 |
The Traditional Old Roman Catholic Church P. O. Box 58324 * Cincinnati, OH 45258 Phone: (513) 301-PRAY (7729) |
 |
|
The Traditional Old Roman Catholic Church P. O. Box 58324 * Cincinnati, OH 45258 Phone: (513) 301-PRAY (7729) |
|
Lack of charity, heartlessness, indifference and lack of concern for our neighbor. People will turn against each other, even in the bosom of the family, people proud in their own knowledge, and turning away from God. Just glance at the daily newspapers to see clearly the above impending signs.
Christ the Judge
The Three Days of Darkness
The Mercy and Justice of God
Introduction
A "Fool for God"
An introduction by
The Most Rev. Michael Stephen, OCD, STD
Presiding Bishop of
The American Traditional Catholic ChurchWhen I first began to hear of the "ThreeDays of Darkness" I took a "reserved" position on the subject not having any background on it nor knowledge of all that it meant or even how this "ethos", if you will, came about. As a child growing up in the Roman Catholic Rite, little was ever spoken in catechesis about the justice of God much less any consequences (beyond those in the afterlife) for disobedience and sin. The good sisters and priests would speak of the "last judgement" only superficially and only as it related to the path we were obligated to walk as Catholics until that time when God called us out of this life to the "particular judgement", proceeded (God willing) to that place of purification known as Purgatory, and ultimately union with God and the Beatific Vision after being cleansed for the temporal effects of sin in Purgatory. As I entered adolescence and had the opportunity to study briefly under the tutorship of two kind and gentle souls from the Seventh Day Adventist Church, I was given the chance to learn from a scriptural point of reference about the mercy and justice of God as it relates to how we are to walk the "straight and narrow path" towards Heaven. I would note as an aside that these two kind people never once asked me forsake or turn my back on my Catholic faith and belief. Rather, unusual as it may seem, encouraged and supported. True, they did often "invite" my family and I to Church but were never judgmental or condemning of my faith. Through the years, as I progressed through life and a myriad of "searches" in expressing my faith, the Catholic ethos had always remained an integral part of me, though at times placed on a shelf, it nonetheless persevered until the present time when I, unworthy that I am, am privileged to serve God as a priestand bishop in this part of the Master's Vineyard known as the American Traditional Catholic Church. The content of this writing is not to expound or teach about the American Traditional Catholic Church. It IS for the purpose of promoting, if you will, a "cause", a "message" which pervades the world at various levels and in various formsand is being disseminated in various ways throughout the world. My "reservation" on the subject of the Three Days of Darkness became more liberal as I became more informed about what was meant by this impending event. Equally, there came an urgency and a driving need to join my voice and that of this Church to the many voices who were attempting not to become a "doomsday machine" but rather to hopefully bring some realization to those who would hear and listen that unless men and women, regardless of status and position in life, did not amend their lives, make reparation to God, console the hearts of Our Lord and Our Lady and immerse ourselves in the love and mercy of God, we were - like the many who disregard and reject God, going to be subject to His judgement and equally subjected to the chastisement described as "The Three Days of Darkness".
As a Bishop and priest within the general "framework" of the Old Roman Catholic Rite, I am sure that many would find this page and my "diatribe" as being aberrant or pathological in the context of the modern world. Many would discount the many messages echoed around the world by visionaries and locutionists of the fate waiting the world if they do not amend their lives and make reparation. I am, by no means, a visionary or locutionist and make no claims at having "privileged information" as to how the Kingdom of God is to be further established in the world. My "position" is founded on the information gleaned from multitudes of sources both on the Internet and in printed form. There would be those who would scoff or perhaps label me as having some psychological pathology that would be the cause for "aberrant" or "eccentric" behavior and position as it relates to the Three Days of Darkness. And, there would be those who would label me foolish for even taking a position on it or giving credence to it. I can only say that which St. Paul said to the Church at Corinth in my defense and those of us who promulgate the need to be aware of an impending chastisement: "We are fools for Christ's sake...we are weak...we are without honor." (I Cor 4:10). I would rather be labeled a "fool for Christ" and hopefully and humbly persevere in serving Him, than to risk possibly offending Him. At the shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes, one will find a plaque which reads: To those who believe, no explanation is necessary. To those who do not believe, no explanation is possible. Hopefully, through this article and the sources provided, the former part - no explanation is necessary - of that statement will be the case.
When we reflect on the increasing discussion on "Three Days of Darkness" circulating world-wide, we are not necessarily speaking of the "Last Judgement" or the "End Times" though what will take place during these 72 hours of chastisement and the aftermath are viewed by some as being prophetic or indicative of the Last Judgement. Yet, Our Lord Himself stated that no one but the Father knows the day and time of the Last Judgement. (Matthew ). St. John speaks extensively in the book of Revelation about the events leading up to that time when Our Lord in all his Glory and Splendor shall return to judge the living and the dead. What may be, however, a more apt description of the Three Days of Darkness may be a "precursory" event in which God, in His infinite mercy, allows mankind one last chance at repentance and amendment of life before the return of Our Lord for the Church Militant. Revelations speaks of a "chastisement" followed by a period of peace and some ascribe to the opinion that the Three Days of Darkness and the aftermath thereof are this chastisement and time of peace. We cannot readily assume that this is the case nor should we err in thinking that this event will be the "end of the world" as spoken of throughout scripture particularly by Our Lord for to do so would presuppose knowing the mind of God and thus incur blasphemy. We cannot, however, deny the fact that the state of the world is such that God's omnipotence and his power are being denied, disparaged, mocked and despised by an increasing number of people and that this behavior, just as in the case of the time of Noah, cannot continue without the consequence of many souls being damned and the destruction of the Church.
Throughout the world of Christendom, the message of the "end times", the "punishment for sins" and "chastisement" is echoed in the words of God's people. It is spoken from pulpits, on street corners, in groups gathered together to pray and worship. It is written about and discussed. Such is the state of affairs in the world at the turn of the 20th century. Groups of men and women - clergy, religious and laity - now turn their attention towards Heaven and the state of mankind, the offenses against God the Eternal Father and events which are felt to be prophetic of a great chastisement. Since the disobedience of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, the realization of the justice of God the Eternal Father and the ultimate downfall of Lucifer have been predicted and written about, discussed, prophesied about and preached. In scripture as well as in the history of the Christian Church, people have been exhorted and admonished to mend their ways, amend their lives and to stop offending God our Eternal Father. Those admonishments and exhortations have gone unheeded. Daily, God is subjected to blasphemy, abuse, and rejection. Places of worship and things holy are desecrated like "pearls cast before swine". Clergy and Religious abandon their vocations and their vows or worse yet, remain and lead others into heretical and dangerous ways of thinking and approaching the faith. The Real Presence of Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament is minimalized or denied or relegated to nothing more than "symbolic". The sanctity of the priesthood is undermined and belittled. Commitment and dedication become more archaic in the eyes of many as modernism and hedonism take a greater hold on society even to the hierarchy of the Church. God's people are abandoned and rejected because they hold fast to the faith as handed down by the Sacred Scriptures, the Apostles and the ancient traditions of the Church. The operative statement in this last sentence is "ancient traditions". In the "milieu of our day" that which was acceptable, believable and reasonable is now viewed as outdated, old fashioned, not applicable and detestable by the standards of the 20th - and soon to be 21st century.
Thus, God the Eternal Father who is and has been slow to anger and quick in kindness now approaches His people as Eternal Judge. The giving of His only begotten son's life in atonement for the sins and negligences of the world has been sullied. His laws have been disregarded. Men and women constantly abhor those things that are holy and in their place put those things which are corrupt and vile and offensive. And, as is the case with any parent, disobedience and disrespect is only tolerated for so long before "corrective measures" are taken. Even in His justice, God our Eternal Father is merciful. Through all the scriptural discussions concerning the judgement, through all the apparitions of the Most Blessed Virgin Mary and the saints, through all the locutionary messages, there runs a "common thread": the mercy and justice of God the Eternal Father. In His justice He also provides a means for "rehabilitation" or reconciliation - a path to follow to avoid punishment. Not a loophole by any means, but a means of reforming ones life while there is time to do so. Our Lord, the Good Shepherd, does not wish to see even one of His little ones lost. Thus, the events leading up to this impending chastisement are signs which give the people of God a chance to prepare and to amend their lives. Will they be removed from the consequences if they do? No. The people of God, like the unjust, shall KNOW the events and the chastisement as they occur. Will the people of God be spared from the consequences if they amend their lives and return to an ardent practice of faith? Yes. In the book of Psalms, David writes, "...you shall not be afraid of the terror by night or the arrow that flies by day, of the pestilence that stalks in darkness or of the destruction that lays waste at noon. a thousand may fall at your right side and 10000 at your right hand but it shall not approach you..." (Psalm 91) yet God's people shall know that God's justice shall be known. Just as the Israelites sat in obedience eating the Passover while the angel of death "passed over" the land of Egypt bringing with it God's justice for the disobedience and disregard of Him by the Egyptians, to while God's people again know that God's justice shall "pass over" and be known in the present day. Yet, where the Israelites reveled over the spirit of God passing over them, the present day people of God who shall experience the Three Days of Darkness shall know the horror of the Devil who will be unleashed and be allowed to roam freely throughout the world during this period of darkness to claim the souls of the unrighteous and the souls of the unbeliever and drag them to the very depths of hell.
Scripture
Many excerpts from Sacred Scripture point towards a "punishment" a "chastisement" of sorts. Take for example the following excerpt from the Old Testament Prophet Joel:
"Blow a trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm on my holy mountain! Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble, for the day of the Lord is coming; Surely it is near. A day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and thick darkness. As the dawn is spread over the mountains, so there is a great and mighty people; There has never been anything like it, nor will there be again after it to the years of many generations. A fire consumes before them, and behind them a flame burns. The land is like the garden of Eden before them, but a desolate wilderness behind them, and nothing at all escapes them. Their appearance is like the appearance of horses; and like war horses, so they run. With a noise of chariots they leap on the tops of the mountains, like the crackling of a flame of fire consuming the stubble. Like a mighty people arranged for battle. Before them the people are in anguish; all faces turn pale. They run like mighty men; they climb the wall like soldiers; and they march in line nor do they deviate from their paths. They do not crowd each other; they march everyone in his path. When they burst through the defenses, they do not break ranks. They rush on the city, they run on the wall; they climb into the houses, they enter through the windows like a thief. Before them the earth quakes, the heavens tremble, the sun and the moon grow dark, and the stars lose their brightness. And the Lord utters His voice before His army. Surely His camp is very great, for strong is he who carries out His word. The day of the Lord is indeed great and every awesome and who an endure it?"
Joel 2The prophet Daniel, quoted by Our Lord Himself, spoke of the "Abomination of Desolation" standing in the temple. And St. John the Evangelist speaks extensively in Revelations of those events of the "end times", the chastisement of the earth, the freedom given the "beast" and his minions to scourge and torment the world. In all these prophetic statements, God's mercy again is a "common thread" sheltering and saving His people from the destruction and the harm that the beast shall be empowered with.
The Mercy of God
In the 1930's Our Lord appeared to a simple nun, St. Faustina Kowalska, and in these apparitions spoke of His Divine Mercy and the means of salvation through His mercy. St. Faustina, though simple and uneducated, became the Apostle of Divine Love, promulgating the message of Divine Mercy and how we, as God's people, can and should immerse ourselves in the merciful love of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, "Let no soul fear to draw near to Me, even though its sins be as scarlet...My mercy is greater than your sins and those of the entire world...I let my Sacred Heart be pierced with a lance, thus opening wide the source of mercy for you. Come then with trust to draw graces from this fountain. I never reject a contrite heart...Sooner would heaven and earth turn into nothingness than would My mercy not embrace a trusting soul." (From the diary of St. Faustina: Divine Mercy in My Soul, #327, 699, 1182, 1485, 1520, 1578, 1777.)
Our Lord, in sacred scripture, stated, "Be merciful even as your Heavenly Father is merciful." (Luke 6:36) and that the measure of mercy we give will be the standard by which God is merciful to us (Matt. 5:7, Matthew 7:2, Mark 4:24,Luke 6:38). Many parables and events in the earthly ministry of Our Lord speak of mercy as well - the parable of the Good Samaritan, Lazarus and the Rich Man, the Unforgiving Servant - all speak of mercy and that only in extending mercy can we expect to receive mercy.
The firm resolution to avoid sin, amending of lives, making reparation for our sins as well as those of the world, and total reliance and immersion in Divine Mercy are those tools which can be employed as the great chastisement identified as the "Three Days of Darkness" approach.
The Queen of Peace
Throughout the history of the Catholic Faith, the Most Blessed Ever-Virgin Mary has appeared repeatedly to individuals in various countries and at various times. At each apparition she has wept and pleaded through those whom she has appeared to for repentance, reparation, prayer and a return to the faith as handed down from Our Lord through the apostles and their successors. At each apparition she has pleaded with the world to stop offending Our Lord, "who is already very much offended." (Fatima, 1917).
This call for repentance and reparation has been the theme of all Marian apparitions. In the present century, the apparitions at Fatima were the most popular and prophetic of visitations from the Most Blessed Ever-Virgin Mary. The Mother of God came to three simple shepherd children in a field and pleaded with the world through these children for prayers of reparation, acts of sacrifice and repentance, in atonement for sins and to appease Our Lord whose justice was being withheld from the world in anticipation that some how, some way, the human race would listen and hear and return to faith and belief in God and stop offending God. The "beautiful Lady" as she was described by Jacinta, the youngest of the three children, stated that unless people amended their lives and repented, even greater tragedies than the war that raged world wide would befall mankind. She came as a mother pleading with disobedient children, begging that they amend their lives and stop offending a loving and merciful Father who was - albeit slowly - being moved towards chastisement of the world for its sin and disobedience. She came as a messenger, urging prayer, urging peace yet forewarning of futurechastisement and "...worse wars..." should people not amend their lives.
Prior to Fatima, Our Lady pleaded but only gently for prayer and penance. At Fatima, her message took on an urgency that carried consequences should the warnings not be heeded. That the message to the world relayed from the Blessed Mother through the three children might be believed, the Miracle of the Sun occurred, seen by at least 200,000 people at Fatima alone not to mention for miles around and attested to by many. Were the warnings and requests heeded. By many yes, but by many more no. She came again as messenger. To Spain at Garabandal, to Mexico in the City of Mexico, to Japan at Akita, and in more recent times at Medjugorje in the former country of Yugoslavia now known as Bosnia. At each apparition, her requests became more urgent until finally she has stated that for the disobedience of the world, chastisement would inevitably come.
"I have come to warn the faithful to amend their lives and to ask pardon for their sins. They must not offend Our Lord any more, for He is already too grievously offended by the sins of men."
Apparitions, Locutions and Visionaries
One well-known visionary, Blessed Padre Pio of Pietralcini, a Franciscan Stagmatist, spoke of the Three Days of Darkness as recently as 1968 before his death. His paternal counsel to those who would listen mirrored those of Our Lady: repentance, reparation, prayer and renewal of faith and belief in the Catholic Faith:
To a priest at Akita, Japan, Our Lady speaks again of the Three Days of Dankness and likewise the sorrow she feels over the neglect and indifference of the clergy particularly of priests. And in various private apparitions and locutions, the Most Blessed Ever-Virgin Mary speaks of chastisement and the justice of God and the indifference of people towards God that will culminate in a great chastisement and purification of the world. These revelations are not isolated nor limited to one group or class of people nor any one particular geographic location. Throughout the world, a common thread connects individuals and groups of individuals through one common message: God's justice is about to be poured out on the world, a chastisement such as has never been known by the world is about to take place and now comes the time of preparation for events that will change the world order and result in a renewal of the people of God and the beginning of a period of peace. What will be required of God's people? What recourse does the all-loving, all merciful and all just Father of Creation, God the Eternal Father, have when His children continue in disobedience and disregard of His laws, His direction and His teaching?
Skeptics and Scoffers
Many who have been asked about the Three Days of Darkness - clergy and laity alike - have been skeptical and have even scoffed at the "medieval" notion of a chastisement of epic proportions taking place in the world. Sadly, many priests discount the recent messages of the "Three Days of Darkness" as nothing more than "magical delusions" and discount that at the end of the 20th century, "messages" of this type would even be given credence much less occur. Sadly, the greater number of skeptics and scoffers are among the clergy who are taken up with an implied ideation that a "reform" of sorts is due in the Church and that the "archaic" and "medieval" notions that are "pervading many groups" is stamped out so as to allow a more "politically correct" ethos and more "realistic" or "practical" approach to faith to accommodate the many and varied groups rather than to hold to orthodoxy in faith and belief. And those same promulgators of skepticism fuel the fires of disbelief that anything could possibly happen, that "all is right with the world" and that to believe that any vision, locution or message that is discussed is simply a modern day "doomsday machine" promoting hysteria and panic and should be ignored. During the pontificate of Pope St. Leo XIII, as His Holiness was celebrating the Mass, Lucifer appeared to him and prophesied the destruction of the Church. When asked by St. Leo when this would occur, Lucifer responded, "Give me 150 years and I will destroy the Church." What better way to begin the destruction but through the "cloud" of disbelief and skepticism? The greatest tool at the devils disposal is to have the world believe that he - the devil - does not exist. It only follows that the devil will then "prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls". Thus, as was written by Franz Werfl in his book, "The Song of Bernadette" from the plaque that is found at the shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes: "To those who believe, no explanation is necessary. To those who do not believe, no explanation is possible."
The Three Days of Darkness
Why will it take place?
In various apparitions and locutions, a period of chastisement is said to be impending upon the world. Mankind. On July 13, 1917, the Most Blessed Ever-Virgin Mary gave the three children a glimpse of hell saying, "You have seen hell where the souls of poor sinners go." Padre Pio spoke of the Three Days of Darkness and the punishment about the befall the world for the sin, blasphemy and disregard of man towards God the Eternal Father. Such has been the progressive condition of the world. Sacrilege and blasphemous behaviors in the world even in the Church. Cardinals of the Roman Catholic Church celebrating the satanic mass within the Basilica of St. Peters in Rome, clergy misleading the people by false and dangerous teaching, religious removing their habits, abandoning their traditions and promoting "New Age" thinking. While at the same time, many clergy, religious and laity are being persecuted for holding to the traditions and teachings of the Catholic faith and attempting to keep the faith alive. The Most Blessed Sacrament once venerated on the altar in the tabernacle is being relegated to "side altars" and inaccessible "chapels" and removed from the Churches so as to make the sanctuary more "Ecumenically appealing". Those things once considered holy and are removed from the Church that the "European influence" might be removed from the Church and a more modern and "politically correct" place of worship may be accessed by the people. Immodest behavior, sexual indiscretion, disregard of the sanctity of marriage, abortion, wars, genocide, blasphemy, corruption of the clergy and misuse of Ecclesiastical authority, all have increased in occurrence and severity to such an extent as to no longer be tolerable to God the Eternal Father. As in the day of Lot and Sodom, as in the time of Noah, the justice of God is about to be poured out on the world because the world has continued to offend, the world has continued to disregard God's law and despite the many warnings both in Scripture and the many apparitions of Our Lord and Our Blessed Mother, the world continues to offend God.
Will there be any warning?
The many messages received for many years indicates that there will be a warning. Just as at Lourdes, a spring miraculously came forth as proof of Our Lady's visitations of Bernadette, just as at Fatima a miracle occurred to convince the people that Our Lady had indeed visited and just as at Medjugorje similar signs have been given, so too will there be a sign to warn that chastisement is about to befall the world. A sign will be given to forewarn the world; one which will be seen throughout the world. It is said that this sign will be seen three days prior to the beginning of the Three Days of Darkness. The messages received thus far state that the sign shall appear as a cross in the sky that will be seen by the world and be preceded by the martyrdom of a youth for the sake of the Blessed Sacrament. Prior to the event, it is stated that all those living shall be accorded an "opportunity" by God the Eternal Father, in His mercy, to see the condition in which their soul is in and where the soul is destined for that the individual to choose whether he or she will choose Heaven or Hell.
The "choice" will determine the "outcome". Either the individual will choose not to amend their life and reconcile with God and incur damnation, or the individual will choose to amend their life, seek reconciliation with God and cease offending God. God does not "impose" salvation on any individual. Salvation is chosen. God, therefore, acts according to the choice made by the individual
Impending signs:
There will be increasing violent disturbances on land, at sea and in the air. There will be an increase in the number and severity of such natural disasters as earthquakes, hurricanes, tornadoes, windstorms, cloudbursts, breaking of dams, overflowing of streams and seas, huge tidal waves, floods, unusual accidents which take many lives, famines, epidemics, destruction, destitution, failure of crops, water and crops will change, becoming more polluted and less nourishing.
Political upheaval, revolutions, downfall of governments, dissensions, wars, confusion and corruption in high places, lack of respect for authority, treachery, corruption, brutalities, atrocities against races and people.
There will be a breakdown of family life such as never before seen. Immorality, adultery, infidelity, promiscuity, perversion and violence of youth. Disobedience, lack of values, indecent dress, countless sins and iniquities. People will be concerned only with the body, with eating, drinking, dancing, amusement, entertainment, and pleasures.
Flaunting and abuse of Church laws. Irreverence and immodesty in church; falling attendance at church, neglect of holy conduct on Sundays and of the sacraments. Sacrileges against the Body and Blood of Christ become rampant while sinful pride occurs in sham-religious activities. General apostasy within the Church, rampant heresies. Many Religious will fall away and take souls with them. There will be alarming declines in religious vocations. Christian countries become lands of pagans, enemies of religion. Persecution of the true faith and suppression of the Church will increase and many will become martyrs for the faith.
What will happen?
When the Three Days begin, the gates of Hell will be opened and satan and his demons shall be released and given authority to roam the earth without limitation. They shall swarm over the earth like locusts, devouring everything in its path. In the book of Revelations, St. John speaks of the devastation that will befall the earth at the hands of the beast and his minions. Our Lord spoke of the devil roaming about the world seeking souls, the prayer of St. Michael speaks of satan, "...who prowls about the world seeking the ruination of souls...". There shall be a darkness over the world which will not be comparable to any known darkness. It will be a literal and spiritual darkness which will preclude vision of any type. This darkness is compared to the darkness of damnation. It shall be devoid of any light, of any redemption, of any hope. The darkness shall be of such a degree as to preclude the sense of vision. In this darkness will move the devil and his demons and like locusts devouring every person that lives which the devil or his demons come upon. The devil will be unleashed to devour and take to hell the souls of the unrighteous and the damned, the souls of those who willingly choose hell rather than heaven. God shall allow this as to "purify" the world much as he did in the flood in the time of Noah. The devil will even seek to deceive and devour the righteous. He will use trickery and manipulation, fear and rage in an attempt to lure the righteous away from God the Eternal Father. An indescribable and incomparable "cold" will cover the earth such as has never been known There will be no electrical power or traditional "amenities". Utilities will cease to function, communications of any kind will cease and all things mechanical shall not work. It will be as if time has come to a stand still. The only source of light will be from candles blessed according to the traditional Rites of the Church Catholic.
Immediate Signs that the Three Days of Darkness are about to begin:
The night will be bitterly cold, the wind will howl and roar, then will come lightning, thunderbolts, earthquakes, the stars and heavenly bodies will be disturbed and restless. There will be NO light, but TOTAL BLACKNESS, utter dark will envelop the entire earth. This will come suddenly like a flash!
Not a single Demon will be left in Hell, hell will be emptied and every evil spirit will be released to roam over the earth and do all possible harm to souls. The evil ones will appear in the most frightening forms and will fill the air with pestilence and poisonous gases, there will be terrifying apparitions. Many will die from fear and despair, the wicked people will behold the Divine Heart of Our Lord.
"My angels, who are to be the executioners of this work, stand ready with pointed swords and they will take special care to annihilate all those who mock Me and would not believe in My revelations."
Hurricanes of fire will rain forth from Heaven and spread over all the earth. Fear will seize mortals at the sight of these clouds of fire, and great will be their cries of lamentation. Many godless will burn in the open fields like withered grass. God's wrath will be poured out upon the whole world, the chastisement will be terrible, such as never before, and will afflict the entire earth.
Satan will triumph in these awful days, and hell will appear to have gained possession of the world, but God will reclaim it, for even this chastisement is an act of God's mercy. He tells us not to pray against it, as it must come, but pray to save yourself and as many others as possible, and pray that these days may be shortened.
 |
 |
 |
