LEARNING FROM THE CLASSICS

As Cardinal Mercier said : "When prudence is everywhere, courage is nowhere." From Cardinal Sarah : "In order to avoid hearing God's music, we have chosen to use all the devices of this world. But heaven's instruments will not stop playing just because some people are deaf." Saint John-Paul II wrote: "The fact that one can die for the faith shows that other demands of the faith can also be met." Cardinal Müller says, “For the real danger to today’s humanity is the greenhouse gases of sin and the global warming of unbelief and the decay of morality when no one knows and teaches the difference between good and evil.” St Catherine of Siena said, “We've had enough exhortations to be silent. Cry out with a thousand tongues - I see the world is rotten because of silence.” Chesterton said, “The Christian ideal has not been tried and found wanting. It has been found difficult; and left untried.” Brethren, Wake up!

LEARNING FROM THE CLASSICS

Since our beloved and noble Order has as its immemorial charism to live the life of perfection in the world – in the world but not of it – we could do far worse than to take as inspiration this charming example of detachment from the new Prime Minister of the British realms, for those who have not seen it (courtesy of Fr Z HERE).

Much good may be gained in our spiritual life by standing back and seeing the world of our day (and the Church, and indeed our Order) within the context of a long history. Much anguish and annoyance may thereby be avoided.

One would like to think that there may be a few members of our Order who can follow, and compete. (It is perhaps worth pointing out that this video comes from Australia, the Melbourne Writers Festival, about which some Englishmen may be inclined to be snobbish!)

PRAYER OF THE ORDER OF MALTA

Lord Jesus, Thou hast seen fit to enlist me for Thy service among the Knights of St John of Jerusalem. I humbly entreat Thee through the intercession of the most holy Virgin of Philermo, of St John the Baptist, Blessed Gerard and all the Saints, to keep me faithful to the traditions of our Order. Be it mine to practise and defend the Catholic, the Apostolic, the Roman faith against the enemies of religion: be it mine to practise charity towards my neighbours, especially the poor and the sick; Give me the strength I need to carry out this my resolve, forgetful of myself, learning ever from Thy holy Gospel a spirit of deep and generous Christian devotion, striving ever to promote God’s glory, the world’s peace, and all that may benefit the Order of St John of Jerusalem. AMEN