A Great Battle

Posted on by charliej373

CttK

By Charlie Johnston

Our announcement Wednesday on the site concerning Fr. Michel Rodrigue prompted Mark Mallett to contact me with a cry of foul. Beckita had talked with me several days before publishing the announcement and I concurred with her judgment. Mark copied me on a note he sent to a reader who was concerned about the announcement. It reiterated the reasons for the decision the folks at Countdown to the Kingdom (CttK) made to keep publishing Fr. Michel’s messages, reasons that are entirely legitimate. It read, in part:

“…for Beckita to publicly posture herself as being “obedient,” and thus, that we are “disobedient”in spirit is disingenuous, given the facts. That, and it’s divisive. Does she forget that I likewise promoted Charlie’s messages at a time when he did not have the “support” of his bishop either? She was fine with that then… but suddenly we are now disobedient? I see a double-standard.

Moreover, several of the seers on our website do not have the “support” of their bishops. And that is almost always the case with living seers. In fact, the more authentic they are, generally, the more silent the bishops tend to be! (Pedro Regis, Luz de Maria do have some level of support, but this is rare). At the same time, no seers on our website have been given an official negative ruling, which one must obey.

Beckita doesn’t know us; she doesn’t know the conversations that we are having behind the scenes, carefully weighing everything with the desire to be obedient above all else. We had to weigh the conversions and fruits we are hearing from those watching Fr. Michel’s videos against a decision to remove those videos when nothing canonically or even prudently suggests, at this time, that we need to. Should the bishop or Fr. Michel ask that the material be removed, that is another story.”

Mark certainly has some reasonable points, though I disagree with his interpretation on several. First, Beckita’s discernment was more a matter of our judgment than obedience. Beckita specifically acknowledged that CttK had done what Bishop Lemay had requested, so she did not accuse them of disobedience. Couching the decision within the “spirit of obedience” was a phrase that could imply CttK was not as obedient as we are, even though she had specifically acknowledged its obedience in the sentence before. It was, perhaps, an unfortunate choice of words on our part.

Mark notes that he had highlighted me when no determination had been made about my messages by my Archbishop. I think he both makes – and misses -a point here. The point he misses is that, the first time he wrote about me, my Archbishop had expressed no public opinion, positive or negative about me – there were only rumblings that he was going to appoint a commission for an initial investigation of me, which he did. Even so, there is a valid point being made here, for the judgment we have made in this case is not for every case. I can easily see situations arise where we would quote a purported seer whose Bishop has publicly criticized them without making a formal inquiry. So, at the heart of this is that it is a matter of judgment, rather than obedience. In such a case as this, Mark is right. It is our judgment that is at variance, not our obedience.

Mark Mallett has done some marvelous and consoling work. In fact, his piece just yesterday, “Science Will Not Save Us,” is one I admire and heartily agree with every sentence of. The similarities between our subject matter and our approach on many things is obvious. But there are a few significant dissimilarities that will occasionally and inevitably lead to discordance.

In the first place is the eschatology. Mark and his colleagues are open to, if not always insistent on, arguments that the actual end is nigh and the actual Antichrist may be at hand. I subscribe to the Augustinian eschatology which the Church routinely teaches, if not formally defines. It is not just because the Church teaches it, but because from the first I became aware, in childhood, of the potential for a grave crisis over the whole earth during my lifetime, it was reiterated emphatically and repeatedly that this was NOT the end. While Mark and I agree on the peace to follow trials, he often posits it as a brief period of peace while I insist it will be an extended era of peace. That is a substantial difference in outlook.

As incongruous as it sounds, at the old site and this, I consistently maintained that even authentic prophecy is uncertain because of our penchant to misinterpret – and warned that even the seemingly most straightforward things could be the cause of our stumbling because of that. With equal consistency, I insisted that once the battle began, what we do and our habits of mind are far more important than what we think we know, that extended speculation on such things at that time would only distract and lead us down rabbit holes. Regardless of how the Wuhan Virus scare pans out now, we have opened up consequences far beyond what we know by this – and the battle has begun. CttK focuses on what it asserts that God is going to do to and for us, and how we are to respond to His actions. Perfectly legitimate, but I maintain that ever since Fatima (actually, since Lourdes – though it was more subtle there), God has been showing us what He expects of us; that when these events begin, He expected us to show Him, by our resolve, fidelity and fortitude in His service and in proclaiming His Kingdom to a dying world order, our devotion to Him – and He would respond to that by making us participants in ushering in the Triumph of the Immaculate Heart. Thus, CttK’s approach is Hunker Down – and refine your piety in preparation for the Master. It is an acceptable approach, but it is far different from ours which is Go Forth – and demonstrate your fidelity by your actions. It is inevitable that there will be significant points of conflict between these two views.

Finally, there is the matter of refuges. Over the last few years I have visited and encouraged people who have set aside property, using the money they have now to help others in times of trial later. I think that to be a noble sacrifice of self and a worthy offering. CttK is sympathetic to and promotes voices who say that God is going to round up many or all of the faithful and take them to places of safety while everyone else gets smacked down and battered by the storm. I will confess I do not just disagree with that, but believe it to be profoundly anti-Christian and directly contrary to what we are called to do in these times. In the first place, these last few generations the faith has been systematically assaulted from without and riotously attacked from within. The Lord’s house has been looted. Every generation is called to be caretakers of the Master’s house. During our time, it has been systematically looted. Do we really expect to be rewarded because we did not actually participate in the looting? We have utterly failed to defend the faith, hearten the faithful, and defend the faithful and now we expect to be declared a protected faithful remnant because even though, utterly failing our duty, we did not actually participate in the looting?! If the first Christians’ faith went no further than this, Christianity would not have gotten off the ground in the first place. And we expect to be congratulated for meeting this low and ineffective bar. I think we have failed miserably, all of us, but God, in His mercy, is giving us a final chance to show that we are worthy to be called Christian – and His children. This is our proving ground, not our shelter.

I think that a big part of our duty is to try to see what God wants – and then discipline ourselves to want the same thing. God calls all men to salvation; He wants none of those He created to perish, even while knowing that many will. We are to participate with Him in calling our brothers to salvation. I cannot reconcile that with the “refuge movement” as described by Fr. Michel and John Leary. In fact, I think the doctrine of such a “refuge movement” is directly contrary to what God calls us to.

In our little community here, many readers agreed with our decision, some disagreed. We try to reason together, knowing that there are many points now and many ahead on which we will disagree.

There are substantial conflicts between our approach at ASOH and, even, our understanding of what is happening around us and what we are called to with that of CttK. That is inevitably going to lead to some significant contradictions along the way. Whenever that arises, I pledge to acknowledge the dispute candidly, while simultaneously acknowledging both the good will and good work of those who take other approaches, hoping for the same end – the resurrection and renewal of faith in the world.

 

 

 

237 thoughts on “A Great Battle”

    1. O Holy Spirit, beloved of my soul, I adore You. Enlighten me, guide me, strengthen me, console me. Tell me what I should do; give me Your orders. I promise to submit myself to all that You desire of me and to accept all that You permit to happen to me. Let me only know Your Will.

      Liked by 7 people

    4. Actually it sure does feel like we are walking on a very tight tight rope!!! Big fight at Kroger’s a few hours back and we were there!!! Yelling screaming and many cops came!!! Yikes!!! We hid behind the bananas!!!🍌 🙄🙄

      Like

    5. All that is hidden will come to light. I believe the Holy Spirit moves till all is brought to light. Our Lady did the same in Akita after Fatima… I am delighted Countdown to the Kingdom has discerned to allow the messages to remain. That is the call of the prophet and the Lord always warns His people before He acts. 😇

      Liked by 2 people

    1. http://usccb.org/bible/1corinthians/1
      …10
      I urge you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree in what you say, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and in the same purpose.f 11For it has been reported to me about you, my brothers, by Chloe’s people, that there are rivalries among you. 12I mean that each of you is saying, “I belong to* Paul,” or “I belong to Apollos,” or “I belong to Cephas,” or “I belong to Christ.”g 13* Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? …

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  3. I think this is an clever distraction from heartening the faithful that the Enemy is delighting in. It almost sounds like the Pharisees disputing among themselves. Careful…

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  5. Honestly, I thought that the Bishop’s statement was clear as mud, and that CttK did the right thing in leaving them up. He didn’t even say that he had discerned any reason to be dubious of Fr. Rodrigue’s messages, just that he doesn’t agree with certain concepts. A bishop can certainly “not support” eschatological concepts if they contradict the teachings of the Church, but otherwise it is just his subjective tastes. It made no sense to me, particularly, that he “doesn’t support” the concept of an Era of Peace, specifically, when the early Fathers of the Church and Our Lady of Fatima explicitly say that there will be such an Era. Other concepts, such as the Warning, while supported by some saints and other visionaries, are more debatable. And even further concepts, such as “World War III” and “Chastisements” seem like they are standard fare in Marian apparitions. Overall, it is pretty confusing.

    One also scratches their head at the disconnect between Fr. Rodrigue being allowed to be superior of a religious order and a Diocesan exorcist when, at the same time, the Bishop apparently thinks his messages are false and the messages kooky.

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    1. The bishop didn’t say he thought the messages were false or cookie, he just said that he doesn’t hold certain opinions.

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  6. Charlie, I agree with Marks response to you in this matter and can understand why he took umbrage.

    I also don’t this this is a fair characterization you make here, and have made before where you said “ CttK is sympathetic to and promotes voices who say that God is going to round up many or all of the faithful and take them to places of safety while everyone else gets smacked down and battered by the storm.“

    I have never seen Mark or others including Fr. Michel say that but you have said multiple times and I wish you’d reconsider because I think you’re off on this. The refuges are not about hiding places where we will be kept safe while everyone not in them gets smacked down.

    I think you’ve mistaken the point of the refuges. It might help if you think of them more as field hospitals where the ones that are going to need to be tended to are nurtured back to spiritual and physical health after they become refugees from the worst of the tribulation. The refuges will be very difficult places to live within but will be a faithful community working together in difficult conditions to regroup and rebuild, living very simply.

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    1. Charlie , having seen Father Michel in person Twice and hosted Mark Mallet at our conference, I feel you have mis represented both of them . You got the refugees all wrong that is not the teaching of Mark or Father Michel . There is a great d v d on father Michel that is just him in front of the camera telling us what The Lord told him. Maybe seeing him out of context of being at a conference would help . As for Mark , go back read ALL his postings ! The Holy Spirit is at work in him . I don’t follow you or your site, I can see you have a good heart , and I know that Mark and the whole cdttk team as well have good hearts and the info I get from them and their site has made me a better Catholic Christian. “ I came that you may have life in abundance ! But the enemy steals, kills, and destroys “ Lets not let him steal kill and destroy.

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    2. I greatly respect Fr. Mark Goring, a Companions of the Cross priest who has been discerning Fr. Rodrigue’s messages. In his brief talk, Make Your Home a PLACE OF REFUGE ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BBLgupuj0-0&t=70s ) , Fr. Goring encourages us to make our own home a refuge. He also discusses Fr. Rodrigue’s bishop’s statement and emphasizes the importance of obedience. Fr. Goring himself demonstrated obedience to his superiors on a matter in 2019: https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/superior-orders-outspoken-priest-on-sex-abuse-scandal-to-cease-and-desist I really enjoy Father’s homilies and I think most of the TNRS team will also!

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      1. Yes I could see making our house a refuge… I feel michael and I have made one here and our parish feels a place of refuge too… maybe people are expecting more than meets Gods eyes or misinterpreting Gods plan! Who knows??? I guess just be simple like a child and wait, watch and see!!!🙂

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  7. 100% with you, Charlie!! There is a profound difference of outlook. I feel peace here, fighting, and terror there, just waiting. We look for the same end, but the means are entirely different.

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  8. I really appreciate this piece, Charlie. Like all things spiritual and temporal, we don’t all have the same job to do or the same gifts and tools to do it with. A great hockey team has a goalie, defenseman ,centerman, forward, and winger. The goalie may think the forward isn’t doing his job right, but while he’s pointing that out, he’s failing to tend the nets and the opponent’s shot gets by. Let Mark be Mark and Charlie be Charlie. We’re all on the same team coached by God. Now, let’s get out and cool ol sparky’s hot butt on our ice. We were made for such a time as this!

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    1. Bingo, Simone. You said precisely what is important to focus on now. Charlie, Mark, and Fr Michel each have their own missions and each is doing it well. The ship is going down, let’s not allow the adversary to inflame infighting amongst us as we rearrange the deck chairs. We are all on the same team. Instead let’s together focus our fire on the adversary and see if we can save this ship while each doing our own job.

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      1. Totally agree with this and think it’s really important to get it right going forward if Charlie is correct that Protestants and Jews are to be treated as equal partners in renewal. We are going to have to work with people and groups that are *actually* in theological error…not just making different judgement calls. I’m not advocating squishy ecumenism that ignores fundamental differences. I think we stand unapologetically in who we are, what we believe, our approach etc. This site has done a magnificent and laudable job in doggedly keeping its specific focus. My concern (and I’m probably shredding a dead horse at this point) is that defining ourselves in comparison to coworkers has the (unintended?) effect of discrediting them to others and discouraging them personally. It would be akin to working together with a Protestant group on a shared Christian mission and publicly announcing something along the lines of “ hey this group does not have the power of the Eucharist or the truth of the Magisterium, but they do great work.” Before I converted, I was routinely treated that way by Catholics and it really stunk. My contributions were treated as less than out of the gate. There is a time to clarify theological difference and even differences in judgement, but publicly leading with those in clarifying your own mission (even while praising aspects of their work) does not exactly exude a spirit of solidarity. I still laugh at my Opus Dei friends who felt it necessary to introduce me at parties in some variation of shes really really great, but Protestant. Um thanks? I don’t see the need to define others. That’s their job. Flowers in a garden is such a great analogy.

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    2. YUP!!!
      ….& ALL the Folks referenced here may be F-of-S …… BUT …… 1 Thessalonians 5:
      “Extinguish not the spirit. Despise not prophecies. But prove all things: hold fast that which is good. From all appearance of evil refrain yourselves.”
      … and most importantly, in my simple opinion, … Jesus, I Trust in You! …. Ya can’t go wrong with that … in my simple opinion…. Right!?

      GOD SAVE ALL HERE!!

      Liked by 8 people

    3. Simone, are you the same Simone who, if I remember correctly, is the daughter-in-law of Leslyek? If so, hi and nice to see you again! If not, then hi anyway! 🙂

      Liked by 2 people

  9. Why do I read posts here on ASOH? I do not read for prophesy, although do not object when any might be offered– but such is not a primary interest. I do not read to know what God would like me to think or do. I PRAY, to absorb my personal guidance, in faith that God is everywhere active continuously. I read ASOH, because I find that it has reliably reinforces my own sense of what’s going on now, and how it may relate to history. Charlie is gifted at sifting the truth from the “news,” clarifying, and crystallizing what I have been myself working through.

    Those who are interested in active seers have not been in the slightest blocked from their interests. The seers have not been besmirched by literal statement or by implication. Instead, it was simply explained that prophesy is not the focus here. I suppose that because I am not a practicing Catholic, although believing in the divinity off Christ, I’m not sensitive to discussion about what relevant bishops may think or not about contemporary prophesy.

    My personal reliance for guidance is on the conscience given me by God when I came to live, and on His ongoing guidance. In my old age, I’ve come to realize that I have had the benefit of minor miracles, and that realization supports my conviction that God is ever present and ever active– but I also now realize I cannot personally fathom God’s works, although I have tried in the past to apply science to understand how this world functions. My final published writing about science, and it’s ability to fathom Creation–was that it cannot in principle accomplish that goal. God will remain a profound mystery to us as mortal.

    Liked by 14 people

  10. I would like to offer A Sign of Hope. Archbishop Gomez Re-Consecrated the United States to Mary today. This is May Day, when many Catholic Schools and Catholic Churches around the world would be crowning Mary, Our Queen, for the month of May; however, due to the Shelter in Place orders, they are not able to. Since, most cannot do this, Archbishop Gomez, in his role as President of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), led us in the US in this renewal of our Consecration and the Crowning of Mary. (This was also accomplished in Canada by their hierarchy.) We heard a Gospel from John (19:25-27) on Jesus’ Crucifixion, where Mary remained faithfully at the foot of the Cross, and she was given to all of us as Our Mother, and we were given to her, as her children. We were led in decades of the Rosary in both English in Spanish. This Consecration was also for the intention of ending the Coronavirus Pandemic throughout the world. St. Joseph was also called on, as today is in honor of St. Joseph the Worker. EWTN carried this wonderful event.
    Our Bishop Jaime Soto repeated this for our Diocese of Sacramento at 2 PM.
    I think we are all called to re-dedicate ourselves to Our Lord Jesus and to Our Mother, the Blessed Virgin Mary, now, this month, especially in these times.
    This is my opinion, I think there is a danger in the world right now to be very contentious. Much of the discussion about the virus and pandemic and what should be done has become so politicized that it is difficult to get a good news report of just what is going on. Over the years, as an active member of the Marian Movement, I saw the contentiousness of different factions who supported one apparition or another. When we act this way, we can become a very poor witness to our Protestant and other brothers and sisters. I love being a part of this community. I also love Mark Mallett. There are some differences between the different groups, but we both have the same goal, the Glory of God, the Salvation of Souls, the Triumph of Mary’s Immaculate Heart, the Reign of the Sacred and Eucharistic Heart of Jesus, and the Era of Peace. I appreciate Charlie’s recognition of the good article from Mark on Science. I think it is right to recognize our differences, but also have respect for our brothers and sisters, and look for how we agree as well.
    I for one, am so glad for the Crowning of Our Lady today in these two different ceremonies of Consecration. Mary is Our Queen! We will repeat the prayers of Consecration as a family this weekend. I invite all of you to consider doing the same. Please pray for our brothers and sisters, especially those with whom we may not agree. Pray for Peace. Pray to see the good in each other, and that we often have common goals, even if our methods and perspectives differ. Pray for discernment and right judgment. I love all of you, my brothers and sisters in service of the Kingdom of God.

    Liked by 18 people

    1. “Mary is Our Queen! ”
      After reading from the quote below, forever after this is what comes to mind regarding Our Blessed Mother.
      Father Gabriel Amorth, former Chief Exorcist of the Vatican:
      When you pray Holy Mary Mother of God, pray for us sinners now…the Blessed Mother comes instantly to your side to pray with you. And she does not come alone. She brings angels with her. And not just one or two for she is the Queen of Angels, so choirs of angels come with her. And she and Jesus are joined at the heart and cannot be separated so she brings Jesus with her. And Jesus cannot be separated from the Trinity so He brings the Father and the Holy Spirit with Him. And where the Holy Trinity is all of creation is and you are surrounded by such beauty and light as you cannot imagine in this life. Your Mother comes as Our Lady of Grace with her hands out-stretched. Rays of light emit from her hands piercing your body, healing you and filling you with graces. This is your inheritance which was poured out from the heart of Jesus on the Cross, when the centurion pierced His Heart with the spear, into the only pure vessel ready to receive such graces at that time,Your Mother. Now as you pray the Rosary, or even just recite one Hail Mary, you receive your portion of these graces.”He also said at this time, “Anyone who goes to Mary and prays the Rosary cannot be touched by Satan.” Is it any wonder that anyone who prays the Rosary from the heart is so blessed and protected and powerful in their prayers for others?”
      -The Late Father Gabriel Amorth, former Chief Exorcist of the Vatican

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    2. I was actually at St Paul’s today when this was happening and I was ALL ALONE with Jesus, Mary and ALL THE HEAVENLY COURT!!! 😁 so I took my ear buds out and blasted the consecration on full volume throughout the church!!! Singing (not too well) with all the songs during the consecration!!! It was GLORIOUS and it was my Next right step and place of refuge!!! I’m so APPRECIATIVE that St Paul’s let’s us be with our Lord!!!!

      Liked by 5 people

    4. Well said, Deon. There is indeed more that unites us than divides us.
      The beautiful Marian Consecration should be accentuated here with an Ave Maria (diff. version).

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        1. Glad you enjoyed it, AgentJ9; I was always confused seeing both Caccini and Vavilov as composers, but then saw this posted comment on y.t..
          “The music is definitely NOT composed by Caccini but by Vladimir Vavilov. Vavilov, living in Russia, ruled by the sovjet comunists, decided to use the name of Caccini for to be able to publish his work. The Krem..did not allow to publish religious music of contemporan composers – they all had to be atheists … – but if you use the name of an past-time composer, you could publish an unknown composition. . That’s the reason, why Vavilov used the name of Caccini as an alias.”

          (Andrea Bocelli and Libera also have awesome renditions of this but I try to find ones that have the most spiritually edifying visuals as well.)

          Liked by 4 people

          1. That’s interesting about Vavilov, Maggie. I didn’t know that!!
            My favourite version has always been a boys choir from France. I wanted to link it but can’t find them. They have others similar but not quite as good.
            Your version certainly has wonderful “spiritually edifying visuals” as you said. The song alone always sends my spirit soaring to the “heavenlies”. I think it’s the only song that ever does that to such an extent. I can honestly say it is my favourite song of all songs…..so thank you for the special gift.
            In the very sad 2004 movie of the life of Modigliani, there is a part of the movie where Modigliani, his bitter rival, Picasso, and maybe 3 others compete in the Paris Annual Art Competition. The camera focuses on each artist separately while they are passionately working on the piece of art they want to enter into this competition. The song played in the background is Caccini’s Ave Maria. Their passion combined with this passionate song is breathtaking….well, it was to me!!!
            Thanks again for helping me to refocus on something I love….music and the arts!

            Liked by 1 person

    5. In the forest where I live, I attended the Renewal of the Consecration of the United States of America to the Blessed Virgin Mary while sitting in Sister Jeep, with my laptop, outside of a building with free Internet. It was a blessing to be able to participate with you-all and with so many from all over the country if not the world.

      For some reason, I found the hashtag at the end quite touching: #ConsecratedCountries.

      I am aware of the painful divisions ~ various kinds of divisions ~ among serious Christians, let alone a multitude of those who do not yet follow Christ. An image that I’ve held lately, which is also a prayer, is of the Blessed Mother fervently desiring and praying for peace among all of her beloved children.

      Liked by 8 people

  11. Sounds reasonable, Charlie. I know I’m comfortable here in this family, where we can exchange ideas and enjoy each other’s company “virtually”. Thank you!

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  13. It’s really a blessing that we can ponder and discuss things now, even when it seems a little factionally. Once the really debilitating challenges commence, I figure we’ll get after the coalition building in earnest… or pay the price.

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  14. I belong to an ecumenical charismatic community. We regularly wait for God to speak because we take His words seriously. After almost 50 years we’ve learned a lot about discerning “words.” A few months ago we heard God say that we had been praying for a long time for mass conversions and renewal and He was going to answer our prayers. Then a month or so later Wuhan erupted. Who could have guessed? In Narnian terms, I would say that Asian is on the move.

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  15. I love Mark Mallett, and trough his amazing and God inspired writings I found out about Charlie!

    I love Charlie and learned so much trough him.

    I love Bekita who personally helped me so much and led me to an amazing evangelist Stella Davis.

    I love father Rodrigue …his messages are full of hope and give deeper inside into our times.
    They fill me with peace!!!

    There are many flowers in God’s garden …all are so beautiful!

    So very greatful for all of you.

    There are a lot of thirsty souls out there who desire to drink from wisdom given to Mark, Charlie and Father Rodrigue!

    I personally love reading from all of you and it truly fills me with hope and love.

    Bible says …. bishop against bishop …

    Let’s not do catholic against catholic

    Let’s stay away from division.

    To me general message is absolutely same
    Prepare, love, pray ..!

    Details maybe different!

    Love you all !!!❤️❤️❤️

    Liked by 26 people

    2. Love you too, Dorothy. My dear mother’s name. ❤

      I have enjoyed reading and or listening to all of the above as well. I remember these wise words from Charlie and have taken them to heart, have quoted them online and printed numerous copies which are taped to several locations around the house, that –

      "Being true means treating argumentation as a means of drawing closer to the truth, not as contest for dominance."

      In my heart I do believe that is what is occurring here, only since things are *getting real* it is happening at a fevers pitch. We seem to all desire to draw closer to Truth.

      Liked by 6 people

  16. All I know is I wish EVERYONE would order a copy of Desmond A Birch Trial, Tribulation and Triumph before during and after antichrist!!! It’s so simply written and clearly understood that Antichrist DOESNT come around until way after we are gone!!! “arguments that the actual end is nigh and the actual Antichrist may be at hand” is just not on the near horizon!!! I like Fr Rodrigue because he’s French and he’s funny but I really never bought into that stuff!!! I like it fine JUST RIGHT HERE…Acknowledging God, taking the next right step (and sometimes wrong step) getting back up again, and trying my absolute hardest to be a sign of hope to anyone who God puts in my path!!! It’s so freeing and so simple!!! Love it!!! Love you all too!!! 🤗❤️😘🙏🌹📿😇

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    1. Linda, there’s no disagreement. Rather Fr Michel and others say, and I fully concur, that there’s another little a antichrist now as there have been already (Hitler, Stalin etc) and the big A Antichrist (the devil) who doesn’t come till The End. Everyone is on the same page but there sure is a lot of confusion about that

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      2. I can assure you the “little ” Anti Christ walking the streets of Europe now will make Lenin, Zedong, Marx, Pot, Hitler, and Stalin look cute. We all need to get and remain HOLY…

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      3. I am among those who posit that the antichrist of our times is the whole of Freemasonry and all its human agents active in all our institutions of power and influence, and that the one, physical antichrist will be at the very end of the world. Isn’t Mary’s special role to defeat the powers of Freemasonry? Is that not what we are seeing trying to engulf the world as we speak?

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        1. I think the antichrist of our times are all the “isms!!!” Liberalism, socialism, materialism and communism!😩 also to that are all the fake news people who promote all those icky isms!!!😩

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          1. Linda, that would be more categorically be referred to as “the spirit of antichrist”.  Anitichrist is a real person according to church teaching.—- Sent from Doug’s Back Pack

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            1. From Desmond fb page: sort of funny too for I have crawled into a hole myself covered in hives!!!! 😂😂😂 offering it up for now but going to dr tomorrow!!! I hate the hives!!!! Lol

              Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
              THIS IS PROBABLY ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT MESSAGES I HAVE EVER POSTED HERE

              I find that quite a number of people today are getting somewhere between depressed to desperate about the state of things in this world. It is only natural that if this emotional tension is allowed to go on in their lives – they start looking for some hole to crawl into. How do I know? Because I went through all this in the 1970’s.

              What I think we are entering into now is a period and event foretold by quite literally many dozens of Canonized Saints, Blessed, Venerable and other holy Catholic souls who are approved by the Church. I’ve always referred to this event as a ‘chastisement’ – most specifically – as the ‘Minor Chastisement’.

              In this period, the vast majority of the willfully malicious enemies of Christ and his Church are foretold to die. Only a small percentage of Jesus’ willful enemies will be left to convert to Him – and be allowed to live to give witness to what they were and what, by the grace of God, they will then become, baptized members of His Church, faithful members of his Mystical Body.

              For years as a much younger married man, I kept looking for ‘the safe place’ I could take my family to keep them from what was coming. I thought of Portugal and Ireland, even South America, etc. I finally realized, finally admitted to myself, that each area I looked at as possible safe haven also had Church approved prophets who prophesied the same kind of Chastisement as in other places.

              According to all the Saints, Blessed, & Venerable who speak of this period – this Minor Chastisement will not be avoidable anywhere! It will be shared by all!

              That is when and why I finally buckled down to the understanding that the Church knows what she is talking about when She dogmatically teaches us that the Church is, and her members are, OBLIGATED to Evangelize through their acts and words on the highways and byways, in their cities, towns, neighborhoods, etc.

              The immensely rare occasion of monks and nuns who are validly called to live the life of a hermit (in a remote place?) – doesn’t apply to the other 99.9999% of the rest of us. Our job is to be active witnesses for Christ – first by the way we live our faith daily in LOVE OF GOD AND NEIGHBOR, IN HOPE and, after acting like a Christian, witnessing with words of that love. That is cryptically summed up by both St. Francis of Assisi and St. Theresa of Calcutta.

              Since I woke up to the fact that that is both the message of God’s authentic prophets as well as the Dogmatic teaching of the Church – I have simply come to try, to the best of my ability, to live every day as if it were my last [rather than trying to look for some safe hole to crawl into].

              I don’t know if I’ll even be alive this afternoon in a couple of hours, let alone tomorrow. If I don’t live every day as if it were my last, and live and speak as a faithful living witness to others for Christ and His Church, what will I tell Him at my judgment? Will he buy into the excuse that I needed to try to find a hidden or remote place with no risks??? I learned from the Church and Her Saints that there is no way or place to be a faithful Christian without risk.

              The oral tradition of the Church tells us that when Nero’s persecution was at its height in Rome, St. Peter – knowing the pagan Romans were looking for him to put him to death – took off down the Apian Way as he left Rome. Suddenly there was Jesus walking toward him. Peter said to Him, “Where are you going?” Jesus replied, “I am going to Rome to be crucified again”. Peter got the message, turned back around, and walked back into the heart of the city of Rome. Peter stopped looking for a safe place, for a hole to hide in. I pray Jesus will never have to say he is going to take my place in trials and suffering.

              All my love in Christ

              Desmond

              Liked by 2 people

      4. In each century since the inception of the Church, there have been multiple ‘a’ntichrists’ [spelled with a small ‘a’] who fit the definition of them by St. John the Apostle. There will of course be only one ‘A’ntichrist – the big daddy of them all who comes approximate to/very close to, the very end of the world and its time.

        What I think we are entering into now, is an event foretold by quite literally many dozens of Canon Saint, Blessed, Venerable and other holy Catholic souls approved by the Church. I’ve always referred to it as a ‘chastisement’ – most specifically – as the ‘Minor Chastisement’. That is to compare it with the Great Tribulation of the Antichrist to come proximate to the end of time. All of this is also the consistent teaching of Fathers and Doctors of the Church going back to the first century, and much of it is also Scriptural – and part of the Traditional Eschatology of the Church.

        In this period referred to as the ‘Minor Chastisement’, the vast majority of the willfully malicious enemies of Christ and his Church will die. Only a few of them will be left to convert to Christ – and be allowed to live to give witness to what they were and what, by the grace of God, they have now become, baptized members of His Church, faithful members of his Mystical Body.

        According to all the Saints, Blessed, & Venerable to speak of this period – this Minor Chastisement will not be avoidable. It will be shared by all. For years as a much younger married man, I kept looking for ‘the safe place’ I could take my family to keep them from what was coming. I thought of Portugal, then of Ireland, then South America, etc. I finally realized, finally admitted to myself that each area I looked at had Church approved prophets who prophesied the same kinds of events under the same set of circumstances.

        That is why I finally buckled down to the understanding that the Church knows what she is talking about when She dogmatically teaches us that the Church is and her members are obliged to Evangelize in the highways and byways. The immensely rare occasion of even monks and nuns who are validly called to live the life of a hermit – that doesn’t apply to the other 99.999% of the rest of us. Our job is to be active witnesses for Christ – first by the way we live our faith in LOVE & HOPE, and then only with words.

        Since I woke up to the fact that that is the message of God’s authentic prophets – I have simply come to try to the best of my ability to live every day as if it were my last. I don’t know if I’ll even be alive this afternoon in a couple of hours, let alone tomorrow. If I don’t live every day as if it were my last, and live and speak as a faithful witness to Christ and His Church, what will I tell Him at my judgment?

        All my love in Christ

        Desmond

        Liked by 4 people

        1. I love reading your views Desmond!!! No wonder you and Charlie get along so famously!!! I wish all here would get your book!!! TTT God bless and protect you and all yours dearest Desmond!!!

          Liked by 2 people

    2. I think Charlie and Bekita are off on this one. They reference all these things as if coming from a priest or from a bishop. Well, MY DISCERNMENT tells me it’s coming from God, the Father, to His children to prepare. Charlie pulls thoughts and assignments out of context. The message is asking all to prepare to be brothers and sisters and to guide those distraught to where they will find God’s Peace and Reconciliation. It’s a message of Love from Our Father to His Children. I am really disappointed in Charlie and Bekita. Let me end by saying this. If it is the Father of all mankind speaking, who are you to even raise an eyebrow!

      Liked by 3 people

      2. Barbara, I appreciate your candor here, and your focusing on a fundamental issue–how do each of us know or reason to believe what others say is true? By their past records of accurate prophesy? But their appointed status in a church? By what various church authorities say to affirm or discount any person or their prophesy?

        Where you believe you have the conviction of divine revelation from others I only have wonderment without conviction. I trust that if God wants me to know something, He will directly lead me into finding that truth or tell me in some way (a subtle inspiration or knowing). I have not myself been led to any current prophesies as the basis for belief and action– why am I left to wonder where others may be benefitted by divine revelation? It’s all a great mystery.

        I have no doubt that Charlie and Beckita work from good hearts, so I have no doubt about their good intentions here. Likewise, I have no doubt about your own sincerity.

        We may all peacefully coexist and appreciate each other, despite differences in our apparent means for believing how to live a righteous life.

        Liked by 4 people

    4. The Anti Christ is obviously walking on the Earth now. Time to go deeper into the Immaculate Hearts of Mary and Jesus and now lets not forget St. Joseph, Terror of Demons! God bless everyone…

      Liked by 7 people

  17. The debate is to big for lil-ole-me, but I will note that this:

    “God has been showing us what He expects of us; that when these events begin, He expected us to show Him, by our resolve, fidelity and fortitude in His service and in proclaiming His Kingdom to a dying world order, our devotion to Him – and He would respond to that by making us participants in ushering in the Triumph of the Immaculate Heart”

    matches perfectly with the Catechism section on Virtue (as well as Ripperberger’s lectures on that subject).

    That view of virtue implies an eschatology that lives in my hope and heart. Sri asks, “Why did Jesus live?” and answers, “to establish His kingdom”. Welp, its here, so cowboy up and be a Christian.

    Regarding “a dying world order” , will there be ceremonial forks we can stick in it?

    grace and peace.

    Liked by 5 people

  19. When Beckita put up that blog post a few days ago I had to investigate this priest on youtube.

    I watched two of his videos. the one about angels and demons was very interesting. In that he talked about guardian angels leading their humans to a refuge. Just previous to that he had mentioned Psalm 91.

    this link is to the USCCB website of Psalm 91 http://www.usccb.org/bible/psalms/91

    When he mentioned refuge immediately the line from Psalm 91 came to my mind. “Say to the LORD, “My refuge and fortress, my God in whom I trust.” He will rescue you from the fowler’s snare, from the destroying plague, He will shelter you with his pinions, and under his wings you may take refuge; his faithfulness is a protecting shield.”

    Liked by 11 people

  21. O my, a bit of a stir!
    I read Beckita’s piece the other day and understood that the messages of Fr Rodrigue were not going to be discussed on this site, that prophecy is not the prime focus here.

    I’m good with that.
    There may be physical refuge, but the refuge must start in the hearts of Jesus and Mary.
    God bless all here.

    Liked by 8 people

  22. Thanks for clarifying things Charlie, I’m still fine tuning my understanding of events & how to respond.

    The only refuge we need for now is the Sacred Heart of Jesus & Immaculate Heart of Mary to give us strength & guide us.

    Liked by 5 people

  23. The whole talk & concern about “refuges” seems to stem from the fear of “the mark of the beast”.

    I am by any means any kind of expert nor chosen on these topics, but I’ve been aware for a while now that the “beast marking” passage of Revelations may have been completed in part or full years ago:

    The world’s currencies are globalist controlled fiats even the USD, no one big or small can buy anything without one of these funny money, anyone who refused these globalist bankers control of their nation’s currency was murdered like Present Kennedy, so from a certain point of view, the prophecy was fulfilled, is a there a more to it? Who knows. The world currencies & trading is starting to crumble, so we have more reason to hope.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. There should be a “not” between “I am” and “by any” in my above post.

      I’ll also add that Jesus warned us about serving two masters God & mammon, a person will choose one over the other, and being marked on the head or hand could just be symbolic of worshipping mammon in thought & deed.

      Liked by 2 people

  24. I am a bit disheartened by this. I do think the tone and body of Mark’s work is being mischaracterized. This recent piece is just one of many where he has emphasized what is expected of us on behalf of our fellow man and as co-laborers. https://www.markmallett.com/blog/2020/04/27/on-faith-and-providence/
    I appreciate thoughtful decisions about what material to share, but didn’t see the need to reference Mark’s site at all. I too can understand why he took umbrage.

    Liked by 6 people

    1. I just wanted to share an excerpt of the piece Irish7 mentions above. Mark shares his conviction that we are here, emphatically *not* to “hunker down and work on personal piety”, but rather to work for the salvation of souls.

      “Trust in the Lord; share what you have; and seek first the Kingdom of God—and souls.
      ON REFUGES
      If your first thought is how you can make it to the Era of Peace, and not on how you can give your life to the Lord for the sake of souls, then your priorities are not in order. I’m not suggesting anyone seek martyrdom. God sends the crosses we need; no one needs to go looking for them. But if you are sitting on your hands right now, waiting for God’s angels to carry you off to a refuge… don’t be surprised if the Lord knocks you off your chair!

      Self-preservation is, in some ways, the antithesis of Christianity.”

      Liked by 6 people

    1. In January 2019, Lloyd was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor, which was subsequently revealed to be metastatic lung cancer that had spread to his liver, spine, and jaw.[8][9][10] His wife Vanessa had given birth to their first child, son Weston, around the time Lloyd received his diagnosis. He died on April 30, 2020, in Los Angeles at the age of 56.[11][12]
      https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sam_Lloyd

      Liked by 1 person

  26. Hi all. I hope and pray all are well. Just wanted to drop a quick post to let everyone know my thoughts and prayers have been with you all during these trying times. Hmmm, these trying times I am referring to are not the covid pandemic we are encountering. Rather the complete destruction of the world economy that is happening right before our very eyes. We discussed on this blog that a collapse of the economic/financial system could/would happen during “The Storm.” I at least, never expected a virus would be the cause of our economic demise. Like the scuttling of a ship, this virus that was loosed on the world and TPTB reaction has doomed our economic system as we know it today. Want proof, the gov doesn’t hand out $1200 beans and talk about $2000 per month if things weren’t really serious. Trillions of stimulus have been approved. Your Constitutional Rights Have Been Suspended. Yikes. Ignore all the propaganda commercials on radio and TV. Prepare for the worst and most importantly pray the Rosary. Sorry if this is a somewhat off the current topic but I’ve been busy trying to do my own very small part to help people through these crazy times. God Bless to All…

    Liked by 11 people

  27. ” An argument also began between them about who should be reckoned the greatest; 25. but he said to them, ‘Among the gentiles it is the kings who lord it over them, and those who have authority over them are given the title Benefactor. 26. With you this must not happen. No; the greatest among you must behave as if he were the youngest, the leader as if he were the one who serves. 27. For who is the greater: the one at table or the one who serves? The one at table, surely? Yet here am I among you as one who serves! 28. ‘You are the men who have stood by me faithfully in my trials; 29. and now I confer a kingdom on you, just as my Father conferred one on me: 30. you will eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and you will sit on thrones to judge the twelve tribes of Israel. 31. ‘Simon, Simon! Look, Satan has got his wish to sift you all like wheat; 32. but I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail, and once you have recovered, you in your turn must strengthen your brothers.'”
    Luke, 22 – Bíblia Católica Online

    I do not want anyone to take the following words to mean that I in any way question Bekita’s or Charlie’s words and discernment here. For I believe them to be acting in good faith according to what the Holy Spirit is telling them.

    Having said that unequivocally, I have to say that I have been watching for a week now the bruhaha (barroom brawl for those of you who don’t speak Irish) that has arisen among some Traditional Catholics over the status of the SSPX. Much disagreement has been generated over Church Militant’s reports on abuse and cover up of the same within the order. Even before that news broke there was a flurry of back and forth arguments over the appropriateness of attending SSPX Masses that were being held even as the local bishops had closed all public Masses in the face of the pandemic. The comments between some very prominent, and formerly friendly, commentators and the reactions in the blogs have been stunning in their vitriol and negativity.

    Now questions have arisen over the words of Fr. Michael Rodrigue . What is to be the response to the bishop’s statement that he does not believe things will develop as Fr. Rodrigue has been seeing in his visions? The resulting confusion is causing us to disagree over what this means.

    I have nothing to say as to who is right, or wrong, in these matters. I am fairly certain that in the long run who is right or wrong about these things will not matter for much.

    The pandemic and the resultant closure of almost all the churches in the western world, along with the sudden and profound shut down of most social and economic activity, has dramatically moved us into the visible midst of the storm. There can be no doubt that epic change is upon us and that we must cling to the Lord Jesus and to Mary, our mother, as our only safety. These are dangerous times for which there is no precedent and about which we have no past life experience to help form our reactions.

    The passage from Luke is breathtaking in what it shows us about our nature. Jesus had just instituted the Eucharist, one of the most profound moments in salvation history. The reaction of the Apostles is to begin arguing over who is the greatest (most correct?). Jesus responds to this by explaining who will be great in the kingdom. He further warns Peter that Satan will be sifting them like wheat but that they can recover and must then strengthen their brothers.

    Now is not the time to begin arguing with our brothers and sisters. Satan is again looking to sift us like wheat in an attempt to place us in position to be overcome by the storm. Dissention and lack of charity between ourselves is one of the products of that sifting.

    Now is the time to come together, seeking refuge in the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary. We are to seek refuge in attempting to do whatever it is that God is calling each of us individually to do. We who follow the Lord are to love and support each other, regardless of our differences, in seeing our way through these times. Jesus is praying for us that our faith will not fail.

    I pray for the Holy Spirit to powerfully guide and enlighten us that we may find our way through the present darkness.

    JT

    Liked by 9 people

    1. Not to worry, JT. A little tempestuous today, but there is no serious division. Just acknowledgment that there is a significantly different approach between us. Seems like everyone focused on that and few absorbed my comments about the good work Mark does. I have clarified those differences and I doubt there will soon be any need to discuss it further. Right here on these boards, we have many disagreements, almost all conducted in a fraternal spirit. I didn’t really see how this was any different.

      Liked by 13 people

      1. Charlie

        Newly formed CTTK Family is going trough a rough time,
        I think people would like to see
        more support from ASOH family specially since you went trough similar situation with bishop.

        That is All !!!

        This site is yours and it is obvious your writings are discussed here.

        More loving support and unity would be so much better then putting emphasis on differences between you!

        That is All !

        When I read your writings specially “ Into the whirlwind” I put my hand over my mouth with awe
        what an amazing and God inspired writing it was. I read Mark Mallett, father Rodrigue, Desmond, Bekita same feeling comes.

        You are all spiritual power houses, given to us for these days. To me personally the length of era of peace does not matter….
        I have learned from you ALL the storm is here and now and we need to pray and prepare!

        Together we are stronger though !

        You always protect the faithful and fight for the unjustly treated, father Rodrigue obviously is holly men so it it maybe puzzling for people your tough stand towards Mark and CTTK and stressing the differences instead promoting more unify approach.
        You obviously know things we do not but I am sharing with you my discernment that tells me you All teach same ..
        Little differences will Always be there that is what makes you All unique.

        Acknowledge God, take right next step and be sign of good to others ..
        I see it in All of you !

        It is sad when Charlie has a “fight “ with Mark.

        I am just a sheep yearning for a better, unify loving world!

        Liked by 4 people

      2. Charlie: I think you and Beckita handled things perfectly and I think think you are correct that there should be no need to discuss this particular situation any further.

        My thoughts were aimed more at the general uneasiness that is abroad which at times appears to be spilling over into acrimony between folks who would otherwise be supporting of each other. You are absolutely correct that we have been able to operate with great good will towards each other here. Which is one of the things I cherish about our sharing and relationships at ASOH.

        JT

        Liked by 4 people

    2. I agree, JT, that we should not be divided and fight with each other, but it’s good to have honest conversation. Openness is so important. Gotta get stuff out there, and we can do that in a respectful way. Good communication is paramount to any successful relationship.

      Liked by 5 people

  28. ” You can make things happen; you can watch things happen; or, you can wonder what just happened.”
    Capt Phil Harris, FV Cornelia Marie

    Perhaps St Paul can shed some light:

    http://www.usccb.org/bible/1corinthians/3

    5
    What is Apollos, after all, and what is Paul? Ministers* through whom you became believers, just as the Lord assigned each one.

    6
    I planted, Apollos watered, but God caused the growth.

    7
    Therefore, neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who causes the growth.

    8
    The one who plants and the one who waters are equal, and each will receive wages in proportion to his labor.

    9
    For we are God’s co-workers; you are God’s field, God’s building.

    Liked by 6 people

  29. fair enough Charlie, but you cannot deny that you were out on a much longer and weaker limb and predicting imminent end times incidents just a few years ago when Mark Mallet and you appeared together … in fact if i remember correctly it was Mark who distanced himself from your clearly stated conviction of predicted ‘imminence’ of events…. i suspect a little bit of shadenfreude opportunism by your site after the publication of Bishop’s distancing from Fr Michel pronouncements…. a distancing quite probably foisted on him from above since the idea that the Bishop was not fully aware of what Fr Michel was saying and predicting all through the creation of his new Vatican approved Order and refuge monasteries is clearly not a possibility… the Bishop has obviously only recently been leaned on by his superiors because of the run away viral progress of the recently created Countdown to Kingdom site…. Fr Michel is in fact merely relating a personal history of supernatural communications very similar to that which you yourself revealed with profound conviction until a few years ago …. your rejection of Fr Michel prophecy is not easy to understand since no church authority has outright rejected the content of Fr Michel but merely the Bishop has had to officially state he is not endorsing or promoting in any way the content of such prophecy … whilst not declaring it totally invalid …. a sensible stance from the church but quite innocuous really so for you to take a superior moral stand on
    Fr Michel prophecy is confusing brother ….

    Liked by 3 people

    1. BJ,
      I think Charlie is just clarifying his call. I don’t see sour grapes at all.
      I believe Fr Michel would clarify his vision if he was so ordered, but I think he is just living his call as he sees fit, just like Charlie does.
      TNRS and building a monastery are two different vocations.
      Charlie just wants those who come here to understand that.
      Simple enough.

      Liked by 4 people

  30. The short video ( https://wdtprs.com/2020/04/fun-video-traditional-mass-server-workout-in-time-of-coronavirus-lockdown/ )
    shows an altar boy staying in shape for when mass resumes.

    I guess we’d better start practicing genuflecting, kneeling, sitting, standing and saying “May the Lord be in my mind, on my lips and in my heart.” “May the Lord accept the sacrifice at your hands for the praise and glory of His name, for our good and the good of all His holy Church.” “Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed.”

    Liked by 3 people

  31. I just want to thank you, Charlie, for being a sign of hope for me. In these times that get overwhelming I have found comfort, hope and direction here. And am better able to do my small part to convey and pass along that message. You are all in my daily prayers and I will pray for all of us as Christians to work together to bring about this new era of peace and hope. ❤❤🤗🙏🔥

    Liked by 4 people

  32. I love the approach Charlie has taken at ASOH. Charlie’s writings have helped me to stay focused on my spiritual progress and to live one day a a time. I have stopped trying to figure out God’s plan. I am learning so much about how to endure the storm with his leadership and insights on the current events of the day. He has warned us repeatedly that prophecy can be easily misinterpreted thus I am wary of CttK and being led in the wrong direction. I trust Charlie’s judgment.

    Liked by 5 people

  33. “As incongruous as it sounds, at the old site and this, I consistently maintained that even authentic prophecy is uncertain because of our penchant to misinterpret – and warned that even the seemingly most straightforward things could be the cause of our stumbling because of that.
    CttK’s approach is ‘Hunker Down – and refine your piety in preparation for the Master.’ It is an acceptable approach, but it is far different from ours which is ‘Go Forth – and demonstrate your fidelity by your actions’. It is inevitable that there will be significant points of conflict between these two views.”
    (ASOH, CJ)

    “Doubt serves as a stimulus to the understanding for the investigation of truth. Therefore controversies of the teachers fulfill a proper and holy end. They (controversy) are also permitted in order, to make it known, that real science dwells in my Church more than in the combined study of all the holy and perfect teachers, and that she can make them wise above the wisdom of the worldly wise; that there is above them One, who is the Prompter of the wise (Wis. 7, 15), namely, Myself; who alone knows all and comprehends all; who weighs and measures, without ever being measured or comprehended (Wis. 9, 13); that men, although they may search my judgments and testimonies ever so much, cannot attain them, unless I give the intelligence and light (Job 32, 8), who am the beginning and the Author of all wisdom and science. I desire that men, in acknowledging all this, give Me praise, exaltation, confession, supremity and glory forever.”
    (God to Mary of Agreda; City of God).
    Jesus, I Trust In You

    Liked by 5 people

    1. Yes, and Mary of Agreda is another classic example of a seer, and a good woman, who misinterpreted revelations she believed she had received. The process to declare her a Saint was well underway, till a Pope read them and noticed that Mary had stated that Catholics were bound to believe in the revelations which she had written down. At the point the Pope ordered that the process of examination of her life for heroic virtue cease, Because,

      The Church has always Dogmatically taught, as she continues to do even today NO CATHOLIC IS BOUND to believe in any private revelation. While the Church and Her Magisterium have spoken glowingly about Fatima – no Catholic is bound even to believe in Fatima or Lourdes. Quite obviously, Mary of Agreda either grossly misunderstood something she was told, or it didn’t come from God at all. Even authentic seers can be self-deluded/mistake a mental process in their own mind for the voice of God or one of his messengers.

      Liked by 3 people

      1. So as Charlie misinterpreted what he was told a few years ago and admitted his lack of understanding maybe too Mark M. has made the same mistake. In any case, as I see it, Be a refuge in Christ to all, Be a sign of Hope, an then Take the next right STEP. Which would imply that you can’t “gather the sheep” unless you get out into the pasture. I so like going to the essence, the bottom line, the most essential, the simplest of the Faith. And here it is, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j9K4Z3LUIAQ
        Father Matt Guckin, St. Francis de Sales, Southwest Philadelphia.

        Liked by 3 people

          1. Beckita, Just viewed again to make sure the link worked. Tear up every time I view it. DeSales is the childhood parish of my husband. A friend was presented the video through an on line prayer group. She recognized the church and sent it out to all on her list that she knew grew up in the parish. DeSales also has a wonderful grade school that has changed from Irish Catholic to Vietnamese to local inner-city children in very stressed family environments. The sisters in the school have won over many of their Black Baptist neighbors. This has been accomplished over a 30+ year period. Do you remember the little girl and her mother attending the President’s last state of the union address and the controversy of her tuition being cut off by the socialist PA governor? What many don’t know is that the next day Vice President Mike Pence brought them back to Philadelphia in his plane. He was going to DeSales to view what they had accomplished there. There is a book written by Sisters Touey and Lucey called Do it Better: How kids of St Francis de Sales Exceeded Everyone’s Expectations about their teaching method. https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/pence-visit-philadelphia-st-francis-de-sales-school-20200205.html
            Pence’s visit was contentious outside the school. However it is beloved by the neighborhood even by Protestants. Villanova University did a documentary of DeSales School. I wish you could view it but I could only find a link to it but a report on it is here: https://www1.villanova.edu/villanova/media/pressreleases/2016/0330-1.html
            These IHM nuns have been taking the next right step (acting and doing the labor) for many years. I have to end with a little humor. The convent in the first link I shared of Father’s walk through the neighborhood is the same convent my husband was sent to as a boy to clean in order to work out many Saturday detentions!

            Liked by 2 people

        2. Thank you Joanne. I loved this video. I love Philadelphia as well. Lived there for 11 formative years.

          Like

      3. A third possibility is a bad translation, that having been the case with St Faustina’s writings.
        Mary had even thrown away her first draft while her spiritual advisor was on a sabbatical because of her insecurities about the visions. Charlie mentions similar misgivings in his “calling” and of course Thomas Aquinas is famous for his deciding all he wrote was “straw”.
        I contend it’s no easy business having one foot on this side of the veil and one on the other side while trying to recover mystical realities in its proper perspective. One’s personality always comes off during the process. Some experts even conclude this to be so with Scripture because of the different writing styles seen. They do not realizing how the Spirit makes up for what is lacking in the writer because it’s (Scripture) Author is God!
        I feel that the Spirit does the same with those who receive His word and then interpret it badly, both for those who write it and those that read it.
        Another Pope makes this descernment :
        “In cases which concern private revelations, it is better to believe than not to believe, for, if you believe, and it is proven true, you will be happy that you have believed, because our Holy Mother asked it. If you believe, and it should be proven false, you will receive all blessings as if it had been true, because you believed it to be true”(Pope Urban VIII, 1623-44).

        Liked by 2 people

        1. That sounds like good advice Phillip.  What I would be watchful of is if someone put all their stock in a private revelation to the exclusion of scripture and the magistariums call to prudence.  This would be out of balance.  Personally, I think some private revelation is shrouded in mystery and discernment is not obvious, but at other times, it is plain.  Generally, the clarion call to repentance and conversion is pretty plain and can’t go wrong there.  There are times we need affirmation like when one who is running a high school cross country meet and our parents and classmates are cheering us on to push to the finish line.  We are human and frail.  We need that boost on occasion.  But back to what you wrote, it does not hurt to exercise some prudence to prepare with genuine faith always at the center.—- Sent from Doug’s Back Pack

          Liked by 2 people

        2. As if and when someone doesn’t find the private revelation credible – for good reasons? I’ve seen many which contained blatant false doctrine. And that is one of the most common ‘smell tests’ which cause alleged private revelation to be discounted by the Church. Better to believe if they pass all the Church’s guidelines for discernment of private revelations. Yes, I would agree in such cases.

          The Pope is not speaking of cases wherein there are blatant probability blocks. Give you another example: Many of the alleged private prophet through the centuries who said it was revealed to them that the Antichrist is right around the corner. Every century has had them. They were all false prophets. That doesn’t mean they were evil. In my forty years plus of investigating extraordinary charisms – I’ve run into only a handful of what I came to consider to be willful frauds. The vast majority of the inauthentic ones were deceived by an idea which came into their head as part of their thought processes – which they misunderstood to be a message from God.

          Liked by 2 people

          1. Yes.  I agree.  Needs to be stated. I take it for granted that the private revelation is in line with church teaching before being considered.  In my comment, even for cases where it is or appears in line with official church teaching, I still caution tobe watchful if someone put all their stock in a private revelation to the exclusion of adhering to scripture and the magistariums call to prudence. —- Sent from Doug’s Back Pack

            Like

            1. As the Church teaches, there are a whole list of tests which should be applied to all the claiming any sort of Extraordinary charism. Claimed ‘private revolution’ is only one such charism. Some of the tests are readily discerned by almost anyone. Others can require theological learning (especially spiritual theology). Those corporate tests are how the Church determines authenticity – especially in the more complex cases. Mere ‘feelings’ about Mr. or Mrs. alleged prophet, or healer, or visionary, or locutionist are not the instruments of accurate discernment.

              Liked by 2 people

          2. One obviously needs a correct conscience to be able to “test” what is or is not truth. Magesterial teaching has vetted truth for two millennium and is the source we acknowledge this truth through.
            We understand that scripture is not up for personal interpretations and so it would only be continued prudence on our part to expect the same from any private revelations we may hear. But since Scripture asks us to “test everything” it stands to reason that some lessons are to be learned even in error at times. By experiencing “error” both inside and outside ourselves, we “test” our resolve to keep what is good or remain in or descend into a form of selfishness.
            Why did God allow the enemy access to mankind in the first place? Free will, I guess, needs a testing ground to be truly free. Since God tested the angels, then Adam and Eve, surely we are to expect the same.
            If sin gets its power from the law and within ourselves a different appetite exists which leans us away from the “good” we should expect to be given the opportunity to witness our own falleness/weakness in this testing period so we have no excuse come judgment day if we have not made amends.
            So “testing” prophecies and searching for the truth in them intimately leads us to see if we are on the side of truth as we “hear His voice” in that which we keep as good or ignore it when our “itching ears” look for some “hidden knowledge” not for us to know, at best, or to our ruination, at worst.

            Liked by 1 person

  34. JESUS = GOOD NEWS! 😉

    https://stream.org/watchdog-uscirf-2020-religious-persecution/

    https://www.thecatholicthing.org/2020/05/02/recognizing-our-mute-witnesses/

    Ya can expect Lots-More Lefty controlled “Social” Media to block Conservative & Christian thought/opinion/facts for rest of 2020 … & beyond! ….. till the end of the Great Battle ;-(
    https://justthenews.com/accountability/media/legacy-news-gatekeepers-social-media-giants-converge-reboot-top-down

    https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2020/05/breaking-conservative-giant-candace-owens-suspended-twitter-posting-tweet-challenging-tyrannical-michigan-governor-whitmer/

    https://justthenews.com/politics-policy/coronavirus/dems-far-more-likely-repubs-report-neighbors-hosting-friends-breaking

    https://stream.org/the-life-or-death-question-you-should-ask-any-leftist/

    Of course, Leftists don’t count babies as worthy of Life!
    https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/breaking-pro-life-investigators-ordered-to-pay-1.5-million-in-planned-parenthood-baby-parts-case

    https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2020/05/02/intelligence-report-details-how-china-covered-up-coronavirus-outbreak/

    http://www.floppingaces.net/2020/05/01/why-did-obama-brennan-clapper-comey-want-flynn-out-of-the-way-this-is-why/

    https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/david-axelrod-obama-2008-campaign-found-no-allegations-of-sexual-assault-involving-biden

    Pic of Obama’s Biden Vetting Committee:

    GOD SAVE ALL HERE!!

    Liked by 5 people

  35. My first reaction to reading this was bristling at his talking about Beckita. Don’t mess with our Beckita who is always kind and loving! Second– me thinks he dost protest too much. Getting fussy because Beckita has a different opinion? So what? Third– I’ve been hanging around here for years now and there’s a reason for that. I like what I read, it rings true and logical to me and it is a very respectful and kind site.

    Liked by 5 people

    1. Glad you said “kind” vs. “nice.” I think “nice” has really devolved into relativistic speak, a flimsy descriptive at best, dubious at worst. Heck, if someone is merely nice to you all the time, I’d say watch your back. People who really care will scuffle from time to time.

      Watched a really interesting documentary one night covering World War II. Of particular interest was the scale and scope of planning involved for D-Day –– which was unprecedented then and unmatched since. Hard to imagine they could pull off the planning phase, much less the invasion, if not for Heavenly assistance.

      I’ve also found some value in watching “Saving Private Ryan,” though in that case you get a much tighter and intimate view of one small platoon in particular. Saw it the first time at the Cinema Capri with the fullest host of effects that made the experience so real that it seemed as if real bullets were whizzing by my ears. It was shocking to an extent, and it was just a movie recreation.

      The movie did a good job, so naturally the battle plan went right out the window from the start. What did they do when met with such demonic fury on that beach? Oh, nearly all the platoon LT could muster was to get his troops to “keep moving,” and “get off the beach!” That scene really made an impression.

      So did this one:

      Liked by 4 people

      1. Interesting comment MP. Great battles. Great generals. The hand of God.

        I don’t know who the General in Charlie’s picture is. With his love for St Joan I would guess it is some Frenchman contemplating how he is going to annihilate the English across the river at dawn.

        He may be a kind man but he almost certainly is not a nice man. Warrior through and through.

        Kind of puts me in mind of one of my favorite paintings:

        https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/11417

        I could look at the detail of this painting all day long. If you click on the enlarge button underneath the painting you can zoom in quite close to all the fascinating detail in the picture. Washington was a warrior. Kind but not particularly nice.

        Is it as amazing to you as it is to me how the hand of God appears so many times in the most critical battles in history? With outcomes that just defy coincidence or even mere luck? George Washington was a terrible general. God saved his rear end time after time after time. Usually with some kind of weird weather event. There is a lot of historical evidence that God does take sides in conflict.

        Satan is a tough opponent. He is a pretty good General. He has advanced a doomed cause pretty far toward his only objective in the battle … which is casualties. Not a nice General at all. Nor a particularly kind man in any respect. Nobody in his or her right mind should seek out combat with Satan. If you do you will get your rear end handed to you.

        The guy in the picture to me is probably a pretty good depiction of St Michael the Archangel. Contemplating how he is going to grab Satan and all his evil minions by the neck and beat the living you know what out of them. Just waiting for the “Let’s Go” command from God the Father.

        Monsignor Charles Pope maintains that angels are awesome spiritual beings. Perhaps frightening to the human perception if we ever saw them as they actually are. Good reason that many encounters with angels begin with “Fear not.” And why angels appear like kind and nice guys to humans. Do you ever wonder how they appear to Satan and his demons?

        So, if you are St Michael the Archangel and your task is to lead the forces of Heaven to battle the forces of Hell what is your strategy? Do you go on the offense and go after Satan or do you dig in on defense and try to ward off Satan and wear him out? Do you actively engage or seek a safe impregnable refuge or fortress to ride out the best Satan has to throw at you?

        I wonder how that guy in the picture is leaning?

        St Michael The Archangel,

        Defend us in battle; Be our protection from the wickedness and snares of the Devil;
        May God rebuke him we humbly pray.
        And do Thou, oh Prince of the Heavenly host, by the Power of God
        cast into Hell Satan and all the evil spirits who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls.

        AMEN!

        Liked by 4 people

        1. I appreciate your thoughtful comment, Storm Tracker Ed. I’ve long thought that earthly battles and heavenly battles are inextricably connected though not identical ~ just as in Joan of Arc’s day.

          To me the general looks Asian ~ I think it’s Genghis Khan (c. 1162-1227), who, according to Wikipedia, “came to power by uniting many of the nomadic tribes of Northeast Asia. . . . By the end of his life, the Mongol Empire occupied a substantial portion of Central Asia and China. Due to his exceptional military successes, Genghis Khan is often considered to be the greatest conqueror of all time.” He was also quite brutal in battle and toward civilian populations in his targeted areas. The Wiki article later states, “He is also credited with bringing the Silk Road under one cohesive political environment. This brought relatively easy communication and trade between Northeast Asia, Muslim Southwest Asia, and Christian Europe, expanding the cultural horizons of all three areas.”

          We live with the effects and methods of Genghis Khan’s conquests even today. For the good guys to win “A Great Battle,” it’s important that allies, while different from each other, focus their energy on fighting the enemy, not each other.

          Indeed, Saint Michael the Archangel, pray for us.

          Liked by 4 people

          1. ” …. it’s important that allies, while different from each other, focus their energy on fighting the enemy, not each other…. ”

            I put up a thought about DISINTEGRATION a little while back. Division. Separating. Tearing apart.

            Archbishop Sheen did a youtube on the signs of the Diabolical. One of them is Division. Where you see Division you see the Devil at work.

            Think about how the Devil attacks his enemy. Divide and conquer. Divide the Left flank from the right flank. Envelope and destroy the weaker, smaller more isolated elements of your enemy’s army.

            Smash through your enemy’s solid battle line by hook or by crook or by stealth and deception. It’s a good strategy and operational tactic. We see it happening in the Church overall today. Cardinal against Cardinal. Bishop against Bishop. It seems to be happening amongst the Christian blogs I’m afraid.

            Charlie use a metaphor for UNITY as we sail through the Storm. He sees it like a fleet of Barques supporting each other on the journey. He is content to man the Barque of Peter while sailing against the Storm with the whole fleet at his side. Wise if you ask me.

            Satan is a great General like him or not. St Michael? I don’t think God would put a wuss in charge of the Great Battle for souls. Tough as nails and you can count on it. Satan’s match. Just guessing but I would venture that he is a big angel. An awesome angel. No nonsense. Focused on the task.

            Like

            1. Had to share this, Ed, after seeing it on Msgr. Eric Barr’s feed. It’s a photo of Mont St. Michele off the coast of France, taken by Phillippe Meunierat at 6:00 pm on April 29.

              I read somewhere about an Exorcist (maybe it was Fr. Amorth) having a run-in with satan, where he spat something about how he always saw St. Michael as one of the quietest and smallest of Heavenly Angels, and how could such a small and quiet Angel do him in.

              I figure St. Michael’s battle cry and main assault dispelled that illusion. Sort of a “shock and awe” campaign.

              Liked by 1 person

              1. Dude! I didn’t know you had your own ART GALLERY! I’m such an idjit; I was looking at all those horse pictures and was thinking, “Wow, these look like some of the pictures that MP has shared with us on the site.” Then I saw that the artist was from Arizona, and I’m thinking, “Hmmm, I wonder if MP knows this artist.” Then the lightning bolt of realization struck me. I know I’m not the sharpest knife in the drawer, but sometimes I find my level of cluelessness to be breathtaking.

                Anyhow, where did you find that picture of Mont Saint-Michele? I showed it to my daughter (who is kind of an art buff), and she really liked it.

                Liked by 2 people

                2. I should have said that I found that pic on my facebook newsfeed after the Msgr. shared it on his. I used to put images up on the Sweetwater, but that site’s server has been running spotty lately, so used the other one in a pinch. Maybe that odd dude over there won’t mind.

                  Liked by 1 person

        2. Not sure at all what his strategy is, Ed, but I’m certain his battles are easier or more difficult to the degree that our hearts burn with love like his for God, or grow cold in us.

          Liked by 2 people

        3. I am reminded of the report that angels appeared an a battle field during the Israel 1967 war. From what I read long ago, the angels were recognized as such and frightened the daylights out of the Islamic attackers.

          Liked by 2 people

  36. A great sign has happened on May 1, 2020; the bishops of America & Canada have consecrated their countries to Mary Mother of the Church.

    Liked by 9 people

  37. I have not yet read through all the comments yet, but what stands out to me to me is that you are speaking publicly about something which it is the Church’s role to speak about. The people at Countdown to the Kingdom are trying to do something good. No one is asking you or anyone else to believe in Father Rodrigue’s charism. Leave it to the Church to decide about the authenticity of his gifts. There are some visionaries who leave me scratching my head, but it is not mine to judge. I could, after all, be wrong and thwarting the work of God. I will leave the pronouncements about them to the Church. To speak so soon in a negative way is an imprudence, to say the least.

    Liked by 3 people

  38. I think that a big part of our duty is to try to see what God wants – and then discipline ourselves to want the same thing. God calls all men to salvation; He wants none of those He created to perish, even while knowing that many will. We are to participate with Him in calling our brothers to salvation. I cannot reconcile that with the “refuge movement” as described by Fr. Michel and John Leary. In fact, I think the doctrine of such a “refuge movement” is directly contrary to what God calls us to. CJ

    Very very good Charlie!!! Truth!!! Boom!!!

    Liked by 1 person

  39. Whatever you may think, we have to acknowledge that Fr. Michel is one the greatest arguments for pro-life ever. The 23rd of 23 children his mother bore on a poor farm in Canada. Ordained to the priesthood because a bishop received inner locutions to ordain him, Doctor of theology degree, taught at the seminary, worked with psychologically disturbed youth, official exorcist, founder of religious order and monastery, mystic(claims God the Father has spoken to him since the age of 3), had 8 heart attacks and died 4 times, cured from cancers 3 times, full of joy and humor and has prophetic gifts.
    Fr. Michel is certainly one of God’s statements for pro-life.

    Liked by 8 people

  41. Having read through the various prophetic utterances throughout the history of the Church one can surmise that there may indeed be two instances when a greater Antichrist will arise -an Antichrist Minor (who may appear in the present day) & an Antichrist Major (that is Gog of Magog.) who will appear much later at the end. Some have spoken of antichrist much as the one portrayed in “Lord of the World, whom I consider Antichrist Minor. Others have spoken of an antichrist who will mimic the true Christ in every possible way even to down his own origen. This one I consider to be Antichrist Major who appears in Revelations at the very end when Satan is released from his prison. We have already had many precursor antichrist figures, Herod, Nero, Bonaparte, & Hitler to name a small few. This is only my own conjecture which may or may not be right. As with all points of conjecture there are going to be differences in understanding by all those engaged. Some will be correct others will turn out to be incorrect, others will have a mix of the two. With that set aside let us focus on God Himself. Throughout history we knew of God as one being or we thought there to be more than one god. Our ancestors did not comprehend the possibility that God is indeed only one God as a being but who is comprised of three distinct persons. The modern day rationalist thinkers would acuse God of having a multiple personality disorder whereas the atheists would say this of those who wrote of God. Amazing how a pile of insects can explain a star amongst themselves yet have never so much as left the dirt in which they walk. With the gifts of faith & tradition however we see that God is indeed three in one. This thought was not only impossible to the Hebrew people it could also have been considered a form of blasphemy. Outside of the Hebrew people humanity was insistant that there were many gods. This thought is easier to understand as the laws of nature are unseen & unknown as are the angelic beings who govern them. Human deduction would assume the laws of nature as either being forms of magic or governed by gods. I have found neither the conjectures found here on this site or the conjectures found on Malletts’ site to be antichristian or opposed to the teachings of the Church. The Church may at times seem to subscribe to a particular understanding of escolagical events but it only names a rather short list of definitives which will occur as pointed out in the catechism. On this site a very deeply American perspective seems to dominate the thoughts which seems reasonable since most of those here are Americans, though it leaves me with little room to comment often since it is not my proper place to do so in areas of politic. On the other site it I see a more over all perspective without any particular national view. This implies that both have been given very different tasks by our Lord. The war is between those in heaven & those in hell, between God & Satan. Let it not be said that there are also battles & misgivings amongst those on the side of heaven for if there are all shall be lost. Is that not what Satan tries to do, divide & conquer? As for the words & intentions of Bishop Lemay, he reminds me of another bishop who at times seems to put aside the mystical in favour of the rational which is not at all a critical assessment of his character since he is a good & faithful servant of the Church. Regardless it seems that Rodrique is merely being misunderstood more than anything else, the man is clearly a very devout & more importantly holy individual who has also been given many gifts which Lemay in no way denies. It is very difficult for a bishop to deal with the supernatural because it often places himself in a position of outright scorn by his confreres, especially if he is seen as being supportive of such things. Let us also remember Cananda is experiencing a growing persecution of the Church that may turn deadly at some point. In time it may come to pass that Rodrigue himself will one day be placed upon the Roman calendar much like another man who once lived in a rather forgotten place known as Pietrocina. As for the his mystical utterances let us see what comes of them. If they are of God they will play out, if they are delusions or interferences from below they fall to the ground. In my own opinion God will not remain silent on this matter.

    Liked by 6 people

    1. “Let us also remember Cananda is experiencing a growing persecution of the Church that may turn deadly at some point. ” This is a valid point. It certainly feels that we heading that way. The “leftwing anti-God transgender culture of death”religon is deeply entrenched in our government bureacracy, our national media, all of our educational institutions and the groupthink of social media here in Canada.
      I had never heard of Fr. Michel except through this site, so I’m not very up to speed with what he has been saying. But if his refuge monasteries are in Amos, Quebec that is pretty far north (a latitude comparable to the southern parts of Alaska). Outside of that I don’t really have anything to add about Fr. Michel. But I can say that I do appreciate all that Charlie and Beckita have done here at this site.

      Liked by 4 people

  42. I agree with Mark Mallet. There is a strong spirit of division in the last post by Beckita. No matter how you look at it, the implication is very clear implying disobedience . It’s interesting, as I follow both blogs, that I came to the same conclusion Mark stated. It was my immediate reaction and I am saddened but I am fully aware that the enemy Never sleeps.

    Liked by 3 people

      1. Kim, the link didn’t work so I replaced it with a working one. Thanks for sharing this news. In reading the passage wherein Pope Benedict mentions the “Anti-Christ” I notice Pope Benedict focuses on “the spiritual power of the Anti-Christ.” This hearkens back to I John 4:2-3: By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God; and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God; this is the spirit of the antichrist, of which you have heard that it is coming, and now it is already in the world.

        Here’s that passage from the article:
        Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI linked the dominance of “homosexual marriage” and “abortion” in the world — such that it brooks no dissent without fear of punishment — to the “spiritual power of the Anti-Christ” in a new biography.

        “One hundred years ago,” Benedict stated in the biography by Peter Seewald, “everybody would have considered it to be absurd to speak of a homosexual marriage. Today, one is being excommunicated by society if one opposes it.” The same applies to “abortion and to the creation of human beings in the laboratory,” Benedict added.

        “Modern society is in the middle of formulating an anti-Christian creed, and if one opposes it, one is being punished by society with excommunication,” he went on to say. “The fear of this spiritual power of the Anti-Christ is then only more than natural, and it really needs the help of prayers on the part of an entire diocese and of the Universal Church in order to resist it.”

        Liked by 2 people

        1. Thanks, Beckita! Yes– in light of the conversation here, I thought it might be of some interest. I love Pope Benedict! There was another article on lifesite talking about the dynamics during the voting for Pope when Benedict was elected. Cloak and dagger!

          Liked by 3 people

          1. Kim, I found that one also and discovered I had “bookmarked” it on my computer at some point. Wow, to “hear” those men in their own words. God help us! As my husband and I say when seeing some garbage on TV, even the news, “We sure need your help Lord Jesus!”

            Liked by 1 person

            1. I’m not sure why the link’s not working. If you search with the words: “Life Site News Pope Benedict Biography” you’ll find it, Doug.

              Like

              1. Good article.  Here is the link that I copied and pasted:  https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/pope-benedict-links-dominance-of-homosexual-marriage…abortion-to-spiritual-power-of-anti-christ—- Sent from Doug’s Back Pack

                Like

        3. You’ve got it right, Beckita. Pope Benedict XVI well knows – as he taught in 2010 – that there are entire “regions” of the earth which have not yet received their Initial Evangelization. That included a high percentage of Asia – which itself comprises half of this globe we live on. Benedict also knows that Jesus said the very end-time events cannot even begin till after that ‘Initial Evangelization’ takes place.

          Once, when St. John Paul II was asked when that Initial Evangelization would finally be completed, he responded, probably ‘some time in the 3rd Millennium’.

          All my love in Christ

          Desmond

          Liked by 1 person

      2. Sorry Kim, I click on the link and it says page not found.—- Sent from Doug’s Back Pack

        Like

  44. JESUS = GOOD NEWS! 😉

    Division everywhere and, of late, triggered by a China “Bug”.

    Cardinal Sarah Condemns the Whole Bunch of Bishops
    https://gloria.tv/post/eiavS6RWweew2H7hmBHGt2hPv

    https://stream.org/will-we-take-virus-vaccine-made-from-unborn-babies/

    https://stream.org/out-like-flynn/

    https://nypost.com/2020/04/03/mayor-bill-de-blasios-despicable-baiting-of-samaritans-purse/

    Kansas City, Missouri, officials are now requiring every church to submit a list of members …………………..

    http://www.floppingaces.net/2020/05/02/how-soon-will-the-american-people-demand-freedom/

    https://theconservativetreehouse.com/2020/05/02/33-people-arrested-during-sacramento-freedom-protest/

    https://theconservativetreehouse.com/2020/05/02/rebel-alliance-ground-reports-whats-your-current-lockdown-status/

    https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/trump-biden-2020-newt-gingrich

    https://townhall.com/tipsheet/bethbaumann/2020/05/02/theyre-unconstitutional-sheriffs-are-refusing-to-enforce-stayathome-orders-n2568073

    GOD SAVE ALL HERE!!

    Liked by 4 people

  45. Charlie & Beckita, your point about our ‘penchant to ministerpret’ private revelations – that possibility also lies open for Church-approved seers. Case in point, the three children of Fatima were told to pray for “Russia” – the “she” would not spread her errors throughout the world. The children rightfully obeyed. Only one problem, they thought “Russia” was some woman, the identity of whom they were unaware. When St. Francis of Assisi received the order from God to, “Rebuild my church” – he thought God was referring to a local very small Catholic Church called the “Portiuncula” [rather than The Church per se – which was tumbling down in Western Europe. There are quite a myriad of examples of such things. That is exactly why I wrote something many of you have read, “Often the the received of private revelation is the poorest or last person to properly understand a revelation.”

    There is absolutely no guarantee that the individual receiver of a private revelation properly understands or interprets in accurately. That is born out again and again throughout Salvation History.

    All my love in Christ

    Desmond

    Liked by 6 people

  46. I have grimaced more than once at Charlie’s sometimes distasteful whips at the refuge suggestions. And then several times felt the slam of Bekita’s jack-hammer bishop’s statement as if to silence the many comments that otherwise obviously went against her own opinion. So much for building the Kingdom. There was a time when many were gathering food and supplies a few years back and Charlie’s loving response was as if they needed a teddie bear, well that it be. It was kind. Today I’m eating those 2017 cans of potatoes, and they’re quite delicious actually. What’s going on now with Charlie is not so loving. In my perpetual novena to St. Therese, the little flower, I asked her to send a rose to Charlie. Something is really askew here. My prayer is that Charlie will find specifics to back up his vehemence or clarification to dissuade further disrespect of something that may be coming from a Source far beyond our imagination to grasp at this present moment.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Barbara in light of the Covid 19 pandemic and its social impact I believe it warrants a very careful reappraisal of the effectiveness or utility of the concept of Refuge.

      When I think of the concept of Refuge I think of a defended physical space like a compound or a fort. A fixed fortress supplied to withstand a long siege. Perhaps a hamlet of self-sustaining like minded citizens. Impregnable Defensive Position. Pull up the drawbridge and keep all the bad guys out. And all the good guys too. Take care of Number One and carefully chosen family, friends and useful allies.

      A place you flee to when danger approaches and hunker down to fight off the enemy in defensive warfare. .

      Or, if history is any guide … a fatal trap. Think Masada in ancient Israel. Think Troy in even more ancient Asia Minor. Or think of Noah and his ark. Lots of modern examples of thought to be impregnable fortresses that proved to be lethal traps for the unfortunate defenders/inhabitants

      The Ark. A Refuge for a rainy day(s). How long did Noah last in the Ark which was his Refuge in the storm?

      “Noah entered the ark in the 600th year of his life, on the 17th day of the 2nd month (Genesis 7:11-13). Noah left the ark on the 27th day of the 2nd month of the following year (Genesis 8:14-15). Therefore, assuming a lunar calendar of 360 days, Noah was on the ark for approximately 370 days.”

      Noah lasted a year in that Ark which arguably is the greatest Refuge ever constructed according to God’s specific instructions. How did he survive? How many of those animals came off the Ark?

      We’ve learned a lot about Refuge as a result of Covid 19. Rural retreats don’t look so safe from the virus. Health care can be hard to obtain. One head of a rural county hospital in the Midwest said on TV the other day that his hospital will in no way be able to handle a surge in infected people with no place else to go. And that’s just the natives. The natives are not inclined to extend hospitality to a wave of city fleeing refugees soaking up the resources of their community. “That’s close enough, stranger. keep moving.” Food, gas, medicine, the necessities. No matter how well stocked your pantry is with canned goods you may not be able to hold out much longer than Noah did.

      I think Refuge is a nice dream. But I am coming around to the view that physical Refuge is impractical for the vast majority of people particularly older folks.

      I would appreciate your view on this as well as others who have given the idea of Refuge somewhere in the woods some thought or have actually prepared such a place for themselves.

      BTW, we do a lot of home canning ourselves and have quite a pantry. I don’t think it will suffice for a long stay in quarantine.

      Liked by 4 people

      1. Ed, we have a large extended family, many of whom live in this area. One of my sisters and her family live about 60 miles outside of Memphis in a small town. They have a lot of property and a big house. A lot of the men in the family hunt and fish. We have talked about gathering there is we ever feel it would be advisable to do so, but I don’t know if we really would. I have two daughters and 8 grandchildren close by so I imagine at least we would hunker down together. As far as tons of supplies– not so much! I think if I could have a priest with us to say Mass I would’ve satisfied!

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Christ didn’t expect the apostles to lick themselves behind closed doors. A shepherd can’t lead his sheep or feed them if he doesn’t go into the pasture and find them.

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          1. Thought you were using hip brevity as in “lick your wounds,” so works either way. I vote we start counting those bings as Daily Doubles.

            Liked by 2 people

  47. This whole situation with Fr. Michel Rodrigue has been very concerning to me for awhile & I was astounded that someone as reputable as Mark Mallett supported Father’s unfounded & outlandish claims. It’s been gut-wrenching to watch some of my dear friends jump on the bandwagon so enthusiastically. It smacks of Catholic “elitism”. I’m not nearly as eloquent as you Charlie but am always so thankful to have you express my own personal beliefs. God bless you!

    Liked by 4 people

  48. I must admit to having a strong personal reservation about ‘refuges’. About twenty years ago I set out on a fact finding tour of interviewing various alleged seers, apparition sites, conferences, etc. I interviewed many many people, alleged seers and non-seers. Most of them were pleasant people, alleged seers and non-seers alike. [It is the Church’s call about authenticity.]

    One of the things I investigated were claims that a number of people had lost all their money – reserving a place in a refuge site. The people claiming that they had been told by God to start a ‘refuge’ may well have been sincere. But that didn’t do any good for a number of the folks – who sold their homes to obtain a place in a refuge – only to find when they moved to the ‘refuge’ that it wasn’t ready for prime time. They mostly wound up having to move back home and start over broke.

    Since then I’ve been very chary/reserved about ‘refuges’. That is especially true- if they pitch me for money! This is not about any particular persons. It is simply my reaction to what I saw happen to others.

    One thing puzzles me here. I’m told by some long time followers of Charlie [I’ve met some of them in the last couple of years] that he has “always”, or “from the beginning”, spoken against the idea of refuges. So … why would some people start to talk angrily or in an hostile manner toward him for continuing to say what he’s always said before? Why only now would they would they appear to come unglued over Charlie saying the same things he evidently has always said about refuges? Perhaps they are relative ‘newbies’ to Charlie’s writings [as I am]?

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    1. Without going back to read all of Charlie’s TNRS writings (which I have in my computer files), I do recall that he was not calling for people to create “refuges” in the manner being discussed in this thread. He did not dissuade people from making prudent preparations, just as many people where I live tend to have a stash of durable basics to see us through for a while should the need arise. He did not dissuade people from being generous neighbors to those in need ~ even when those in need are not part of the “chosen.”

      Charlie didn’t exactly or strongly speak AGAINST “refuges,” as I recall, except to point out that emphasizing such plans and preparations can miss the point. The “refuge” emphasis
      ~ can be a way of not having to trust in God, since you’ve got it handled;
      ~ can’t possibly foresee every circumstance and might end up being useless;
      ~ can distract from the real purpose of the Storm and God’s providential reset;
      ~ etc.

      I would describe Charlie’s training approach not as preparing us for a spiritual-physical Apocalypse and a post-Apocalyptic future but as preparing us for whatever might come ~ likely to be quite unexpected in its details ~ by learning to Acknowledge God, Take the Next Right Step, and Be A Sign of Hope to Those Around You.

      BTW, Desmond, back in the “The Never-Ending Story” thread, I wrote about the Ilwaco connection. 🙂 It’s noteworthy that, after the 1830s, many of my Chinook relatives literally fled to Bay Center (Willapa Bay) as a refuge from disease and starvation and landlessness. Now we are once again strong.

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        1. Hi, neighbor!

          I didn’t grow up in Chinook, but ancestors and cousins lived in Ilwaco and my immediate family loved to visit them. My beloved great-aunts lived in the home their parents built in Chinookville in 1872; they moved the home to Ilwaco on rollers in 1883. A large family of mostly daughters, including my grandmother, was raised in that home. The home is now a Washington State Parks Heritage Site.

          Many other people (including these great-aunts and our grandmother) in the area were/are direct descendants of our Chinook g-g-grandmother (1830-1924), who managed to avoid plagues, had many children, and lived into her 90s. Her parents and siblings are listed in the original baptismal-marriage-other sacramental records kept by the first two Catholic priests to come to the Oregon Territory in 1838. Some of her descendants ~ our cousins ~ are long-time oyster farmers in the area.

          Many relatives, including my parents and Chief Comcomly, are buried in the Ilwaco Cemetery.

          Although a long-time member of the diaspora, living far from Chinook territory, I’m now more involved with the Chinook Indian Nation and drive to the area frequently for meetings and other gatherings. It’s a deep “roots” experience to travel through the territory, viewing it from both a Catholic and a Chinook perspective.

          Liked by 1 person

          1. I bet we know some of the same folks – oyster farmers in Willipa Bay. I am assuming that the Murayama’s still have their oyster farm there? Do you or did you know any of them? For those who don’t know it, Willapa Bays Oyster farming is done with Japanese Oysters. The oyster ‘seeds’ are [or at least used to be] imported from Japan because they couldn’t get them to self-propagate in Willapa Bay.] They may have since found a way to propagate them right there in the Bay. But my knowledge of this is sort of dated – to 1959 and earlier. 🙂

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            1. We probably do!

              I don’t know the Murayama family, but my oyster-farming cousins ~ the Herrolds (aka, “Hark, the Herrolds”) ~ would know and remember them. (The non-oyster-farming cousins would, too.) Oyster beds rarely change hands because they’re rare underwater pieces of property. The Herrolds have had their oyster farm for generations.

              Oysters, or “chetlo,” have been staples of the Chinook diet since time immemorial, and the Chinooks of old were good about not depleting their food sources. Probably the Japanese imports came later. My cousins grow Pacific Oysters.

              Cool. 🙂

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    2. That is a really interesting (and depressing) tour Aquinas. Yikes. In my view, Charlie has been perfectly consistent and clear re his stance on refuges from the beginning. The controversy this time I think surrounds rightly or wrongly attributing contrasting views (more of a hunker down and God will protect the righteous approach) to other ministries.

      Liked by 2 people

  49. In the first place the refuge is in my heart. In the second place my refuge is with the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary. In the third place, it is suggested to make my home a place of refuge simply by taking holy water combined with special blessed salt and stand in place and bless my home. Then go outside and bless my land by making the sign of the cross with this special holy water… I am not planning on “hunkering in” as Charlie insinuates. I work for a crisis pregnancy center and we are working harder than ever albeit remotely to save precious lives. But, if there comes a time, when we have no electricity or there’s some sort of disorder, the likes of which we have never seen yet in this country, what’s the harm of simply blessing my home, now. Most of you obviously have no idea what the rest of us are talking about, including Charlie. I’ve said this before .If someone is getting a revelation claiming from the God the Father that we should prepare in such a way that to bless our homes will bring heavenly favors in an hour of need, what’s the big objection! It’s my home. It’s my heart. And it’s all about my trust in God that if I do this simple thing, my home may someday be a place of refuge for anyone the Lord may send my way needing a place of safety and I might add, a place of heavenly favors. That’s it. Plain and simple.

    Liked by 7 people

    1. Barbara, first of all, welcome to the comment boards. It seems we have a whole lot of first-time commenters here this weekend. If what is meant by refuges is only what you say, then I have no objection – and, in fact, encourage it. I have encouraged many people to use their resources now to help others later – and have become friends with many who have. I wholly support such a plan. What I object to are tales that angels are going to lead all the faithful to refuges where they will be fully protected from the storm, without having to participate in it. I have waited hoping that someone of substance would acknowledge, at least, that that is what they used to teach but have now repudiated it. If they said they never taught that, well, I have specific quotes and where you can find them independently. I am sometimes wrong, but it is rare that I don’t know what I’m talking about. So if your definition is now the full definition, I sure am glad and I completely support it – and I look forward to seeing that formally clarified, for then we could truly be on the same page.

      Liked by 3 people

      1. Hi Charlie, can you clarify “that that is what they used to teach but have now repudiated it.” Who are you referring to as “they” and what specifically was repudiated. Thanks.

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      2. Charlie, you wrote about those who used to say/teach that , “… angels are going to lead all the faithful to refuges where they will be fully protected from the storm, without having to participate in it. I have waited hoping that someone of substance would acknowledge, at least, that that is what they used to teach but have now repudiated it.” I hope they do. But I I’m not holding my breath waiting.

        An expression of an old friend of mine came to mind as I read the words about your waiting. About such ‘waiting’ he said and wrote, “If you can hold your breath for an hour, you can have all the air you want.” 🙂

        Many non-authentic prophet/prognosticators in my experience become experts in quietly scratching out lines in the sand which they wrote some time ago.

        All my love in Christ

        Desmond

        Liked by 1 person

  50. I have just read muxh Father Michael Rodrigue’s testimony. In his statement re refuges, he makes it clear that refuges will not be easy places to live. Everyone will be working hard and praying….I have read about refuges from other people who have claimed to hear the Blessed Mother’s voice. Some say that there are people who will be assigned to leave the refuges to save souls…..Father Michael cites passages of the Bible that show us how many times Our Lord has said that he will protect his flock. Therefore, I certainly do not dismiss his writings. I think that the Father, Son, Holy Spirit and Our Blessed Mother reveal certain things to special people…. At this time in the world’s history, I think that God has chosen many prophets and messangers in various locations. Just as I find much wisdom and fruit in what Charlie and Mark Mallett say, I also see the same in Father Michel. … I have tried to consecrate my home with exorcised holy water and salt. I have prayed all around the property and he house. I did not use Father Michel’s words because I did not have them, but I am sure that God heard my prayer. No, I do not expect that misfortune will not befall my home. At the moment I carry great grief and sadness in my heart for the great loss of my dear grandson. I am almost an empty shell. However, I do think that the spirit of the most evil one will stay out….God bless all here. May Our Lord and Blessed Mother give us the graces of discernment and strength, especially when we feel we have not left.

    Liked by 9 people

    1. Dear StJudithWanttobe, I’m keeping you in my prayers. Sending you love and asking God to comfort you.

      Liked by 1 person

    3. Stjudith, I am so sorry for your loss. I will pray for the repose of your grandson’s soul, and I will pray for you and your family.

      Liked by 2 people

    4. StJudith, I’m praying that God will sustain you in your grief and fill your soul with His presence. I’m so sorry for your loss and pain.

      Liked by 2 people

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Published by charliej373

Charlie Johnston is a former newspaper editor, radio talk show host and political consultant. From Feb. 11, 2011 to Aug. 21, 2012, he walked 3,200 miles across the country, sleeping in the woods, meeting people and praying as he went. He writes on cultural, global and political issues from an orthodox Catholic perspective. He emphasizes that we find God most surely through the ordinary, doing the little things we should with faith and fidelity. His constant refrain is that, to live real joy, we must acknowledge God, take the next right step, and be a sign of hope to those around us. He lives in the Archdiocese of Denver in the United States.