[Greek] ὑπομένω (hypomenō), [Latin] persevere, [Latin] permanere, [Latin] sustinere, [Latin] remanere, [Latin] patientia, [Latin] suffererre, [French] persister, [French] continuer, [French] endurer, [French] maintenir: to stay behind, to expect, to wait for, to endure, to persevere, to suffer, to expect; 18 scriptures
The conflict between the SSPX and the Vatican/Synodal Church is more about than following the Vatican II/Synodal Church. This dispute focuses on this more important question. Who has been more faithful to Catholic teachings and traditions? It is the SSPX.
Background information:
Greek Hellenism: This term means to remain, to be patient, to stand firm, to suffer, and to endure.
Andocides’ On the Mysteries 1.121: “He saw that I was standing my ground, intending to have me either put to death without a trial or banished.”
Homer’s Iliad 5.498: “So they rallied and took their stand with their faces toward the Achaeans.”
Plato’s Laches 194a: “Let us too be steadfast and enduring in our inquiry. Might we perchance find that this very endurance is courage.”
Xenophon’s Memorabilia 2.1.3: “And to which shall we give the habit of not shirking a task, but undertaking it willingly? And to which would the knowledge needful for overcoming enemies be more appropriately given?”
Homer’s Odyssey 10.232: “Only Eurylochus remained behind, for he suspected there was a snare.”
Old Testament: This term means to wait on God, to cleave to God, and to have hope (confidence) in God. Attention is directed to God. The righteous person endures on God, rather than on one’s own courage and steadfastness.
New Testament: This term means to persevere, to remain behind, to bear, and to endure.
Mt.10:22: “You will be hated by all because of My name, but whoever endures to the end [death] will be saved.” (Jesus states that a faithful disciple may (will) be hated [experiencing opposition, persecution, or even martyrdom]. Historically, early Christians were often ostracized and persecuted by both Jewish and Roman authorities. Perseverance requires steadfast faith amidst trials and true discipleship. The promise of salvation is contingent on enduring faith.)
Rom.12:12: “Rejoice in hope, endure in affliction, persevere in prayer.” (One is called to maintain joy through the difficulties and struggles. This joy (hope) is a fruit of the Holy Spirit which represents a trust in God’s faithfulness. Patience in affliction is a call to endure hardships with a steadfast spirit. This patience models Christ’s suffering.)
2Tim.2:12: “If we persevere we shall also reign with Him. But if we deny Him, He will deny us.” (The Christian life includes endurance, witness, persecution, suffering, and even martyrdom. Jesus will be true to those who are faithful to Him. Jesus will disown those who deny Him.)
Heb.12:2: “For the sake of the joy that lay before Him, He endured the cross, despising its shame, and has taken His seat at the right of the throne of God.” (The audience is encouraged to look away from the distractions and challenges, and focus on Jesus for guidance and strength. The joy highlights Jesus’ motivation in enduring the cross: humanity’s redemption, His exultation, and the glory to be revealed. The glory to be revealed FAR OUTWEIGHS our present struggles and sufferings.)
Heb.12:7: “Endure your trials as discipline; God treats you as sons. For what “son” is there whom his father does not discipline.” (Like a human father, God may discipline sons and daughters with trials and difficulties. We are called to persevere in running the [Christian] race that lies before us, while keeping our eyes on Jesus. )
Running the race:
- The Christian is likened to an athlete who must prepare himself/herself for the difficult race (the Christian life).
- The Christian seeks to reach the finish line to win the imperishable crown of glory, the victory won by being faithful to Christ.
- The crown of life was a wreath given as a reward to great statesmen, soldiers, and athletes.
- The highest crown was given those who attained martyrdom.
1Pet.2:20: If you are patient when you suffer for doing what is good, this is a grace before God.” (One’s patient suffering [often through no fault of their own] is compared to as a participation in Jesus’ suffering. It can also be said that one suffers in union with Christ. This suffering can be offered up for the salvation of souls.)
Oral Tradition:
- The ‘scriptures’ mentioned in the New Testament actually referred to the Old Testament.
- The New Testament’s “canon of books” had NOT yet been formulated.
- The CHURCH (AND ORAL TRADITION) PROCEEDED THE SCRIPTURES!!!
- The primary means for the transmission of the faith was by word of mouth (oral tradition).
- Paul entrusted the deposit of faith (oral tradition) to Timothy.
- Many could not read or write. Printing materials were scare and expensive.
- Letters were sent in response to issues (crises) in the geographical areas.
- Luke, a 2nd or 3rd generation Christian, learns about Jesus through oral tradition and eyewitness accounts.
- The Catholic faith stands on three legs (pillars): sacred scripture, apostolic Tradition, and the living Magisterium (teaching authority of the Church.)
- The Catholic understanding of authority refutes Sola scriptura (the belief that scripture is the sole source of authority).
Pope Gregory XVI’s encyclical Mirari Vos (1832): refuting the need for a human “restoration” of the Church:
“All truth was daily taught it by the inspiration of the Holy Ghost. It is obviously absurd and injurious to propose a certain restoration or regeneration for her [the Church] as though necessary for her safety and health, as is she could be considered subject to defect or other misfortune. These authors of novelties consider that a foundation may be laid of a human institution. That what was a divine thing may become a human Church.”
- This encyclical repudiates and invalidates the need, purpose, and validity of bringing HUMAN traditions, questionable ecumenism, worldliness, and the “smoke of Satan” (spirit of undermining) into the Church.
- Prior to Vatican II, the Church was SEPARATE FROM THE WORLD. This is actually a very good thing for the Church and for society.
- Prior to Vatican II, the Church IS the Catholic Church. (“Outside the Church there is NO salvation.”) CCC 846
- It was naively thought that the Church needed to “get with the times”. This unfortunately led to a pastoral and theological disaster for the Church.
- Jesus’ Church is a divine institution under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. There was/is no need to change Jesus’ Church.
- St. Augustine also states that there is no salvation outside the Church.
- Yet the Modernists and Synodalists wanted to continue what Vatican II had started. Let that sink in!
- Synodality is creating a worldly Church made in the image of man and his lived experiences.
SSPX’s profession of faith: the face of modern errors (from Vatican II, post-Conciliar reforms, and Synodality:
- Modernism: reducing faith to one’s religious sentiment, perceptions, and lived experiences and excluding (minimizing) supernatural truths
- False humanism: man celebrates his infinite dignity. Only God has infinite dignity
- Modern naturalism: fraternity, peace, dignity, progress is celebrated without mention of sin
- False ecumenism: unity of faith comes from moving outside the Catholic Church
- Indifferentism: all religions are equally valid. Other religions reflect some aspect of truth
- New ecclesiology: this undermines and changes Jesus’ Church (Ex. Synodality)
- Inculturation and syncretism: adopting and inserting pagan or ethnic practices (rituals) into the gospel and Mass
- Evolution of dogma: attitudes can change doctrine. Revealed truths can change
- Situational ethics: circumstances can render intrinsically evil actions as acceptable or good.
- Naturalism: the Church focusing more on MAKING A BETTER WORLD/SEEKING FAVOR WITH THE WORLD rather than on BRINGING SOULS INTO HEAVEN
- Modern prejudice against the Church: the Church becomes oppressive, hateful, and hostile to human dignity
- Christianity without the cross: focusing on inclusion, tolerance, false conversion rather than sin, morality, doctrine, scripture, and imitation of the saints
- Liturgical anthropocentrism of the Mass: changing the focus on the sacrifice of Jesus to a man-centered celebration of a community meal
- Dishonoring Mary: to weaken Marian doctrine teachings
- A pastoral practice that contradicts doctrine is NOT pastoral
Conclusion:
Persevere, perseverance, permanent, sustain, remain, remainder, patient, patience, suffering, suffer, persist, persistence, maintain
Update: Many Protestants are becoming Catholic because they are learning about the early Church, Church fathers, and Church Tradition.
The Prefect of the Dicastery of the Doctrine of the Faith Tucho Fermandez claims that all will be saved. So Tucho Fernandez knows better, but Augustine and the Council of Trent had it wrong. Let that sink in.
In this Synodal Church, traditional and conservative Catholics and Christians are now called “rigid”, “backward-looking”, and “having a disease of nostalgia”.
In a counter-response against the liturgical and doctrinal confusion and ambiguity, a Holy Spirit-inspired inexorable movement leading people to gravitate toward Tradition and doctrinal clarity is already happening in the Church. The TLM, where allowed, is thriving.
It seems that Traditiones Custodes is the only administrative tool that the Modernists and Synodalists have in their “Synodal toolbox” to try to stop this movement toward Tradition. Aside, from that, they are UNABLE to stop this movement.
The younger priests and seminarians are becoming conservative and traditionally minded. This is in contrast to the older generations of liberal and progressive clergy since Vatican II.
At Vatican II, Pope Paul VI and a commission of Protestant theologians actually created the Novus Order Mass. This Mass changed the Mass from the Sacrifice of Jesus to a communal meal. Let that sink in!
Now the German Synodal Church wants to have the laity give the homily at Mass. Fortunately, Vatican II had shut this down. It remains to be seen if the German bishops will comply.
Synodal arrogance: focusing on man’s infinite dignity is just a characteristic of a Church made in man’s image and lived experiences.
What is the uncomfortable truth revealed by the SSPX document: This speaks more about Vatican II and Synodality. This document shows how much Vatican II and the Synodal Church have “gone off the doctrinal rails” for a Church that Jesus established.
Vatican II ===> a pastoral and spiritual disaster. The German Synodal Church ===> decline and heresy. Do you see a pattern? Are you surprised?
Other SSPX proclamations:
- These errors were also condemned by Pope Pius X, Pope Leo XIII, Pope Pius X, Pope Pius XI, and Pope Pius XII.
- Mary does actually hold a honor and distinct role in the Church. She IS Co-Redemptrix and Co-Mediatrix.
- Our Lord Jesus founded one Church.
- Human traditions must NOT change the authority (organization and decision-making) of the Catholic Church.
- Present Magisterium cannot substantially contradict past Magisterium.
- Moral truths founded by God’s wisdom cannot change.
“We do not want a Church that will move with the world. We want a Church that will move the world.” GK Chesterton
“Nothing great is ever achieved without much enduring.” St. Catherine of Siena
“Our future is our past.” Archbishop Lefebvre (Tradition brings TRUE REFORM and TRUE RENEWAL for the Church.)
“Be grateful for trials and tribulation, as they force us to have recourse to the Heavenly Consoler. When all is going well, we forget about God; only in adversity do we seek Him for comfort.” St. Frances de Sales