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.

Priest's Son Saves Woman's Life, Receives Commendation

WATERFORD, Penna., 3 February 2018 (ORCNS) - Prc. Brandon Deffenbaugh v. Aschaffenburg, son of the Very Rev. Mgr. Douglas Deffenbaugh, Prc. v. Aschaffenburg and Chancellor of the Court of St. Mary of Walsingham, was at work in late January when a woman in her mid-fifties went into cardiac arrest. Deffenbaugh revived her and, despite her going into cardiac arrest twice, he kept her alive for over an hour until a volunteer ambulance could arrive.

For his exemplary service to humanity in saving a life, the Walsingham Guard awarded Deffenbaugh the Walsingham Guard Commendation Medal with Gold Palm. The medal is only awarded with the gold palm for lifesaving action. He was also recognized with the Life Saving Award from the Waterford, Pennsylvania Fire Department. 

Mgr. Rutherford Johnson, Cardinal Patriarch of St. Stephen and Captain-General of the Walsingham Guard said that Deffenbaugh's actions were, "...in keeping with the highest traditions of selfless service to others promoted by the Walsingham Guard and highly deserving of recognition."

Walsingham Guard
Commendation Medal
with Gold Palm.

Sacred Heart Vestments - A Traditional Vestment and Church Supply Apostolate for Clergy by Clergy

Sacred Heart Vestments, founded 2012, offers traditional clerical vestments and habits, as well as church supplies. Customers speak of the high quality and the affordable prices. Sacred Heart Vestments, however, is more than a clerical supply store. It is actually an apostolate founded and operated by Bishop William Jones in North Carolina - alongside his regular pastoral work. Sacred Heart Vestments makes made-to-order clerical clothing, including items that are difficult to find in today's world, such as episcopal gloves and sandals. They also carry items such as altar appointments and ceremonial items such as ombrellini. 

Devoted to its mission of ensuring that parishes are able to continue the timeless traditions of the Church, the apostolate has contributed much-needed worship supplies to multiple parishes. Currently they are seeking assistance to help establish a store-front and build a new parish facility. For more information, please visit: sacredvesture.blogspot.com/

The Card. Patriarch of St. Stephen in
choral habit with a traditional lace
rochet made by Sacred Heart Vestments.

Les Comtes Royales

For some people, the title of Count conjures up images of Transylvanian vampires. For others, Medieval warriors. The image for most people, though, is typically something far, far less exotic. It is in fact an old title dating back to the Roman Empire. Today it comes in many forms. It can be a middle or high level of nobility. When held by a royal person, it usually is among the highest of all titles. 

Count Jean de Bourbon-la Marche

Count translates as Comes in Latin, meaning companion. It was used for high officials of the imperial court and for provincial rulers, for they were "companions of the Emperor." In the time of the early Holy Roman Empire, it became a common title for many rulers. In Italy, for example, some of the independent states were ruled by Counts, including Etruria (Tuscany). The last ruler of Tuscany in the ancient Holy Roman Empire was Countess Matilda, Margravine of Tuscany. She was a princess of the houses of Canossa, Lorraine, and Bar. 

In the Middle Ages, the Count of Flanders was one of the most powerful sovereigns in Europe. In the Kingdom of France, it was common for some of the royal family to hold the title of Count and were known as such. For example, some of the brothers of King St. Louis IX of France were Count Robert of Artois, Count Alphone of Toulouse, and Count Charles of Anjou. Count Charles later became the King of Sicily and Naples. Later royal counts of the House of Bourbon included Count Louis I of Vendome, Count Jean I de la Marche, and Count James I de la Marche, son of Louis I, Duke of Bourbon. Duke Louis I was the son of Count Robert of Clermont, a son of King St. Louis IX. 

Count Henri de Chambord

After the House of Bourbon lost rule of France in the July Revolution of 1830, Count Henri of Chambord, the grandson of King Charles X, became the "Legitimist" claimant to the throne. There began a division among the House of Bourbon for the French throne. The Orléanist pretender to the French throne was Count Philippe of Paris, son of the Prince Royal of France.  Count Don Juan of Montizón, son of Carlos V, Count of Molina and the "Carlist" claimant to the Spanish throne, was both the claimant to the Spanish throne and the Legitimist claimant to the French throne. 

A few of the royal counts of today include: Mgr. the Count of Paris (Orléanist claimant to the French throne), HRH the Count of Gevaudan (Merovingian claimant to the French throne), HIRH the Count of Valais (Grand Prince of Etruria), HIRH the Cardinal Count of Sainte Animie (Anglo-Italian Imperial Patriarch), HMERH the Count of Marmande (titular Elector of Trier), and HMERH the Count of Römerberg (titular Elector of Mainz). 

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.

The Day the Earth Stood Still -- Walsingham Guard Officer Predicted and Promoted the Space Corps in 2001

WASHINGTON 31 August 2017 (ORCNS) - It pays to be ahead of the curve. Perhaps nowhere is that more true than in warfare. Satellites, however, which control so much of daily life on earth, could be the victims of a Pearl Harbor-style sneak attack. Daniel Coberly, Prz. v. Reichenberg, a senior officer in the Walsingham Guard and an official of the Patriarchal Curia, warned of this in an article written in 2001 (unclassified version of the article, published in the Space and Missile Defense Command Eagle). He argued for special troops to fight battles in defense of "space real estate" (such as satellites), and now in 2017, the United States government is finally beginning to put that idea into action. 

Photo Credit: NASA

Beyond military issues, an enemy disruption of satellite technology would have a major impact on daily life on earth for the target country and their allies. Cellular phones, credit cards, debit cards, ATM cards, and e-mail would potentially shut down. Banking, shipping, telemedicine care and other speedy electronic commerce could suffer world-wide interruption. The cost to trade would be likely significant, and the economy could easily take a nose dive. It is like something out of a James Bond villain's evil plot.

Humans today depend on space heavily. The trouble is that it is so much a part of normal, everyday life that it seems no one thinks much about it at all. Therein lies the Achilles heel. 

Military Nanosatellites.
Photo Credit: U.S. Army

Space is key in the military, just as in civilian life. Controlling the high ground in combat has taken on a new definition in the modern era. It means, above all, control of assets in space. Navigation systems, communication systems, guidance systems, among others, all depend on satellites orbiting the earth.

The United States and NATO are just now taking the major steps needed to put into action what was conceptualized by early visionaries, such as Coberly. As new threats to global stability continue to emerge and old ones persist, the new proposed U.S. Space Corps could not come at a better time.

Corpus Christi Address of the Cardinal Patriarch of St. Stephen

PATRIARCHAL SEE 15 JUNE 2017 (ORCNS) - His Eminence Rutherford, Count of Sainte Animie, Patriarch of St. Stephen have his annual Corpus Christi address to the Court of Saint Mary of Walsingham. The original transcript in Italian is first, followed by the English translation.

PATRIARCHAL ADDRESS
ON THE FEAST OF THE
MOST HOLY BODY AND BLOOD
OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST

2017

RVTHERFORDVS I CARD. COMES S. ANIMIAE
ARCHPRINCEPS FLORENTIAE
PATRIARCHA S. STEFANI

AI membri della Corte di S. Maria di Walsingham, grazia e pace, e la mia Benedizione Apostolica in questo Festo del Corpus Christi, anno Domini 2017. Oggi celebriamo il sanctissimo Corpo ed il sacratissimo Sangue di Nostro Signore Jesu Christo. È un gioioso festo dopo della Stagione Pasquale. Durante la Stagione Pasquale, ricordiamo le Resurrezione, l’Ascensione, e la Pentecoste – tutti molto importanti, il nucleo della Santa Fede. Subito dopo della Stagione Pasquale è il Festo della Santissima Trinità, l’unico Dio, tre Personi, ma indivisibili. In verità, è del nucleo della Fede che Jesu Christo è veramente Dio, non solo un uomo. Vero Dio chi ha venuto alla terra come un uomo, e morì per noi. Ma, il morte di Cristo non fu un evento solo! Il sacrificio viva ancora oggi, fratelli! Dunque, è giusto, dopo del Festo della Trinità, che celebriamo il Corpo ed il Sangue di Cristo. Proclamiamo che Cristus Rex vivat in saecula saeculorum. Veramente il Sacrificio sull’altare di Cristo è il stesso Sacrificio di Cristo sulla Croce. Oggi facciamo un grandissimo inchino al sanctissimo Corpo ed al sacratissimo Sangue di Nostro Signore.

Adesso devo dire ancora ed ancora che Cristo è l’unica luce del mondo, e senza di Lui, non abbiamo nessun speranza. Oggi la società scende rapidamente alle tenebre. La società dimentica la tradizione e la fede di Cristo, e senza Cristo e le sue sancte tradizioni, la società sarà caduta alle mani dei nemici della Chiesa, i nemici della bontà, i nemici della civilisazione, i nemici di Dio! Noi, fratelli, i cristifideli, noi dobbiamo combattere contra le tenebre. Non possiamo essere ratti, corriendo, scappiendo, e nascando! Certo dobbiamo avere corragio e metterci in resistanza come un esercito della Santa Croce.

Il combattimento di solito per noi, i cristifideli, è certo spirituale. Ma, siamo discenduti dei Crociati e quindi capisciamo bene che, quando siamo attaccati d’un forzo violento malevolissimo, è necessario difenderci. Non vi dimenticate mai questa cosa.

E, carissimi, come il mondo ha arrivato qui? Relativismo. Il relativismo è un forzo insidioso che poco a poco erode la fede del popolo. Senza conoscenza, dopo un tempo, il popolo si sveglia una mattina e non ha la fede di Cristo ancora. Il relativismo è la via all’infidelismo ed alla religione di statismo. Il repubblicanessimo è la manifestazione di teorie vecchie di relativismo. Gli attivisti politichi di solito non hanno nuove idee, ma solo vecchie idee inferiori. L’unica via politica è la via di Cristo. Noi, carissimi, dovremmo essere una forza non di falsa variazione, ma d’un gioioso ritorno alla tradizione. Solo in Cristo la gente può essere libero.

Ed in merito della violenza ricente negli USA, è un segno del risulto di relativismo. Un assassino ha sparato a diversi membri del Partito Republicano. Cinque sono stati feriti, comprese un membro della Camera di Rappresentivi. Questo vile e codardo atto è anarchismo, un figlio di relativismo. In un paese, i cittadini dovrebbero essere come fratelli. Disaccordo arrive, certo, ma non dovremmo sparare a coloro con chi non siamo daccordo. Coloro chi conoscono Cristo capiscono bene che dovrebbero parlare con i nostri oppositori. Questo tipo di violenza non è un diritto del popolo, e gesti come questo vile e codardo atto sono controproducente e contro di Cristo. Non possiamo dire che rispettiamo il Corpo di Cristo ed il Sangue di Cristo se fossiamo ammazzare coloro con chi non siamo daccordo!

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:

TO the members of the Court of Saint Maria of Walsingham, grace and peace, and my Apostolic blessing on this Feast of Corpus Christi, in the Year of Our Lord 2017. Today we celebrate the most holy Body and the most sacred Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is a joyful celebration following Paschaltide. During the Easter season, we remember the Resurrection, Ascension, and Pentecost – all very important, and indeed the nucleus of the holy Faith. Immediately after Paschaltide comes the Feast of the Holy Trinity, the only God, three parts, but indivisible. Truly it is very much a part of the nucleus of the faith that Jesus Christ Himself is truly God, not just a man. True God who has come to Earth as a man, and died for us. But, the death of Christ was not a single, solitary event in history! Brethren, the Sacrifice of then still lives today! Therefore, it is meet and proper that, after the feast of the Trinity, we celebrate the Body and Blood of Christ. We proclaim Cristus Rex Vivat in Saecula saeculorum – Christ the King lives forever. Truly the Sacrifice on the altar of Christ is the same Sacrifice of Christ on the Cross. Today we make a great bow to the most holy Body and to the most sacred Blood of our Lord.

Now I must say again and again that Christ is the only light of the world, and without him, we have no hope. Today society descends rapidly into darkness. Society forgets the tradition and faith of Christ, and without Christ and his holy traditions, society will fall to the hands of the enemies of the Church, the enemies of goodness, the enemies of civilisation, the enemies of God! We, brethren, the faithful in Christ, we must fight against the darkness. We cannot be rats, running, escaping, and hiding! Of course, we must have courage and be a force of resistance as an army of the Holy Cross.

This warfare is, for us, the faithful in Christ, certainly spiritual. But, we are descendants of the Crusaders and therefore we understand that, when we are attacked by a vile and wicked force of violence, it is necessary to defend ourselves. Never forget this.

And, dearest friends, how did the world come to this situation? Relativism. Relativism is an insidious thing that little by little erodes the faith of the people. Without knowledge, after a time, the people wake up one morning to find that they do not have the faith of Christ anymore. Relativism is the way to the loss of faith, replaced with the religion of the state. Republicanism is the manifestation of old theories of relativism. Political activists usually do not have new ideas, but only old inferior ideas that do not work. The only political way is the way of Christ. We, dearest friends, should be a force not of false change, but of a joyful return to tradition. Only in Christ can people be free.

And now with regard to the recent violence in the USA, it is a sign of the very result of relativism. A murderer shot several members of the Republican Party. Five were injured, including a member of the US House of Representatives. This vile and cowardly act is nothing more than anarchism, a child of relativism. In a country, citizens should be like brothers. Disagreement certainly will happen, of course, but we should not shoot those with whom we do not agree. Those who know Christ understand very well that we should talk with our opponents. This type of violence is not a right of the people, and gestures like this vile and cowardly act are counterproductive and against Christ. We cannot say that we respect the Body of Christ and the Blood of Christ if we kill those with whom we do not agree!

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.