For two weeks in a row, now, our parish family has had to listen to a sermon on obedience. Particularly, the Rules of St. Ignatius Loyola. Two weeks ago, we had a lengthy sermon regarding the 10th rule, specifically how it is necessary for us to obey our superiors and not speak ill of them. This forum was mentioned by name. I came here, out of concern and good faith, to present this as information, so that people would understand that something is not quite right in the Society right now.
Last Sunday, we were greeted to another lengthy talk with father standing right in the aisle and a print out of these 18 rules. Every single word I mentioned in my previous post was addressed in this sermon. We were reminded that there is "no Jim Jones here" and that we can leave if we want to. We were chastised for being critical of decisions that are being made and we were downright demanded not to judge even our priest's behavior.
I left Mass with a heavy heart.
But later that evening I received information that really shocked and enraged me. It involved events that happened the week before, only part of which I was witness to.
I have mentioned before the long history of the small chapel that I attend. A few people have invested their whole lives into this chapel, hoping only to offer a place for traditional Catholics to be able to assist at Mass. All of these people are incredibly, amazing people. Although, I have only known them a short while, I know they only want what is best for the chapel and the parishioners. They have been through a lot, suffered a lot, struggled a lot, and prayed even more.
As such, when they saw there was a reasonable need for our parish, to change the time of the Mass, and they recognized that it wouldn't be a conflict for the priests who come to offer Masses, they asked. They waited for a response for a long time and were finally told no. But when some people heard why the answer was no, they become really concerned and hoped to bring attention to the matter.
The 4 pm. Mass could not be changed to a morning Mass because the priests were to soon take responsibility for chapel not managed by the SSPX but vacated by one of the priests who was present in Vienna, VA in early August. This chapel has been privately managed and comes attached to a nice summer camp for families.
Considering that, most of the long time members of our little chapel felt a little sting of treachery. So they decided to start a petition to request a change in the Mass time. After careful consideration, I signed this petition, not to create controversy, but because it seemed reasonable to me. Who doesn't want a morning Mass??
There is no way you could possibly imagine the outcome of that little petition. So as not to cause rumors to be spread or to be guilty of detraction, I will only say publicly that this priest became hostile and violent. Some of these events I personally witnessed, others I was shocked to learn.
This priest declared that we did not have permission to pass around a petition. That what was being done was not only disrespectful but disobedient. Some people involved were basically thrown out and asked not to return until they could offer a formal apology.
Personally, I had hoped not to get involved and ordinarily I wouldn't have, but I was dragged into this, entirely. I am being spied on. I fear that because I have come to this forum to state, matter of factly my concerns and opinions, that I will be discovered and denied Holy Communion.
My exact words, words that I have posted here, have been repeated in sermons. It was suggested that "whoever has a problem should see me after Mass." This I would not do.
So I am going to repeat this again. This is creepy and cultish.
To tell a entire chapel that they cannot use the internet to find information is wrong. To tell people they shouldn't worry about whatever crisis is in the Society is wrong. To tell us that we must obey without question is wrong. To force people out of chapels because they passed a petition around is wrong. To deny people Holy Communion because they question what is happening with their priests and within the Society is more than wrong. And to stand up and tell us we are uncharitable or not "real" Catholics is an outright lie.
And so not to give the impression that I am bitter or ungrateful for this experience, I am not. I am grateful to Our Lord for allowing this all to happen. He has willed this to happen in my chapel at this time. It has opened my eyes to what I could not see.
There are many, many problems within the Society. I don't pretend to know what they are or even how to fix them. What I do know, is that faithful Catholics do not need to or wish to be exposed to this kind of behavior from their priests. They wish only to come to Mass, receive the Sacraments, receive good counsel, and hear a sermon that aids in their spiritual survival in this modernistic world. That is certainly all I ever wanted to do.
But to KNOW that a priest, who seems to be incredibly busy with running so many things, has time to troll around forums to see who is talking about him or is concerned about how he manages the affairs of his chapel is absolute insanity.
I don't know if this happens at all chapels but it is happening at mine. IF you are thinking of coming here---DON'T! Find another place to go to Mass. This place is embroiled in chaos! Our Lord has allowed them to be exposed!
Let those who can see, see and those who can hear, hear.
Farewell and Persevere!
Holy Guardian Angels, Protect Us!