Patriarchal Allocution - Nativity of the Blessed Virgin 2020

FIRENZE-NUOVA ROMA 8 September 2020 (ORCNS) -- The Archfather d. Rutherford I gave his annual allocution on the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. His Holy Eminence addressed topics including political discord and the importance of Christ above all nations. The video of the allocution is below, followed by the transcript. 

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Da Firenze-Nuova Roma ai Cristifedeli di tutto il mondo, ed ai membri della Corte di Santa Maria di Walsingham, grazia, pace, e la nostra benedizione Apostolica in questa festa gioiosa della Natività della Beata Vergine Maria. This day we celebrate the birth of the New Eve by whose obedience Christ was able to be born into the world for the salvation of mankind. Our Lady was immaculately conceived, yet had free will and was under no obligation to become the Mother of God. Yet when the angel appeared to her, she said: Behold the handmaid of the Lord, be it done unto me according to thy will – and she accepted the overshadowing of the Holy Spirit. We, each of us, likewise have a choice. We can accept God, or we can reject Him. Indeed, this is a choice we must make constantly throughout our lives in all that we do. It is easy to fall away from the faith under the influences of the world, and so we must pray for conversion on a regular basis and seek the help and intervention of the Blessed Virgin. Remember the benefits to mankind from the obedience of Our Lady whose birth we joyfully celebrate this day. The decisions we face in life, though, are rarely easy, but they are simple at their core. Questions are not black and white, but right and wrong, by which is meant “of God” and “not of God.”

In the 2000 years since the Incarnation of Christ, Our Lord seems not to have penetrated the hearts of mankind, for the world seeks constantly to abandon the ways of Christ and instead seeks other ends. When God comes to people, instead of following the example of Our Lady, far too often the invitation is rejected.

Carissimi, è necessario cercare nostro Signore, cercare Cristo in tutto per sempre. Se non lo cerchiamo, certo perderemo la nostra via; perderemo la via corretta di Dio. Dobbiamo sapere e capire che quella via, la via di Dio, è veramente l’unica via. We must search for our Lord, search for Christ in everything always. If we do not search for Him, we will certainly lose our way; we will lose the right path of God. We must know and understand that that way, the way of God, is the only way. Forse pensate che non sia facile, ma abbiamo la sacra liturgia ed i sacramenti della Santa Chiesa, la sposa di Cristo, per aiutarci. Perhaps you think it is not easy, but we have the sacred liturgy and the sacraments of the Holy Church, the bride of Christ, to help us. 

Today in the world there is much political upheaval and discord. This is nothing new in history. Mankind, being naturally oriented towards religion, will find something new if religion itself is abandoned. This we see in many countries today. For example, Europe is abandoning its sacred heritage, and the identity politics seen in the United States have largely replaced mainstream Protestantism that was so common, and thus is ultimately the same religion in a new package – only without God except for occasionally some warped version of God that somehow favours only one political party or viewpoint. We must caution, therefore, the Christian faithful not to make political decisions, including one’s own vote, according to political or other identity, but according only to the laws of God and the precepts of his Holy Church. Similarly, we must caution against too much identity with political parties and organisations at all, for they all too easily can insidiously replace one’s identity as a Christian or cause one’s Christian faith to be warped to fit the whims of politics. More than that, too much identification with political parties and even with national identity under the guise of patriotism, can tear away at one’s soul, pitting people against each other, breeding division where there should be unity in Christ.

Pues Dios no dice que una nación es mejor de todos los otros países. Pensais que la frontera sea una división májica o sagrada, y la gente aquí sea buena, pero la gente allá sea mal? Dijimos que no. De ningúna manera. Todos son hermanos en Cristo, pero los países vienen y se van. Solo la iglesia de Cristo es por siempre y para siempre. God does not say that one nation is better than all other countries. Do you think that the border is a magical or sacred division, and the people here are good, but the people there are bad? We say absolutely not. All are brothers and sisters in Christ, but the nations, they come and go. Only the Church of Christ is of all time and remains forever. Indeed, just as socialism and communism are opposed to and incompatible with the Christian faith, so too is nationalism. Our loyalty must first and foremost always be to God. If we are with God, He will be with us, and then who can stand against us? 

Now, prepare yourselves to receive God’s blessing.

Et benedictio Dei omnipotentis, + Patris, et + Filii, et Spiritus + Sancti descendat super vos et maneat semper. R. Amen.

Social Justice, Right to Life - Archfather gives Corpus Christi Allocution

Jean DuBois

PATRIARCHAL SEE 10 June 2020 (ORCNS) - The Archfather gave his annual Corpus Christi Allocution today. His Holy Eminence spoke of issues of social justice and the right to life, referring to the Holy Church as the original and only truly authentic instrument of social justice today. The Archfather gives five regular allocutions, or formal speeches, each year on Easter, Corpus Christi, the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin, Christmas, and Ash Wednesday, as well as others as situations warrant. They are always addressed by tradition "From the Florentine Household to the Christian Faithful around the world, and to the members of the Court of St. Mary of Walsingham." The video and transcript of the allocution are below.

TRANSCRIPT

FROM the Florentine household to the Christian faithful around the world, and the members of the Court of St. Mary of Walsingham, grace, peace, and Our Apostolic Blessing on this wonderful Feast of Corpus Christi in the year of our Lord 2020. This day in the liturgical calendar finds the world descended further into chaos and turmoil and division and upheaval. But any student of history will know that this is not unusual, this is not new, this is quite common, and perhaps is even the standard state of things in the world. Today we hear so often talked about this concept of social justice, and it is indeed a fine thing to seek justice authentic justice for all. Yet this term is so often misused and abused by individuals and organisations for political and other agendas. In fact, that abuse is often such that it harms the very people that they claim to be trying to help. And thus we submit that the only authentic and indeed the original institution of social justice is the Church of Christ.

That social justice of the church is rooted in the church’s social doctrine, which derives from moral theology. Christ came into the world, performed miracles, taught the truth, suffered, was crucified, buried, descended into hell, rose from the dead, walked the earth as the risen Lord, and then gloriously ascended into heaven not for one group of people, but for all people and all time. It is for this reason that the church is the only authentic institution of social justice in the world. All that we do indeed flows from the altar of God, whereupon takes place that same true and living Sacrifice.

And so today in the world when people talk of justice and equality, such conversations are ultimately fruitless and meaningless without a respect for life. Indeed the world today has abandoned as a whole its respect for life. No person, no organisation, no nation has any right to demand justice for any individual or group of people if it does not first respect life. No nation, no people may demand justice while the curse of abortion continues to exist. We cannot talk about the rights of man when we have the wholesale slaughter of millions of people around the world each year in the form of abortion.

The right to life is the most fundamental and foundational right that exists. When we talk about other rights, they assume one thing – and that is that you are alive to exercise that right. And therefore again the right to life is the most fundamental right on earth that we can discuss. So until that becomes the centre of the argument, of the debate, the centre of the discussion, everything else is meaningless and can not exist in any authentic way leading to a true solution. This is what the Church of Christ teaches, and this is the framework of authentic social justice that must take place in the world if we as Christians are to try to make the world a better place, as we should; if we are to try to help our fellow man, as we should; if we are to see those suffering and see them as our brothers, as we should. None of that can in fact take place or have any true meaning if it does not flow from the altar of God, if it is not centred on a foundation of a right to life. That is the first discussion that must be had today in society.

It is the Body of Christ that we celebrates this day in the liturgical calendar that unites humanity. It is the Body of Christ that leads to authentic social justice among mankind. Now, go into the world to build this respect for life among your fellow man so that we may try to help establish the kingdom of God here on earth.

And now prepare yourself for God's blessing.

Et benedictio Dei omnipotensis, Patris, + et Filii, + et Spiritus + Sancti, descendat super vos et maneat semper. R. Amen.

Patriarchal Allocution on Easter 2020 Speaks of Hope, Challenges, and Service

HHE Don Rutherford I 

PATRIARCHAL SEE 12 April 2020 (ORCNS) - HHE Don Rutherford I, Florentine Archfather and Cardinal Count of Sainte Animie gave his annual Easter Allocution today from the Résidence Sans-Souci Ouest. The Archfather’s message was one of hope, while acknowledging the serious challenges facing the Church, and especially the clear and present danger facing the poor and vulnerable around the world as a result of government response to the current pandemic. His Holy Eminence also gave his sincerest thanks to the clergy and lay leadership of the Imperial Patriarchate for all that they do in service to others. Among the acknowledgments were the Walsingham Guard and Naval Guard for being among the first to respond to the needs of communities during the pandemic. The Easter Allocution is one of five Patriarchal Allocutions given at specific times during the year by the Archfather. The allocution ended with an apostolic blessing. The video and complete transcript of the allocution are provided below. 

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FROM the Florentine household to the Christian faithful around the world, grace, peace, and Our Apostolic blessing on this glorious Resurrection Sunday in the year of our Lord 2020. This year our Holy Week celebrations, as well as the start of the Easter season find the world in a state of confusion. The recent pandemic and the government responses to that pandemic have caused much panic, much confusion, much upheaval and turmoil. Indeed the government responses to the pandemic in many countries around the world have put hundreds of millions of people, particularly the poor and the vulnerable, at severe risk – especially those who are at severe risk for starvation. As we began our Paschaltide season, we must not allow ourselves to forget the condition of those who are the most poor and vulnerable as the governments take the steps that they take. Likewise we must not forget those who are suffering from health problems, whether it is the COVID-19 or any of the many other ailments, illnesses, and contagious diseases with which humanity must cope.

Fortunately there is much to celebrate, not the least of which is the Resurrection of Christ. On Good Friday, we experienced the death of the earthly body of our Lord. Then He went down into hell to bring the good news to those who were waiting. And on this day, on this day the tomb was empty. Our Lord conquered death. He conquered the grave in fulfillment of the promise, in fulfillment of the prophecy, that we may all have the hope of everlasting life.

And so as we sit in a world of confusion, a world of illness, a world in which so many people are forgotten by the very people in power who are supposed to take care of them and to care for their condition, we nevertheless know that the final and eternal victory is ours. It is indeed a fallen world, and though we are in it, we are not of it. The kingdom that we serve is of course ultimately not of this world. It is the kingdom of Christ, which has no end. Indeed we know that there are so many more important things to deal with than the concerns of this life. We should concern ourselves primarily with the Kingdom of Heaven, and while we are in this life, we should do what we can and do what we must to establish that kingdom here on earth.

Our Lord, as we celebrate each Holy Thursday, instituted the Sacrament of the Eucharist that we may join ourselves with His Holy Sacrifice and thereby work towards the hope of eternal salvation. On Pentecost, which is to come, we will again, as we do each year, celebrate the descent of the Holy Ghost that was promised by Christ, that we may not be alone. And it was at that time that the Apostles, just as they were ordained priests at the Last Supper, were ordained what came to be known as bishops.

It is to Christ’s Holy Church that the authority was given and exists still to this day to administer the Kingdom of God here on earth. Nothing on earth stands above Holy Mother Church, and nothing ultimately has authority over it. It has been, since the institution of Christ's Holy Church, an unfortunate feature of life on Earth that the civil authorities and civil organisations often act contrary to the will of the Church and to the will of God, standing indeed against Christ’s Holy Church, the very Bride of Christ, and standing against the Bishops, the very successors of the Apostles. Yet, we must remain firm against this. We cannot give in. We must not. It is our duty to put God and His Holy Church above all else. Again, as we know from this Sunday, this Resurrection Sunday, as we are reminded each year on Resurrection Sunday, the final victory is ours.

Now, I would also like to point out that the Imperial Patriarchate is continuing to experience a growth in vocations. And, during this time of global pandemic our various institutions, particularly the Walsingham Guard and Naval Guard, are highly involved in health and humanitarian service. In fact, the Walsingham Guard was among the first to respond to the needs of local communities, as well as providing high-level policy work. It is through the tireless efforts of our clergy and of the members of our humanitarian and other organisations that the Imperial Patriarchate helps to make the world a better place, in the example of Christ, flowing from the altar of God, indeed, helping to establish the Kingdom of God here on earth. And as churches have found themselves persecuted in this time of confusion by the civil governments in their responses to the pandemic, as they find their rights and their authority usurped, and they have changed their model, the model of the Imperial Patriarchate, Anglican Rite Roman Catholic Church has shown itself resilient. Indeed, with our mission-based approach, the Imperial Patriarchate, Anglican Rite Roman Catholic Church has led the way, with our approaches being emulated from everyone from the Pope in the Basilica of St. Peter to many parishes around the globe. You, the clergy of the Anglican Rite Roman Catholic Church, the clergy of this See, should be proud of yourselves, and I thank you very much for your service over the years, as I also thank the members of the Walsingham Guard and Naval Guard, the Noble Company St. Mary of Walsingham, and our other organisations and apostolates for all the service that they give, for all the time that they spend in selfless service to others.

And now prepare yourselves to receive God's blessing.

Et benedictio Dei omnipotensis, Patris, + et Filii, + et Spiritus + Sancti, descendat super vos et maneat semper. R. Amen.

Ash Wednesday Patriarchal Allocution

PATRIARCHAL SEE 26 February 2020 (ORCNS) - HHE Archfather Don Rutherford gave the following Patriarchal Allocution on Ash Wednesday for the beginning of Lent. 

FROM the Florentine Household to the Christian faithful around the world and to the members of the Court of St. Mary of Walsingham, grace, peace, and Our Apostolic Blessing on this Ash Wednesday, the start of Lent in the year of our Lord 2020. First, let us turn our thoughts to those who are suffering from or af-fected in any way by the coronavirus, including those who have suf-fered significant travel disruptions. Similarly, let us turn our thoughts to those who suffer from any type of affliction or problem of health around the world.

As we begin our Lenten journey, we are reminded that this is a time of penance and preparation. We travel forward in the footsteps of our Lord towards the glory of the Resurrection that we experience on Easter Sunday. During this time of penance and preparation, it is all too tempting to focus on so-called acts of penance that are really quite empty because they are merely done for show. Such acts are of no avail, for they betray spiritual emptiness inside. Rather, we should focus on meaningful self-denial, such as acts of self-denial. These can take many forms, including small acts of charity, such as giving of one's time to help others.

During this Lenten season we should also reflect on the political discord that is plaguing so many areas of the world today. Far too often, people use their political differences as reasons to divide. Peo-ple place their political opinions often above more important matters, and the government leaders far too often are focused on political agendas rather than coming together, finding common ground and working towards the common good. On an international basis, we should seek a focus towards a community of nations – that is, each nation being a good citizen in the world. That is preferable to ex-treme nationalism, for nationalism places the interests only of one nation above that of the people of all nations.

Ahora, en memoria de nuestra sucesión de las casa españolas de Ivrea y Barcelona en Italia Imperial, quiero decir un saludo cordial y dar mi bendición Apostolica a los cristianos en las tierras hispanohab-lantes.

Anche, ricordando il nostro dovere come Custode della Sede Ap-ostolica di San Marco ad Aquileia, ed in onore di Nuova Roma, la nostra città di Firenze, imparto la mia benedizione Apostolica agli italiani in tutto il mondo.

And now, may Almighty God bless each of you as you go for-ward in faith in your Lenten journey.

Patriarchal Allocution - Christmas 2019

PATRIARCHAL SEE 25 December 2019 (ORCNS) - HIRH Don Rutherford I, Florentine Archfather gave the annual Patriarchal Allocution on the Feast of the Nativity of Our Lord. The address centred on topics of evangalisation and tradition. It also included special greetings to the people of Italy and the Spanish-speaking lands.

Text of the Allocution: 

From the Florentine Household to the world and to the members of the Court of St. Mary of Walsingham, grace, peace, and our apostolic blessing on this glorious Feast of the Nativity of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ in the year of our Lord 2019. This is the day in which we celebrate, of course, the coming of Christ as the light of the world. Yet, today, we in Christendom face a situation that is not unlike that of the early church. We find the ways of darkness attempting to snuff out the light of Christ in any way possible. Indeed it is true that we are no longer in the time of the Christianised world, for although it may be the case that the majority of the world’s population identifies in some way as Christian, the true inner belief and outer practice of the faith have been greatly diminished. Ironically, in an era of tolerance being proclaimed, we Christians, particularly those of the traditional Catholic faith, find ourselves a persecuted minority. Even brother often fights brother. 

Some say that Christendom is dead, but with that I cannot agree. Truly Christendom is now like a small candle in a vast abyss of darkness. Yet, even the faintest candle provides light in the dark. Darkness is nothing but the absence of light. It cannot by itself extinguish a light. We must, therefore, look to that light of Christ, no matter how small the flame on earth may be, and seek to fuel it, that it may continue to grow and reflect the incomprehensible strength and brilliance of the light of Christ in heaven gloriously reigning. 

In this time of challenges, we need not seek a new evangelisation, but rather a renewed sense of that very same commission of evangelisation that was given to us by our Lord Himself. This is not a new charge, but the very charge that has always existed for the Christian people. We do not need to remove tradition, for to do so would be to break with that very continuity that links the Christian people of today with the Christian people of every other time period, all the way back to the time when Christ walked the earth as a man – indeed, the very Incarnation that we celebrate today. The faith of Christ is unchanging and knows neither time nor space. We cannot modify our faith and practice to suit the ever-changing whims of the world, for to do so would be to abandon the faith altogether. The clergy and especially the bishops are bound by sacred duty to maintain the true faith, doctrine, and traditions. 

To energise the Christian faithful and to reach new people with the message of love and peace that is Christ, therefore, we must not in any way bend the message of Christ to fit the ways that are purely of the world. That approach has become quite common, and it is disconcerting. What is being preached in such cases, then, is not the faith of Christ, but a faith in mankind alone. What is needed is the framework of the traditions of the church. Those traditions provide the foundation upon which the immutable and eternal truths of the Christian faith stand in the world. Indeed, those traditions, ever-rooted in the very faith that they protect and sustain, exist to stand as a fortified wall against the enemies of the faith. They cannot be destroyed from without, but they can be eroded from within. Once the smoke of Satan enters, it then becomes all too easy to erode the faith. 

Ed ora, ad i nostri carissimi d'Italia, il vero cuore del patrimonio del Patriarcato Imperiale, Noi impariamo la Nostra benedizione speciale. Questo Natale, siamo premuroso soprattutto dei luoghi santi del Nostro patrimonio in Italia, specialmente a Firenze, Roma, ed Aquileia. Possa Dio Onnipotente conferire le Sue benedizioni al popolo d'Italia nel prossimo anno e per sempre. 

También damos un saludo especial y una bendición a Nuestros más queridos en las tierras hispanohablantes. Es a través de la obra de los de herencia española que la luz de Cristo se extendió a gran parte del mundo. De hecho, estamos muy orgulloso de ser el heredero en la Italia Imperial de dos grandes casas españolas. Que Dios Omnipotent os conceda Sus bendiciones a cada uno de vosotros en el año proximo y por siempre. 

Returning to the notion of tradition, We then call to mind the rich and incredibly diverse ancient patrimony that the modern Imperial Patriarchate is called upon by its sacred duty to live, maintain, and perpetuate in the modern world. As ecclesiastical successors to the temporal patrimony of Pope Leo X, the city of Florence, our titular seat in the Church of St. Stephen al Ponte in Florence, and our titular residence in Rome that once were the apartments of Leo are of particular importance and are quite dear to Us. Similarly, the ancient and the sovereign Patriarchate of Aquileia not only is within Our patrimony, but is also the source of many of our traditions and customs. 

Brethren in Christ, we are called to perpetuate the traditions of Christ and His Holy Church in the world, even in this modern period. We must do so courageously, honourably, and without apology, always remembering that all that we do in the world must be rooted in the faith of Christ and flow from the Sacrifice upon the altar. 

Now, We impart our apostolic blessing on each of you that you may have a joyous Christmas season and a beneficial and productive new year, ever growing in the faith of Christ.

Patriarchal Allocution on the Feast of Corpus Christi -- AD 2019

PATRIARCHAL SEE 20 June 2019 (ORCNS) -- The following is the text of the Patriarchal Allocution given by the Don Rutherford Cardinal Johnson, Anglo-Italian Imperial Patriarch on the Feast of Corpus Christi: 

From the Florentine household to the Christian faithful around the world and to the members of the Court of St. Mary of Walsingham, grace, peace, and our Apostolic Blessing on this Feast of Corpus Christi in the year of our Lord 2019. It is indeed one of the most joyous occasions in the liturgical year. It offers a chance look back and reflect on the Sacrifice of Christ on the Cross, for it is the fact that the Holy Mass is a true and living Sacrifice that we affirm, acknowledge, profess, and celebrate this day. Christ is with us always, and most of all in the Most Blessed Sacrament. Christ was incarnate, He suffered and died, rose again from the dead, and ascended into heaven. Without all of that, the faith would be meaningless, and they would be no hope in humanity. In the Sacrament we join ourselves to the Sacrifice of Christ on the cross and celebrate His glorious resurrection and ascension, that we may have the promise and hope of life everlasting. That is what is the inherent nature of the Most Blessed Sacrament. What a joyous gift it is! It is the ultimate symbol and true and living expression of love.

In the Imperial Patriarchate, we continue those traditions of the true Catholic faith that we have been entrusted to maintain. Our patrimony stretches back over 2000 years to Julius Caesar, and to Charlemagne, Bosone d’Arles, and Leo X. Our founding was made holy by Christ on the Cross, indeed by the very Body of our Lord. The brevity of human life and the vast length of the legacy of the Patriarchate is such that I can scarcely consider the Patriarchate to belong to me. Rather, I can only consider that I belong to it. I am its shepherd, nothing more.

If the patrimony of the Patriarchate has any merit in history or in the present period, then it is because of the faith and good works of its people. I am grateful to those who have continued to serve our ecclesiastical state so loyally and so long. And, I am impressed continually with the great achievements of our people.

Let us further pray for peace in the world – an elusive goal that we must nevertheless continue to make a priority, never giving up hope. To that end, let us further pray that the leaders of the temporal governments of the world may gain wisdom, acknowledging the true source of wisdom, and work together for the common good, using territorial nations as means to help people rather than mechanisms of division.

May Almighty God, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, bless each of you during this celebration of Corpus Christi, which underpins all that we as Christian faithful do.

Patriarchal Allocution - Christmas 2018

PATRIARCHAL SEE 25 December 2018 (ORCNS) - The following is the transcript of the allocution given by HIRH the Imperial Patriarch of St. Stephen, Christmas 2018. 

From the Florentine Household to the Christian faithful throughout the world and especially to the members of the Court of Saint Mary of Walsingham, grace, peace, and Our Apostolic Blessing on this joyous celebration of the two thousand eighteenth Feast of the Nativity of Our Lord. When Christ came into the world, He came to fulfill the Hebrew prophecies – yet He came for all mankind without regard to ethnic background or national origin. It is perhaps the one thing that knows no border, and as the national borders of the world change and move over time, membership in the Kingdom of God is something that unites all of the faithful around the world. It is indeed the greatest hope for mankind and at times the only thing that unite disparate peoples.

Remembering again the unity in the Corporate Body of Christ, We call again for unity among the Christian faithful of the world. That is often seen as an elusive goal, particularly given not only the political issues separating the faithful, but also the sincerely held religious beliefs. Yet, we must never abandon hope. Let Us call again upon that principal which We have invoked as the ecumenical motto of Our Patriarchate – Cooperation without Compromise. Can we as the Christian faithful truly find nothing on which to agree with those of other Christian jurisdictions and communities? Shall we truly allow the presence of disagreements – even at times significant ones – to prevent us from displaying Christian brotherhood and cooperation? If we will not seek what common ground we can find, how can we truly hope for unity? If we will not work with our brethren despite disagreements, how can we look to our Saviour and say that we have done all that we humanly can do from brotherhood? Furthermore, if we not only do not seek cooperation and brotherhood without compromise, but add to the flames of discontent by hurling petards of arrogant insults and hate, can we even truly call ourselves authentic practitioners of the Christian faith? That is not, of course, to say that we cannot and should not speak out against what is truly wrong and not merely wrong in our opinion, but rather that there are many words that are best kept to ourselves. If we truly believe others to be wrong, we will not so easily win them over by vitriol – even if we are indeed right according to the Doctrine of the Faith.

Now, as we have start a new liturgical year, which is, in the Imperial Patriarchate, dedicated to the Faith of Imperial Italy, it is an excellent time to resolve to grow in Christian brotherhood and cooperation. We do not serve our purpose by yielding on that which cannot be yielded, but neither must we seek war where there need be none.

Let Us furthermore remind you all, dear brethren, the reason that we maintain with great determination the traditions of the Imperial Patriarchate of St. Stephen. It is, first, in our blood and our faith. Yet, the majority of the world, for better or worse, is no longer as it once was. In Christian tolerance and charity, we do not actively seek others to change to suit us. Our goal is not to achieve any particular temporal outcome, for ultimately the kingdom we represent on earth is not of this world. Nonetheless, by perpetuating the great and glorious legacy that is our sacred duty to maintain, of a society flawed in humanity, but centred on Christ and His Holy Church, we serve as an example to all people and all governments of the world today, no matter their form. In that way we serve in the best way we possibly can. Seek in this coming year to increase your service in the mission that we all share.

Now, therefore, prepare yourselves to receive God's blessing.

Et benedictio Dei omnipotentis, Patris+, et Filii+, et Spiritus + Sancti, descendat super vos et maneat semper. R. Amen.

Patriarchal Allocution on the Feast of Corpus Christi 2018

Allocuzione Patriarcale del Festo del Sacratissimo Corpo di Nostro Signore

Patriarchal Address on the Feast of Corpus Christi
31 May A.D. 2018

DALLA Casa Fiorentina al mondo, come sempre, grazia e pace in questo festo del Sacratissimo Corpo di Nostro Signore Jesu Christo, nel anno 2018. Oggi e’ una celebrazione dell’unita’ di tutti in Cristo. In verita’ siamo unificati per il corpo di Cristo. Non esiste nessun politico chi puo’ unificare il mondo o, certo, neanche una nazione. L’unico chi puo’ unificare il popolo del mondo e’ Cristo. Carissimi, vi ammoniamo ricordare bene questo punto.

Oggi soffre il mondo per che’ il mondo si manca l’unita’. La vera unita’ venga solo da Cristo. Quindi, il clero cattolico ed i cristifideli devono pensarne. Non possiamo continuare definire noi stessi in tutto il mondo come “liberali” o “conservatori,” o per qualunche partito politico. Non possiamo usare quelli nomini e quelle idee come un esame di verita’ o come una ragione per amare o odiare qualcuno. Anzi, vi ammoniamo ancora usare solo la verita’ della santa fede di nostro Signore Jesu Christo per determinare la verita’ nel mondo. Non dire che tutte le idee dei conservatori, o dei liberali, o di qualcun politico sono buone o cattive. Se una idea politica fosse in accordo colla dottrina della fede, quella idea sarebbe buona. Se una idea politica non fosse in accordo colla dottrina della fede, quella idea sarebbe cattiva. Questa e’ l’unico esame autentico della verita’.

Quindi, non parlare delle cose politiche senza pensare della fede. Se un argomento politico fosse politico solo e non fa parte della dottrina della fede, non parlare mai di questa cosa. Non contribuare alla discordia nel mondo moderno. Essere una luce della pace.

Nel mondo moderno, non c’e’ nessun paese cristiano. E’ un grandissimo peccato, ma, carissimi, dobbiamo ricordare questa realta’. Non pensare mai che servire il stato e’ servire Cristo. Anzi, servire il stato e’ servire Cristo solo quando un regolo particolare o una situazione particolare e’ in accordo della dottrina della santa fede. Parlo e parlaro’ solo per la Chiesa, non per nessun stato, ecceto nostro sovrano patriarcato, e non per nessun partito politico. Dovete, carissimi, anche parlare solo per la Santa Chiesa e non essere un pedone di qualsiasi stato o di qualsiasi partito politico.

Allora, nostro patriarcato e’ forte e robusto per la grazia di Dio e per il Vostro lavoro, per cui vi ringraziamo di buon cuore. Il patriarcato è allo stesso tempo storico e modern – antico e nuovo. È sia distinti nel suo patrimonio e diversi nel suo lavoro in servizio a Dio ed agli altri. Ha una storia profonda di lavoro parrocchiale, ma oggi si concentra solo sul lavoro di missione. È del Regno del cielo di Cristo, ma saldamente piantato nel mondo. Il suo passato è radicato nella guida di diverse nazioni, ma oggi è una nazione senza frontiere. Il suo popolo è devoto e pio, compassionevole in servizio, feroce in difesa. È forse singolare nella storia moderna del mondo e la relativa gente è giustamente fiero di esso.


ENGLISH TRANSLATION:

FROM the Florentine Household to the world, as always, grace and peace on this Feast of Corpus Christi, in the year of our Lord 2018. Today is a celebration of the unity of all mankind in Christ. Indeed we are unified through the Body of Christ. There is no politician who can unify the world or, in fact, not even a nation. The only One who can unify the people of the world is Christ. Carissimi, we admonish you to remember this point well.

Today the world is suffering for a lack of unity. The true unity comes only from Christ. Therefore, the Catholic clergy and the faithful in Christ must think on this. We cannot continue to define ourselves all around the world as "liberals" or "conservatives," or for some particular political party. We cannot use those labels and those ideas as an examination of truth or as a reason to love or hate someone. Indeed, we admonish you again to use only the truth of the Holy Faith of our Lord Jesus Christ to determine the truth in the world. Do not say that all the ideas of the conservatives, or of the liberals, or some particular political are good or bad. If a political idea were to be in agreement with the doctrine of the faith, that idea would be good. If a political idea were not to be in agreement with the doctrine of the faith, then that idea would be bad. This is the only authentic examination of the truth.

So, do not talk about political things without thinking about faith. If a political argument were to be political only and not part of the doctrine of the faith, never talk about this thing. Do not contribute to discord in the modern world. Be a light of peace.

In the modern world, there is no Christian country. It is a great shame, but, carissimi, we must remember this reality. Never think that serving the state is serving Christ. Indeed, to serve the state is to serve Christ only when a particular rule or a particular situation is in agreement with the doctrine of the Holy Faith. I speak and will speak only for the Church, not for any state, excepting our sovereign Patriarchate, and not for any political party. You must, carissimi, also speak only for the Holy Church and not be a pawn of any state or any political party.

Now, our Patriarchate is strong and robust by the grace of God and also by your work – so we thank you sincerely. The Patriarchate is at once historical and modern — ancient and new. It is both distinct in its heritage and diverse in its work in service to God and others. It has a deep history of parochial work, but today focuses only on mission work. It is of Christ's Kingdom of Heaven, but firmly planted in the world. It past is rooted in the rule of nations, yet today it is a nation without borders. Its people are devoted and pious, compassionate in service, fierce in defense. It is perhaps singular in modern world history, and its people are rightly proud of it.

Allora, preparatevi ricevere la benedizione di Dio.

Now, prepare yourselves to receive God's blessing.

Et benedictio Dei omnipotentis, Patris +, et Filii +, et Spiritus + Sancti, descendat super vos et maneat semper. R. Amen.

Patriarchal Address - Ash Wednesday 2018

Allocuzione Patriarcale del Mercoledì delle Cineri

Patriarchal Address on Ash Wednesday

14 February A.D. 2018

(Scroll down for the English language version.)

Dalla Casa Fiorentina ai Cristifideli del Patriarcato Stefaniano in Italia, Erbipolense, Trevia, Westphalia, e Mainz, ed in tutto il mondo, ed alla Corte di Santa Maria di Walsingham, grazia e pace in questo mercoledi delle cineri, l'inizio di quaresima, anno domini 2018. Questo è l'inizio d'una stagione di riflessione, ma anche della penitenza e della preparatione. Prepariamo per la Resurrezione del nostro Signore Gesù Cristo. La luce alla fine di quaresima e la Santa Pasqua. La quaresima viene ogni anno, ed è necessario prepararci per la stagione di rinnovo, cioè la Santa Pasqua. È impossibile capire i misteri della Pasqua senza un gran lavoro -- un gran viaggio di scoperta. I misteri della santa fede di Cristo sono grandissimi i larghi, come la mare. Nessuno può capirli completamente. Quindi, il Signore e la sua Santa Chiesa ci hanno dato un regalo, ed il regalo è le stagioni del calendario liturgico. La quaresima è un tempo di contemplazione della vita di Cristo, la sua Passione, il suo morte, e, finalmente, la cosa più importante nella storia del mondo, la Resurrezione. Questa stagione è veramente un bel regalo.

Oltretutto, ogni quaresima sempre vorrei parlare della penitenza. Dico sempre la stessa cosa. Non definare la quaresima per ciò che si rinuncia, ma invece per ciò che fa per aiutare gli altri. Veramente, carissimi, è possibile rinunciarsi molto -- carne, dolci, etc. -- ma nonostante essere vuoto nel cuore. Dunque dico ancora, vivete, carissimi, una vita di servizio, in particolare in questa quaresima. Fate atti di carità per gli altri. Quello è la penitenza migliore e la più efficace.

Prego sempre, carissimi, che cresciate continuamente nella santa fede e nella comunione con il Signore, in questa stagione di quaresima ed in tutto l'anno. Adesso, preparatevi ricevere la benedizione di Nostro Signore.

Et benedictio Dei omnipotentis, + Patris, et + Filii, et Spiritus + Sancti descendat super vos et maneat semper. R. Amen.

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ENGLISH VERSION:

From the Florentine Household to the faithful in Christ of the Stephenian Patriarchate in Italy, Wurzburg, Trevia, Westphalia, and Mainz, and all over the world, and also to the Court of Saint Mary of Walsingham, grace and peace on this Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent, in the year of our Lord 2018. This is the beginning of a season of reflection, but also of penance and preparation. We prepare for the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. The light at the end of Lent is Easter. Lent comes every year, and it is necessary to prepare for the season of renewal, that is, the Paschal season. It is impossible to understand the mysteries of Easter without a great deal of work -- and it is a great journey of discovery. The Mysteries of the Holy Faith of Christ are great and wide, like the sea. No one can understand them completely. Therefore, the Lord and His Holy Church have given us a gift, and the gift is the seasons of the liturgical calendar. Lent is a time of contemplation of the life of Christ, his Passion, his death, and, finally, the most important thing in the history of the world, the Resurrection. This season of Lent is a special gift indeed.

In addition, each lent I always want to mention penance specifically, and I always say the same thing. Do not define Lent by what you give up, but instead by what you do to help others. Truly, carissimi, you can give up many thing -- meat, sweets, etc. -- but in spite of being empty in the heart. So I say again, live, carissimi, a life of service, especially during this Lenten season. Do acts of charity for others. That is the best and most effective penance.

I pray always, dearest, that you continually grow in the Holy Faith and in communion with the Lord, in this season of Lent and throughout the year. Now, prepare yourselves to receive the blessing of our Lord.

Et benedictio Dei omnipotentis, + Patris, et + Filii, et Spiritus + Sancti descendat super vos et maneat semper. R. Amen.

Patriarchal Address on the Feast of the Nativity of the B.V.M.

PATRIARCHAL SEE 8 September 2017 (ORCNS) - H.Em. Mgr. Rutherford Johnson, Cardinal Patriarch of St. Stephen, gave his annual address on the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The text in Italian and English is given below. 

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Dalla Casa Fiorentina al mondo, ed ai membri della Corte di S. Maria di Walsingham, grazia e pace, e la mia Benedizione Apostolica in questo Festo della Natività della Beata Virgine Maria, anno Domini

2017. È un tempo gioioso nel patriarcato. Viviamo nella luce di Cristo, con speranza della vita eterna. Ma, oggi nel mondo, è un tempo di sofferanza nelle tenebre. Quanti governi nel mondo sembrano volere una grandissima guerra. Sì, veramente la via alla pace non è una via d’acquietamento, non vedere gli azzioni dei nemici, ma anche è vero che predicare la guerra non guidarà il mondo alla pace. Preparare per la guerra è importante e giusto per la pace, ma non un discorso bellicoso.

Carissimi, speriamo in Cristo, e quindi siamo calmi. Ma, non possiamo solo restare in quella speranza, senza azzione, lasciando morire il mondo. Noi, i cristifideli dobbiamo per sempre usare la nostra forza – tutta la nostra forze – per migliorare le condizioni del popolo. È la responsibilità anche dei governi del mondo migliorare le condizioni del popolo e lavorare per il regno di Cristo sulla terra. Dunque la santa Chiesa certo predicare ai governi la verità di Cristo. La Chiesa ha quella sacra responsibilità e inoltre il sacro diritto. Pregate, carissimi, per il mondo, che tutti possano sapere la luce e l’amore di Cristo e venire alla vita eterna.

Anche, siamo molto contenti nunciare ancora che l’anno 2018 sarà il decimo anniversario della successione al patrimonio temporale del Patriarcato di S. Stefano – precisamente il patrimonio di Etruria, Trevia, Erbipolense, Reichenberg, Frankfurt, e la nostra santa città, Firenze. È un piacere particolare servire il Signore nel mondo moderno tra questo antico patrimonio.

Allora, preparatevi ricevere la benedizione di nostro Signore.

Et benedictio Dei omnipotentis, Patris +, et Filii+, et Spiritus + Sancti, descendat super vos et maneat semper. R. Amen.

ENGLISH TRANSLATION:

From the Florentine Household to the world, and to the members of the Court of Saint Mary of Walsingham, grace and peace, and my Apostolic Blessing on this Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It is a joyous time in the Patriarchate. We live in the light of Christ, with the hope of eternal life. However, today in the world it is a time of suffering in darkness. Several governments of the world seem to want a great war. Indeed the way to peace is not a way of appeasement, blind to the actions of enemies, but also it is true that to preach war will not lead the world to peace. To prepare for war is important and right for peach, but not warmongering dialogue.

Carissimi, we hope in Christ, and therefore we are calm. But, we cannot only rest in that hope without action, leaving the world to die. We, the faithful in Christ must always use our power – all our power – to improve the condition of the people. And the responsibility of the government is also to improve the condition of the people and work for the kingdom of Christ here on earth. Therefore, the Holy Church must certainly preach to the governments the truth of Christ. The Church has that sacred responsibility, but also that sacred right. Pray, brethren, for the world, that all may know the light and love of Christ and come to eternal life.

Also, we are very happy to announce again that 2018 shall be the tenth anniversary of the succession to the temporal patrimony of the Patriarchate of St. Stephen – specifically the patrimony of Etruria, Trevia, Wurzburg, Reichenbger, Frankfurt, Mainz, and our holy city, Florence. It is a particular pleasure to serve our Lord in the modern world through this ancient heritage.

And now prepare yourselves to receive the blessing of our Lord.

Et benedictio Dei omnipotentis, Patris, et Filii, et Spiritus + Sancti, descendat super + + vos et maneat semper. R. Amen.

Patriarchal Address at Easter 2017 - Allocuzione Patriarcale della Santa Pasqua 2017

PATRIARCHAL SEE - 16 APRIL 2017 (ORCNS) - H.Em. Mgr. Rutherford, Cardinal Patriarch of St. Stephen, gave his annual Patriarchal Address on Easter. The transcript of the Italian version is given first, followed by the English version. 

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Ai membri della Corte di S. Maria di Walsingham, grazia e pace, e la mia Benedizione Apostolica in questa Domenica della Santa Pasqua, anno Domini 2017. Christus resurgens est! Oggi, celebriamo la vittoria di Cristo sul sepolcro. Celebriamo la gloriosa resurrezione di nostro Signore Jesu Christo. Il Sanctum Triduum è un tempo di morte ed un tempo della vita. È un tempo delle tenebre ed un tempo della luce. Il magno mistero è che per vivere è necessa-rio morire. Dobbiamo morire al mondo e vivere solo in Cristo. Cristo fu l’agnello perfetto per pagare il grandissimo debito del mondo. Ma, non possiamo credere solamente, senza opera, senza sofferenza. In verità dobbiamo appenderci alla croce come Cristo, poichè Cristo ci ha detto che dobbiamo prendere la nostra croce e seguirlo.

Oggi il mondo cammina nelle tenebre. Nonostante, in Cristo abbi-amo la speranza della vita aeterna per tutti chi credono veramente in Lui. Chi crede veramente in Cristo è ligato altamente alla vera Chiesa di Cristo, l’unica, santa, cattolica, ed apostolica Chiesa di Cris-to. Anche chi crede veramente in Cristo vive in accordo colla veris-sima dottrina cristiana. Il cuore della dottrina viene del Santo Cuore di Cristo.

Come sempre, esiste una forza grandissima contro la Chiesa e contro il popolo cristiano. Quella forza è una forza dell'anticristo. Questa è una grandissima guerra, la guerra aeterna tra bene e male. Amici in Cristo, dobbiamo combattere come soldati della Santa Cro-ce! Ma la nostra arma la più forte non è la pistola, non è la fucile, ma è la Santa Messa. Un sacerdote celebrando la Santa Messa fa più con-tro i nemici della Chiesa e della pace di tutti gli eserciti fortissimi del mondo.

Anche, come vi ho detto l’ultima Pasqua, sempre comportarvi, in abito appropriato, con parole appropriate, come ecclesiastici e come nobili di questa corte patriarcale antica. Sacerdoti, celebrate la Santa Messa per la pace e per la vittoria. Tutti di voi, orate il sacratissimo rosario. Sempre avete corragio di dire la verità dei Santi Vangeli, an-che se significa la vostra morte o un danno a voi. Prego, nonostante, che Dio ci preserva da ogni caduta!

Per proclamare il santo Vangelo non è l’odio. La verità è l’amore. Tutto l’amore nel mondo è trovato nel santo Vangelo di Cristo. Lo proclamiamo precisamente perchè amiamo tutti!

Oggi anche sono molto contento informarvi che abbiamo adesso una missione in Africa, ed i seminaristi stano avanzandi all’ordine dei Sacerdoti. Anche l’apostolato della Guardia di Walsingham, una con-tinuazione moderna del Gran Balivato e delle due Grandi Priorie dell’Ordine Teutonico Inperiale conferite al nostro Patriarcato e liga-ta alle diversi unità del patrimonio del patriarcato, continua di pros-perare e crescere. La Dichiarazione d’Intenti della Guardia è “Ispir-ando le vite di forza, compassione, e pace.” La Guardia è veramente un ministero religioso ed una vocazione religiosa.

Allora, torniamo alla Santa Pasqua, questo tempo gioioso. Ringranziamo per nostro Signore che ha appeso sulla Croce, quello legno benedetto, e che ha vinto il sepolcro e l’inferno stesso. Allora, preparatevi ricevere la benedizione di Dio.

Et benedictio Dei omnipotentis, Patris +, et Filii+, et Spiritus + Sancti, descendat super vos et maneat semper. R. Amen.

ENGLISH TRANSLATION:

To the members of the Court of Saint Maria of Walsingham, grace and peace, and my Apostolic blessing on this Easter Sunday A.D. 2017. Christus resurgens est! Today, we celebrate Christ's victo-ry over the tomb. We celebrate the glorious Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. The Sacred Triduum is a time of death and of life. It is a time of darkness and of light. The great mystery is that in order to live you must die. We must die to the world and live only in Christ. Christ was the perfect lamb to pay the enormous debt of the world. But, we can't merely believe and stop there, without work, without suffering. Truly we must hang on the cross like Christ, because Christ told us that we must take up our cross and follow him.

Today the world walks in darkness. Despite that fact, in Christ we have the hope of everlasting life for all who truly believe in Him. Those who truly believe in Christ's will strongly align themselves with the true Church of Christ, the one, Holy, Catholic, and Apostol-ic Church of Christ. Those who believe in Christ live according to the true and authentic Christian doctrine. The heart of the doctrine is derived from and of the very essence of the Sacred Heart of Christ.

As always, there is a great force aligned against the Church and against the Christian people. That force is a force of the Antichrist. This is a great war, the eternal war between good and evil. Dear friends in Christ, we must fight as soldiers of the Cross! But our strongest weapon is not the pistol and not the rifle, but rather the Holy Mass. A priest celebrating mass does more than all strongest armies in the world put together.

Also, as I told you all last Easter, always conduct yourselves properly, in appropriate dress, with appropriate words, as clerics and nobles of the ancient and Patriarchal Court. Priests, celebrate the mass for peace and for victory. All of you, pray the Holy Rosary. Always be brave and preach the truth of the Holy Gospels, even if it means your death or harm comes to you. I pray, however, the God will preserve us from all harm!

To proclaim the holy Gospel is not hatred. The truth contained therein is love. All the love in the world is found in the Holy Gospel of Christ. We proclaim the Gospel precisely because we love all the people of the world!

Today also I am very pleased that we have now a mission in Af-rica, and seminarians are diligently progressing towards the Order of Priests. Even the apostolate of the Walsingham Guard, a modern continuation of the Grand Bailiwick and the two Grand Priories if the Imperial Teutonic Order vested in our Patriarchate, joined with the various other units that comprise part of the patrimony of the Patriarchate, continues to thrive and grow. The Mission Statement of the Guard is "Inspiring lives of strength, compassion, and peace." The Guard is truly a religious ministry and vocation.

So, returning specifically to Easter, this time of great joy, we give thanks unto the Lord that He hung on the Cross, that blessed wood, and who conquered both the grave and hell itself. Therefore, prepare yourselves to receive God's blessing.

Et benedictio Dei omnipotentis, Patris +, et Filii+, et Spiritus + Sancti, descendat super vos et maneat semper. R. Amen.

Christmas Address of H.Em. the Card. Patriarch of St. Stephen

ENGLISH TRANSCRIPTION:

Dear members of the Court of St. Mary of Walsingham and all the faithful in Christ around the world whom we serve, grace and peace, and our Apostolic Blessing on this Feast of the Nativity, in the year of our Lord 2016. This day is a joyous day, the culmination of a long period of waiting. Truly the world walked in darkness, and our Lord Jesus Christ came to bring everyone into the light. Christ is truly the light of the world, the only light, and without Him, we are always in darkness. But, it was not a single and historic event, after which humanity would walk in the light. Yes, the birth of Jesus Christ happened approximately 2000 years ago. But, dear sons and daughters, think for a moment. Yes, the light of Christ has arrived, but the love of Christ has not entered into the hearts of the people. The hearts of mankind remain hardened against love. Brother against brother. Country against country. Children against parents. Christian against Christian. Officials of the Holy Church against Christ. For me, it is difficult to understand this. It is difficult to understand, in this era of our Lord, that hate exists where love could exist. This is truly the result of the diabolical work of the devil. The great enemy likes hate, war, suffering, poverty, and famine. We, dear sons and daughters, the clergy and laity, we must fight against the forces of darkness, the forces of the devil. We must show forth the love of Christ and maintain the Holy Church.

There is in the world a problem of Christians with a weak faith, like a slight wind with no power. That sort of faith is not the true faith. To have the true faith, it is necessary to be on fire for Christ. It is necessary to be a fanatic for Christ and for His Holy Church since to love Christ is, by that very fact, to be a fanatic for Christ. The lukewarm Christians have caused a degradation to the Holy Church, and this is like a knife in the back of Christ. We must pray for the conversion of the lukewarm Christian as well as of the modernists, but we can no longer tolerate their destruction of the Holy Church.

Therefore, dearest sons and daughter, let us march as an army of Christ and carry the standard of Our Lord to all people in every country and in every community. Let us set on fire the hearts of everyone for Christ in every place. Only when the people open their hearts to Christ will the world become better. Without Christ, neither goodness nor virtue exists. All for Christ, the light of the world.

And now, prepare yourselves to receive the blessing of Our Lord.

Et benedictio Dei omnipotentis, Patris + et Filii + et Spiritus + Sancti descendat super vos et maneat semper. R. Amen. 

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ORIGINAL TEXT: 

Carissimi membri della Corte di S. Maria di Walsingham, e tutti i Cristifideli nel mondo chi serviamo, grazia e pace a tutti, e la mia benedizione Apostolica nel festo del Santo Natale, Anno Domini 2016. Questo giorno è un giorno gioioso, il culmine d’un lungo tempo di speranza. In verità il mondo camminava nelle tenebre, e nostro Signore Jesu Christo venne per illuminare tutto il mondo. Christo è veramente la luce del mondo, l’unica luce, e senza di lui, noi siamo sempre nelle tenebre. Ma, non fu un evento solo e storico, dopo di cui l’umanità camminarebbe nella luce. Sì, la nascita di Jesu Christo, avvenuta quasi 2000 anni fa. Ma, carissimi, per un momento pensate. Sì, la luce di Cristo ha già arrivato, ma l’amore di Christo non è già entrato ai cuori della gente. I nostri cuori rimangono duri contra l’amore. Fratello contra fratello. Paese contra paese. Figli contra genitori. Cristiano contra Cristiano. Ufficiali della Santa Chiesa contra Cristo. Per me, è dificile capire questa cosa. È dificile capire, nell’epoca del Nostro Signore, che esiste l’odio dove solo esisterebbe l’amore. Questo è veramente il risulto del lavoro diabolico del diavolo. Al nemico grande si piaciono l’odio, la guerra, la sofferenza, la povertà, e la fame. Noi, carissimi, il clero e la laicà, noi dobbiamo combattare le forze delle tenebre, le forze del diavolo. Dobbiamo mostrare l’amore di Cristo e sostenere la Santa Chiesa. 

C’è nel mondo un problema di cristiani con una fede senza forza, come un piccolo vento molto meno mosso. Questa fede non è la vera fede. Per avere la vera fede, è necessario essere in fiamme per Cristo. È necessario essere fanatico per Cristo e per la sua Santa Chiesa poichè qui ama Cristo è di conseguenza un fanatico per Cristo. I cristiani tiepidi hanno causato una degredazione della Santa Chiesa, e questo è come un coltello nel dorso di Cristo. Dobbiamo pregare per la conversione dei cristiani tiepidi, inoltre dei mondernisti, ma non possiamo più lasciarli rovinare il cuore della Santa Chiesa.

Quindi, carissimi, marciamo come un esercito di Cristo e portiamo lo stendardo di Nostro Signore ad ogni popolo in ogni paese ed in ogni communità. Infiammiamo i cuori di tutti per Cristo in ogni luogo. Solo quando la gente apre il cuore a Cristo sarà migliore il mondo. Senza Cristo non esistono la bonta’ e la virtù. Tutto per Cristo, la luce del mondo.

Adesso, preparatevi per ricevere la benedizione di Nostro Signore.

Et benedictio Dei omnipotentis, Patris + et Filii + et Spiritus + Sancti descendat super vos et maneat semper. R. Amen.

Transcript of the Patriarchal Address on the Feast of Corpus Christ 2016

Transcript of the Patriarchal Address on the Feast of Corpus Christ 2016
Rutherford, Card. Patriach of St. Stephen

To the Members of the Court of St. Mary of Walsingham, to all the clergy and faithful under Our pastoral care, and indeed to all the clergy and faithful in Christ around the world, that all may be one, the grace and peace of our Lord, and Apostolic Blessings on this Feast of Corpus Christi in the year of our Lord 2016. As the Trinity season begun on Sunday, a mere four days ago, we will remark again that we consider the Trinity Season a great gift as a period of reflection on all that has recently been experienced. From the beginning of the liturgical year in Advent, we prepare for and experience the coming of our Lord to earth as man, the chief occasion being the Nativity. Then comes the period of the Manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles in which we welcome Christ likewise into our homes and our hearts. Next comes Lent, during which time we focus on the earthly ministry of our Lord, culminating in the going up to Jerusalem, the Passion, and the Crucifixion. Then comes the moment for which the world long waited and for which we wait in anticipation each year, the most important day of the liturgical calendar, the Easter Vigil and the Sunday of Resurrection, when the victory over the grave is complete. Yet Christ did not merely rise from the grave and disappear. He had more to do. He had to make plain His great victory, that all might believe and be saved. Thus begins the forty days from Easter to the Ascension - a marvelous time in which there is much to absorb. And, of course, the Feast of Christ's glorious Ascension itself does not even mark the end of Paschaltide, for our Lord promised to send the Holy Spirit. That we celebrate on Whitsunday and throughout Whitsunweek, inviting the Holy Spirit again into our hearts and renewing our openness to the work of the Spirit in Christ's Holy Church Militant. And so it is that Paschaltide ends immediately prior to the Feast of the Most Holy Trinity. God the Father was made known first to the Hebrew people. Then God the Son was made manifest on earth. Once our Lord's ministry on earth had been fulfilled, indeed in very fulfillment of the Hebrew Scriptures, He send the Third Person of the Holy Trinity, the Holy Spirit. It is truly right and even logical that the end of the Easter season ends with the Feast of the Holy Trinity.

So great and so deep is the mystery that we cannot hope to comprehend it all. There is much to learn each year. There is much personal growth that can take place if we only open our hearts to the truth of Christ. Thus we are given the marvelous gift of the Trinity season each year, following Paschaltide and continuing until the beginning of the next liturgical year with Advent. As the liturgy shows us the Persons of the Holy Trinity in Christmas and Epiphany, Lent and Easter, and Pentecost, the Trinity season lets us relax and reflect, taking in all that we have experienced, and marvel at the mystery and power of the combined Trinity.

Less than a week into Trinity season, though, comes the Feast of Corpus Christi. We celebrate and worship the Most Holy Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Savior of Mankind, the founder of the Holy Catholic Church, and the Supreme and Eternal King and Priest. We celebrate the fact that our Lord remains with us here on earth through His presence in the Most Holy Sacrament. Christ lives on the altar, which remains a true and living Sacrifice to which we may all join ourselves. As we begin Trinitytide, we receive the bold reminder of Christ's presence on earth so that we do not wander through Trintytide aimlessly, merely waiting for it all to begin again next year at Advent, but instead walk through like pilgrims with purpose. May we in our Patriarchate be pilgrims with purpose, letting our lives be as a pilgrimage to Jerusalem. Let us all seek Christ in all that we do and thereby lead a life filled with divinely-inspired purpose.

We are blessed in the Patriarchate of St. Stephen, the Anglican Rite Roman Catholic Church, to continue the legacy of Walsingham, of Rome, of Florence, and of Jerusalem. Our legacy is ancient and deep, and we drive forward in humility. To the members of Our Curia and Houeshold without whose assistance We could not so effectively serve, We thank you sincerely and give Our special blessing. And now, all may prepare to receive the blessing of our Lord.

Et Benedictio Dei omnipotentis, Patris, + et Filii, + et Spiritus + Sancti, descendat super vos and maneat semper. R. Amen.

Ash Wednesday Patriarchal Address

PATRIARCHAL SEE 5 MARCH 2014 (ORCNS) - The Patriarch of Saint Stephen, Old Holy Roman Church of the English Rite, gave his Ash Wednesday address to the members of the Court of Saint Mary of Walsingham today. Ash Wednesday is one of the five times that these formal addresses are given on topics including administration, pastoral matters, and world events. Excerpts from the transcript are provided below.

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On this day the faithful are reminded that we are all dust, and we shall all return to dust. It is a time to confront our own frail humanity, our own mortality, and our own weaknesses. The fallen state of mankind is so often exhibited in ways that also underscore our mortality. These include war and persecution, two prime examples of man’s inhumanity to man. As we speak, there is strife around the world, as it seems there always is. We need hardly mention that chief among these are the conflict in Syria and the tensions in the Ukraine. In Syria, while the leaders of the world pretend that nothing is going on, Christians are being killed, harmed, tortured, and persecuted. Some are forced to leave their ancient homeland in search of safety, for Syria is indeed one of the oldest areas in Christendom. In the Ukraine we see the results of revolution and the chaos it brings. More often than not, the anarchist revolutionaries that bring about such chaos profess to be overthrowing a bad government, only to institute a worse system when they themselves come to power. It is a vicious cycle that plagues much of the world. Indeed, I cannot say with certainty that the promises of liberty of the American republicanists in the 18th century are truly being realized. Such is the cyclical nature of mankind’s existence. Thus We ask that at least a portion of your Lenten sacrifices be dedicated to the intentions of those people around the world who are suffering from injustice, persecution, torment, and warfare.

Within Our See, We are pleased to announce a marked increase in vocations. We ever strive to have the highest level of clerics in the service of Christ and His Holy Church within the flock entrusted to Our pastoral care.

We also announce, in the spirit of this year’s liturgical theme of Chivalry and Service, a reiterated effort to the preservation of the history and traditions of the Holy Roman Empire. These traditions are kept and maintained in a living way within Our Particular Church, which was indeed born out of the Holy Roman Empire. That which was created under the authority of the Supreme Pontiff over one thousand years ago has not died.

As we begin Lent today, we look forward to the coming festivities of the Easter Season. That itself is reason enough to proclaim that Lent is not a time of sorrow or boredom or difficulty, but is itself a time of joy as we realize the full extent of Christ’s Sacrifice for us all. How can the faithful begin to appreciate what they experience on Easter without Lent? It would be similar to an athlete receiving an Olympic medal without first having gone through the experience of training and preliminary competition. How could that be appreciated at all? Truly there is no Easter without Good Friday. That might be an oft-used expression, but it is true. Too often in the world today, people demand the joys of Easter without the Sacrifice of the Cross. That cannot be. It cannot produce real results. It is entirely contrary to the laws of nature. Let us, then, as a collection of faithful in Christ, serve as an example to the world that the people everywhere may learn to engage in selfless sacrifice and service to others to put themselves in solidarity with Our Lord on the Cross.