Card. Sarah on what the Church “tragically” needs today

[Michie]

From the introduction of Cardinal Sarah’s new book.

When priests offer the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass unworthily, when they give the Eucharistic Jesus to sinners who have no intention of asking Him to forgive their sin’s or of living according to the gospel, they betray Jesus once again. When Mass, for the priest, has become a theater, a social gathering, an entertainment in which he behaves like the variety-show host who has to resort to his personal creativity in order to make the atmosphere interesting and attractive; when he indulges in cultural adaptations, personal explanations, and commentaries instead of making room for the ineffable groanings of the Holy Spirit present in every Eucharistic celebration, what becomes of the faith of the faithful? At the heart of the Eucharist, the priest must experience the unique power of silent adoration and have at heart a prayer that, in all its aspects, is conformed to the prayer that Jesus addresses to His Father. We have enough eminent specialists and doctors in the ecclesiastical sciences. What the Church tragically needs today is men of God, men of faith, and priests who adore in spirit and in truth.

Continued below.

Card. Sarah on what the Church "tragically" needs today

From the introduction of Cardinal Sarah's new book. When priests offer the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass unworthily, when they give the Eucharistic Jesus to sinners who have no intention of asking Him to forgive their sin's or of living according to the gospel, they betray Jesus once again. When Mass,

wdtprs.com

 

[fide]

From the introduction of Cardinal Sarah’s new book.

When priests offer the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass unworthily, when they give the Eucharistic Jesus to sinners who have no intention of asking Him to forgive their sin’s or of living according to the gospel, they betray Jesus once again. When Mass, for the priest, has become a theater, a social gathering, an entertainment in which he behaves like the variety-show host who has to resort to his personal creativity in order to make the atmosphere interesting and attractive; when he indulges in cultural adaptations, personal explanations, and commentaries instead of making room for the ineffable groanings of the Holy Spirit present in every Eucharistic celebration, what becomes of the faith of the faithful? At the heart of the Eucharist, the priest must experience the unique power of silent adoration and have at heart a prayer that, in all its aspects, is conformed to the prayer that Jesus addresses to His Father. We have enough eminent specialists and doctors in the ecclesiastical sciences. What the Church tragically needs today is men of God, men of faith, and priests who adore in spirit and in truth.

Continued below.

Card. Sarah on what the Church "tragically" needs today

From the introduction of Cardinal Sarah's new book. When priests offer the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass unworthily, when they give the Eucharistic Jesus to sinners who have no intention of asking Him to forgive their sin's or of living according to the gospel, they betray Jesus once again. When Mass,

wdtprs.com

Card. Sarah is not one of those modern Catholic writers who can check off all the boxes that insure good sales among Catholic Mass-goers. The sales of this book probably will not set any records - except among those as serious as he is for the Truth, for the glory of God, for the blood-bought honor of the name "Catholic," and for fidelity to the mission that Jesus gave us in the beginning. He is not seeking the applause, in other words, of the many part-timers in the Faith, but rather, I suspect, for those faithful in glory right now weeping for the Church and on their knees praying that men and women worthy of the name will arise to the call of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and the Immaculate Heart of our Mother. Arise to lives that honor them, and that will honor the graces entrusted to them. Card. Sarah, in other words, is a great man, a great priest, a great writer and a great Catholic greatly needed in these times.

 

[MariaChristi]

From the introduction of Cardinal Sarah’s new book.

When priests offer the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass unworthily, when they give the Eucharistic Jesus to sinners who have no intention of asking Him to forgive their sin’s or of living according to the gospel, they betray Jesus once again. When Mass, for the priest, has become a theater, a social gathering, an entertainment in which he behaves like the variety-show host who has to resort to his personal creativity in order to make the atmosphere interesting and attractive; when he indulges in cultural adaptations, personal explanations, and commentaries instead of making room for the ineffable groanings of the Holy Spirit present in every Eucharistic celebration, what becomes of the faith of the faithful? At the heart of the Eucharist, the priest must experience the unique power of silent adoration and have at heart a prayer that, in all its aspects, is conformed to the prayer that Jesus addresses to His Father. We have enough eminent specialists and doctors in the ecclesiastical sciences. What the Church tragically needs today is men of God, men of faith, and priests who adore in spirit and in truth.

Continued below.

Card. Sarah on what the Church "tragically" needs today

From the introduction of Cardinal Sarah's new book. When priests offer the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass unworthily, when they give the Eucharistic Jesus to sinners who have no intention of asking Him to forgive their sin's or of living according to the gospel, they betray Jesus once again. When Mass,

wdtprs.com

 

[MariaChristi]

Dear Michie,

It has been awhile since writing on this Forum, and how happy I am to share one of the most "insightful and beautiful books I have read in a long time!" Perhaps I can share a few lines that I found to be a special "Blessing for me, personally". Cardinal Sara quotes from Pope Benedict XVI often in his books. I was especially blessed by Cardinal Sara's friendship with Pope Benedict, as they were good friends. Below is my favorite quote from Pope Benedict's Encyclical, "Deus Caritas est. 31."

"Love is free; it is not practised as a way of achieving other ends. But this does not mean that charitable activity must somehow leave God and Christ aside. For it is always concerned with the whole man. Often the deepest cause of suffering is the very absence of God. Those who practice charity in the Church's name, will never seek to impose the Church's faith upon others. They will realize that a pure and generous love is the best witness to the God in whom we believe and by whom we are driven to love. A Christian knows when it is time to speak of God and when it is better to say nothing and to let love alone speak. He knows that God is love. (cf 1 John 4:8)".

Blessings to you, Michie and to all who are seeking to love the Lord more and more!
In Jesus, through Mary, our Mother and Mother of the Church,
MariaChristi

 

[Michie]

Dear Michie,

It has been awhileI since writing on this Forum, nd how happy I am to share one of the most "insightful and beautiful books I have read in a long time!" Perhaps I can share a few lines that I found to be a special "Blessing for me, personally". Cardinal Sara quotes from Pope Benedict XVI often in his books. I was especially blessed by Cardinal Sara's friendship with Pope Benedict, who were friends. Below is my favorite quote from Pope Benedict's Encyclical, "Deus Caritas est. 31."

"Love is free; it is not practised as a way of achieving other ends. But this does not mean that charitable activity must somehow leave God and Christ aside. For it is always concerned with the whole man. Often the deepest cause of suffering is the very absence of God. Those who practice charity in the Church's name, will never seek to impose the Church's faith upon others. They will realize that a pure and generous love is the best witness to the God in whom we believe and by whom we are driven to love. A Christian knows when it is time to speak of God and when it is better to say nothing and to let love alone speak. He knows that God is love. (cf 1 John 4:8)".

Blessings to you, Michie and all who are seeking to love the Lord more and more!
In Jesus, through Mary, our Mother and Mother of the Church,
MariaChristi

Wonderful quote! I’m a big fan of Cardinal Sarah. It’s so nice to see you again. I hope you are doing well!