russia specifically, and the bishops of the world have not been asked to participate. It looks as if our current pontiff will be continuing in the trajectory set by previous pontiffs of performing generic world consecrations that do not fulfill Our Lady's request at Fatima.

This is a profoundly disappointing development, especially since with Francis' current popularity, such a consecration of Russia specifically, and in union with the bishops, would most likely be well received by the faithful and the hierarchy, the former of whom have expressed on more than one occasion their willingness to participate in a consecration of Russia when and if the Holy Father should wish to do it.

And what is the point of a consecration of "the world"? To consecrate something means to set it apart, dedicated to the service of God. Now, "the world" is really everything. How can you set apart everything? What is it being set apart from? Perhaps I am being a little simplistic here, and I will willingly receive correction on this point, but to consecrate the whole world seems like playing a game where everybody wins. And if everybody wins, then nobody does; if everything is consecrated, is anything consecrated? And if the entire planet is to be consecrated, why the necessity of repeating this consecration again and again over the past sixty years? Each subsequent consecration suggests and imperfection in the previous one; unless we take the position that consecrations periodically need to be renewed.

Who knows. The consistent failure of the last several popes to consecrate Russia to the Immaculate Heart is one of the most disappointing aspects of modern Catholicism, and it does not look like it is going to happen anytime soon, although our Lady did state that it would finally happen, but "late." I am not one of those people who attributes every single ill in the world and the Church to the failure of the popes to consecrate Russia, but the way things are going, it is very difficult to not see a correlation between the darkness the Church suffers through and the ongoing failure to make the consecration.

On a positive note, I do know through several reliable sources that Fr. Gruner is in the Vatican this week, and that allegedly he will be meeting with Pope Francis prior to the consecration. It is known that Pope Francis, as Cardinal Bergoglio, had written to Fr. Gruner in the past. I do not know the nature of their meeting this week, but I pray it will be fruitful.

These are very strange times, my friends.

17 comments:

Ivan said...

1) The formal request for the consecration of Russia came in 1929. Our Lord complained just two years later, that His Ministers would pay the price for the delay in not doing it.

2) Pius XII consecrated Russia by name in 1952 without the Bishops. Our Lady promised that the Holy Father would make the consecration, but it would be late and with no mention of the Bishops. Our Lady also promised a "certain" period of peace as a result.

If our Lord complained that the consecration was "delayed" after two years, wouldn't it be considered "late" in 1952? Do you really think God is still waiting for the consecration of Russia, mentioned in the second part of the Fatima Secret, that deals primarily with material chastisements?

What about the other request made by Our Lady at Fatima? "God wishes to establish devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary throughout the world?" Wouldn't it make more sense for the Pope to get the Catholics of the world praying the Rosary daily, wearing the Brown Scapular and attending First Saturday devotions in reparation to the Immaculate Heart of Mary? Doesn't this seem to be THE answer for the spiritual crisis we find ourselves in today?

Anonymous said...

I think you'r right this is an entrustment not a real consecration.

Boniface said...

Steve,

What about the other request made by Our Lady at Fatima? "God wishes to establish devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary throughout the world?" Wouldn't it make more sense for the Pope to get the Catholics of the world praying the Rosary daily, wearing the Brown Scapular and attending First Saturday devotions in reparation to the Immaculate Heart of Mary? Doesn't this seem to be THE answer for the spiritual crisis we find ourselves in today?

Yes. I agree, and I said in the article, that simply doing the consecration will not solve all our problems. But I do not think it has been done. As late as 1985, Lucia said it had still not been done.

Ivan said...

The consecration of Russia was supposed to keep WWII, the Holocaust and the Gulag from taking place, replaced by a period of world peace, hence the insistence from Our Lord to act quickly. That is why the Secret mentions "a worse war" in the same sentence with Pius XI, because it happened due to his inaction. As far as Sister Lucy circa 1985 is concerned, it wouldn't be too much of a trick to manipulate a cloistered nun.

K said...

Methinkis Steve forgets that a lot of grace is needed to "get the Catholics of the world praying the Rosary daily, wearing the Brown Scapular and attending First Saturday devotions in reparation to the Immaculate Heart of Mary".

Marco da Vinha said...

I think talks about the consecration of Russia are only heard about in trad circles. Here in Portugal the only time I ever hear about it is from trads as well, specifically those trads who are formed by american or french traditionalism.

Also, from what I heard from Sr. LĂșcia's english translator (an acquaintance of mine; I live in the city where Sr.Lucia was in Carmel), she acknowledged that the Consecration of Russia had indeed taken place.

Boniface said...

Mark,

In the United States, there are two types of Catholics - those who don't know anything about Fatima, and those who do and don't believe the consecration has been done. Those who both believe in Fatima and also believe the consecration has been done are a very small minority. So in the United States, this is not a Trad thing. I don't really know anybody who thinks the Consecration of Russia has been done.

Anonymous said...

I'm kind of confused with the issue of Russia's Consecration. looking at the evidence, it seems quite clear that Our Lady's desires concerning Russia's has not been fulfilled. On the other hand, I saw a video where, if I remember correctly JPII made one of his world consecrations and it shows Lucia nodding her head as if in approval. I cannot believe That Lucia would falter in her convictions, but I refuse to believe the conspiracy nonsense that she was actually killed and then replaced by a phony. If Lucia believed the consecration had not happenned why did she nod at JPII's consecration?

As far as consecrating the world is concerned, all things were made by God, for God. In one of the prayers before the Hosanna the priest mentions that God has made of us "a chosen race, a people set apart," i.e. the Church. Obviously, not everyone is a member of the Church, but all men are called to salvation-to be incorporated into the Mystical Body of Christ and recieve His salvation. The Pope can indeed consecrate or "set apart" the world in order to emphasise that all things must be used for God's glory, directly or indirectly.

The problem lies simply in the fact that this kind of consecration is not what Our Lady requested at Fatima.

The Church Hierarchy is making a mistake similar to that of King Saul did when he sacrificed the animals of the people he defeated, when Samuel specifically told him by God's command that EVERYTHING was to be destroyed. For Heaven's sake give God what he wants!

"I desire obedience not sacrifice!"

Anonymous said...

Well, another partial-consecration: no worldwide bishops participating, and no mention of Russia (I haven't seen the official text). Personally, I think that the consecration of Pius XII is all we are going to get in relation to Russia. Our Lady said "he" the Pope will do it, but it will be late. She does not mention the bishops participating in a consecration of Russia.

We have seen the fruits of Pius XII's consecration: in the end of communism in Russia, and in the rise of Putin, who courageously fights against homosexualism and Judaism. Who knows? Is Putin the predicted "Great Monarch" who will lead the world to a new Catholic era? We will see.

--Chris

brwno said...

What about Rick Salbato (http://www.unitypublishing.com)? He makes a strong case for the 1984 consacration (http://www.unitypublishing.com/Apparitions/1984%20Consecration.htm). He also demolishes the reputation of Father Gruner.

Anonymous said...

In 1952, the Virgin Mary Herself said to Sister Lucy: “Make it known to the Holy Father that I am ALWAYS awaiting the Consecration of Russia to My Immaculate Heart. Without the Consecration of Russia, Russia will not be able to convert nor will the world have peace.”

In 1947, the eminent Catholic historian William Thomas Walsh recounted in his definitive history of Fatima, Our Lady of Fatima, that “Lucy made it plain that Our Lady did not ask for the consecration of the world to Her Immaculate Heart. What She demanded specifically was the consecration of Russia.” He noted:

“Sister Lucy said more than once, and with deliberate emphasis: ‘What Our Lady wants is that the Pope and all the bishops in the world shall consecrate Russia to Her Immaculate Heart on one special day. If this is done She will convert Russia, and there will be peace. If it is not done, the errors of Russia will spread through every country in the world.’”

As reported by Father Thomas McGlynn in his book Vision of Fatima , in 1949 Sister Lucy corrected his misunderstanding of Our Lady’s request by insisting: “No, not the world, Russia, Russia.” It is striking that this obedient and submissive nun felt obliged to strongly correct a priest on this point.


It is never too late. But it will be very late, as She has promised the consecration will happen.

charles

jac said...

Many people forget that our Lady made a comparison of Russia's consecration to the consecration of the kingdom of France as it was asked by Jesus during the Paray-le-Monial apparitions in 1689. That consecration to the Sacred Heart of Jesus never was done as it was required but only when it was too late, by the king Louis XVI after he had been jailed. And then, accurately 100 years day-to-day after the request, the french Revolution burst out in 1789.
So it is important tha we must ponder what our Lady told Sr Lucy about the delaying of the consecration of Russia by the Pope:
"Make it known to My ministers, given that they follow the example of the King of France in delaying the execution of My command, they will follow him into misfortune. It is never too late to have recourse to Jesus and Mary".
We are close to the 100th anniversary of the 1917 apparitions in Fatima. What will happen if in 2017 the consecration of Russia still remains undone?
Will the reigning Pope at last do it when he will be in jail?
"It is never too late to have recourse..."
What if Louis XVI had complied to the consecration of France in 1988, for example? Probably the Revolution would never have happened...

Anonymous said...

If you hear anything about Fr. Gruner in Rome, I hope you would keep us in the loop. I can't imagine what is going through his mind these days. His devotion to Fatima is incredible.

charles

Anonymous said...

Here's an update on Fr. Gruner. He's told to stay away from the pope.

http://www.cfnews.org/page88/files/477a274fa3719f96ef3924ab8fa6bc3a-152.html

charles

Robert James McLeod said...

"The consistent failure of the last several popes to consecrate Russia to the Immaculate Heart is one of the most disappointing aspects of modern Catholicism..."

So... it's ok to second guess the Pope(s) on this spiritual matter because...you believe the request to be heavenly sent and the Pope(s) do not? The reigning Pope appears to be afraid of nothing and speaks his mind clearly. You really suggest that Pope Francis never received a single free issue of the "Fatima Crusader" or a direct letter from Fr. Grunner and is ignorant of the Marian request? That is laughable indeed! Heaven appears to be impotent over such a minor request.

Anonymous said...

So much to comment on - just from the comments!

some random comments:

Yeah, 2 years is "late," but 40 years in the desert is just about right, and a few millennia is only the "fullness of time."

Let's talk about the manipulation of a "cloistered nun" who has spoken with the Queen of Heaven. Who's gonna pull that one off?

Can we get Catholics to go to mass first? Then we can work on the Rosary, the First Saturdays (or Fridays!) and after that, let's see if we can get the Bishops lined up...um...behind the Holy Father. Should be a cinch - what do you think?

For Mark: about the only serious Catholicism, as far as I see, is coming from the traditionalist leaning folks. Trads try to adjust their lives to the church. Everyone else seems to try to adjust the church to their lives. Any disagreement on that statement?

Regarding Rick Salbato, he is ok in some areas, and very squishy in others. In condemning Fr. Gruner, he's right in line with the Catholic "establishment," don't you agree? And would you say that is a plus or...

He (Salbato) also seems to be of the opinion that if the legislature enacts a law, you are in mortal sin if you contravene it. 4th commandment and all. But now, beyond speed limits, we have obamacare, etc. (sigh)

And finally, to Zachaeus, is this private judgement? It is pretty clear that Our Lady has requested quite a number of things, and was firm about them. She was also quite clear that the popes would dither about, and delay, obfuscate, and simply lay down on the job until it is all but too late. And now, according to you, those few who see the results (and suffer from them, I might add), and are quite clear about the FACTS of Our Ladies requests, as well as the Facts of the failures of the popes to fulfill our ladies request, are now, decades later, merely second guessing the popes. Popes who were foretold by the Queen of Heaven that they would not perform in the exact way that they have not performed. You should get a blog right next to someone else who is 'Catholic and Lovin' It!" You both seem to interpret things the same way.


may God bless us, even those whom I have criticized. The next decade is gonna be rough, and we'll have to pull together.

Paul

Robert James McLeod said...

"FACTS" and "apparitions" is an oxymoron.