Oh, How the Wolves Come Out To Feast During Lent

The modernists and Francis fan-boy attack dogs seem to be out in force as Lent begins. Let us stand fast in our Faith and pray for their conversion.

From Memorare

By Jeremy Dannebohm

“If you chew up and consume one another be careful that you do not annihilate yourselves.” Galatians 5:15

Earlier this week, a reader wrote to me in bewilderment. The situation she shared with me involved an unprovoked social media altercation. According to her account, a friend had posted that her parish priest begun offering the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass ad orientem, that is to say, with his back to the people. The reader informed me that she commented on her friend's post saying: "Perhaps soon, he will offer the mass in Latin. That would be a blessing!"

Based on what she described (and the accompanying screenshots), that comment upset another user who began to offer some extremely uncharitable comments and generalizations about Catholics who attend the Traditional Latin Mass.

This morning, a friend of mine shared a story with me of a similar situation (also with screenshots of the ordeal). Again, another unprovoked attack with some very choice language used to describe Traditional Catholics.

I told him it came as no surprise. Just last evening, I had a similar experience. A friend of mine posted on Facebook that she was attending her first Latin Mass. Among the many comments wishing her blessings and expressing preference for the Latin Mass, I noted that once I had my first encounter with tradition, I found myself unable to return to the novus ordo missae. No more than five minutes later, I received a notification of a private message. It was from a man who apparently saw my comment and took it upon himself to send me a message expressing his disdain for Traditional Catholics. Like the other accounts, he made generalizations and used some unbecoming language. I'd never met this individual, nor did I have any previous interaction with him. 

I knew that trolls were a dime a dozen on social media and when it came to attacks, this wasn't my first rodeo. I've made it a habit not to engage this type of individual. Thus, I blocked him. A few moments later, I received yet another private message. It was the same man using what was apparently his secondary account. Ignoring his first comment and blocking him clearly set him off.

His second message read:

"Yep tradism is putting out saints by the truckload. So full of charity. You show the trad colors nicely. Never met one who could have a discussion. Pricks."

Now, I don't profess to be an expert on etiquette, and I'm going just out on a limb here, but maybe the reason he's "never met one who could have a discussion" is because of his approach. Just a hunch.

I blocked his second account.

You might recall that in the weeks before issuing the motu proprio, traditionis custodes, Pope Francis began to use his Wednesday audiences to launch passive aggressive jabs at those he referred to as "rigid Catholics." (He made similar passive aggressive jabs in the weeks after he issued the motu proprio.)

In fact, the Holy Father essentially said that the very reason he issued traditionis custodes was because Traditional Catholics were attacking their fellow Catholics and creating division.

I have a hard time believing that allegation.

Independent studies have shown that only 30% of average Catholics believe that the Eucharist is the body of Christ, and not merely a symbol. With that in mind, I can't help but think that even less of a percentage of your average Catholics know what a Traditional Catholic is, much less feel attacked by them.

Throughout his papacy, and especially after his pagan Pachamama party, the Holy Father's obtuse words and actions have left many Catholics scratching their heads. When they've had enough of being bewildered by Bergoglio, a good number of them find their way to tradition and they don't look back. I'll give it to Francis; he deserves a gold plaque beneath his photo in every traditional church. A plaque that reads, "Salesman of the Month."

But in so much as he has been one of the best salesmen for tradition in a long time, he's also been our worst enemy. Not simply for issuing traditionis custodes, but for the gaslighting campaign he launched to accompany his reckless act.

Catholics who suffer from the spiritual illness known as "The Francis Effect" saw his motu proprio as a battle cry. Through his words, they were convinced that their brothers and sisters who prefer tradition were enemies that should be attacked whenever the opportunity presented itself. Social media provides such an opportunity on a frequent basis.

The goal of their attack is simple. They engage us hoping for a reaction so that they can proclaim, "See, Pope Francis was right! These people are nasty Catholics. He warned us!"

It's a lose/lose battle. If we say something, we're nasty. If we don't ... well ... we're still nasty. Pricks, apparently.

So why have we seen an uptick in these attacks over the last week? It doesn't take a theologian to point out the obvious: it's Lent. As Christ spent 40 days in the desert, the devil made every effort to get under His skin. If Our Lord was attacked by the father of lies, we can't expect that our 40-day journey will be any different.

Like Our Lord, we cannot allow ourselves to be deceived, impacted, or provoked by such assaults. Enduring these attacks for the simple fact that we are Traditional Catholics, indeed proves that we are doing something proper and right -- and that the devil hates it.

Remember that dogs don't chase parked cars.

If we desire to be with Christ for eternity, we must expect that in some form, we will walk our own Via Dolorosa. Indeed, we will be mocked, attacked, and exiled. Still, we will not be stopped. We will continue to walk the road less traveled that ultimately leads to our eternal reward. Therefore, I urge you to avoid engaging those who would assail you. I can assure you that no good will come of it. Instead, make an effort to pray in a special way for the attackers. Offer the Stations of the Cross for them. Maintain the spirit of Lent at all costs. As St. John Chrysostom said, "For what good is it if you don't eat meat or poultry, and yet you bite and devour your fellow man?"

As Traditional Catholics, let us be to one another Simon of Syrene, and help bear the burden of one another's cross on our road to an Easter of unending joy.

Pax tecum.

Jeremy Dannebohm