Pope Calls Seminarians, Cardinals, Faithful to 'Christian Non-Conformism'

By Deacon Keith Fournier
2/21/2012
Catholic Online (www.catholic.org)

To speak in general terms, we may say that the Christian is to the world what the soul is to the body

These words will be said to each new Cardinal: "To the praise of God, and the honor of the Apostolic See receive the red biretta, the sign of the cardinal's dignity; and know that you must be willing to conduct yourselves with fortitude even to the shedding of your blood: for the growth of the Christian faith, the peace and tranquility of the People of God, and the freedom and spread of the Holy Roman Church".The sobering words of the Successor of Peter, Pope Benedict XVI, that he spoke to the future priests and the new Cardinals, echo for all of us to hear and reflect upon.The culture we are called to engage is not friendly turf.

The new ring of the Cardinals features the Martyrs of the Church of Rome, Peter and Paul

Facebook Delicous MySpace

Twitter Stumble Digg

More Destinations

ROME, Italy (Catholic Online) - On Wednesday, February 15, 2012, Pope Benedict XVI visited the Pontifical Major Seminary in Rome. He made comments called "off the cuff" by some in the Press. However, observers of this Pope know that these remarks were deliberate. They reflected his deeply held convictions concerning the challenge which the Church faces in a Western culture which has attempted to evict God.

The Holy Father read the first two verses of the twelfth chapter St. Paul's letter to the Christians in Rome, "I urge you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God, your spiritual worship. Do not conform yourselves to this age but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and pleasing and perfect."

Referring to the Church of the seminarians as "the Church of the future, the Church which lives forever" Benedict the Teacher gave a twenty minute exposition of St. Paul's instruction, calling the young men to "Christian non-conformism." He explained that "this does not mean that Christians flee from the world but on the contrary, that they let themselves be transformed by their faith in order thereby to transform the world."

He reminded those studying for the priesthood of two different ways in which the term translated "the world" is used in Sacred Scripture. He noted that the word "world" has two different meanings: creation, loved by God to the point that He gave Himself for its salvation; but also the world represented by the powers of evil that reflect original sin. This "world" is a system which has all too often ejected God. He warned the future priests of two aspects often captive to this world, the world of finance and the world of the media.

Though both in themselves are "useful and good" they are, in the Pope's words "so easy to abuse that they often become the contrary of their true intentions." He challenged the future priests to not conform themselves to this age or this world, in the sense of submission to falsehood, "We do not want always to be praised, we do not want appearances - but the truth." Because, he concluded, "this alone gives us true freedom from the need to please or to speak as the mass thinks."

On February 18, 2012, the consistory - wherein twenty-two Churchmen will be made Cardinals - will begin. They will also be called to a "Christian non-conformism" even to the point of shedding their blood for the ancient yet ever new faith.

These words will be said to each new Cardinal, "To the praise of God, and the honor of the Apostolic See receive the red biretta, the sign of the cardinal's dignity; and know that you must be willing to conduct yourselves with fortitude even to the shedding of your blood: for the growth of the Christian faith, the peace and tranquility of the People of God, and the freedom and spread of the Holy Roman Church."

It is interesting to note that the rings given to those who will join the Senate of advisors to the Pope, the ones who will gather when the need arises to vote for his successor, is different this year. It has been cast with the images of the martyrs of Rome, Saints Peter and Paul. This call to martyrdom reflects the sober tone in which the consistory is set.

In reflecting upon his own selection, Cardinal -designate Timothy Dolan, the Archbishop of New York, in an article for the Catholic New York wrote these words, "When the Holy Father presents the "red hat" to the new cardinals, he will ask us to accept it as a sign of our readiness to shed our blood for the strengthening of the faith, the peace and tranquility of the people of God, and the liberty and growth of the Church. Get it? Blood! Red!"

"Would you pray for me that I might do as I am asked? That I will be a courageous preacher of the
Gospel, and defender of human dignity, the Church and our cherished religious freedom? I need more than your prayers though. I need your joyful witness, your solidarity. Just as the whole community shares in this honor, so too do we all share in the responsibility. If all this only means that I now dress up in a red cassock and red hat, we will have missed the whole point."

"Are you ready to shed your blood? Every Christian disciple should aspire to be brave enough to do so. Please God, the day of shedding one's blood for the faith will not come to New York, but the cardinalatial red should invite everyone to ask some questions and examine our consciences. As Blessed John Paul II observed, "If something is not worth dying for, it's not worth living for." God, family, faith, freedom, one's country, friends, honor, virtue, life itself, the Church -- all worth dying for . . . all worth living for!"

"For my part, I have to ask myself: Where do I show steadfastness now? If I can't be courageous now in small things, how might I be ready to ...

1 | 2 Next Page

Rate This Article

Was this helpful to you? Very Helpful Somewhat Helpful Not Helpful at All

Would you be interested in more articles like this? Yes, I am Interested No, I am not Interested

Rate Article

1 - 7 of 7 Comments

Concerned as well
1 year ago
@ Abey: some in the Catholic Church is seen increasingly to Syncretism in faith into the ways & forms of the local beliefs, except in name, is a matter of grave concern leading to falseness, called the language of satan, to Apostasy, away from GOD.

I read an old book (by Tan publishing sometime ago) on this topic and I don't think most people are aware of a long established, outside agenda to water down the faith, very cleverly (catering to and appeasing the public as if it's "good for them") while deviating away from the true, pure teaching of Christ. When I find the book, I'll share the title. I remember passages though, one was: Beware the modernists!!

We are the one true church, our religion is truly beautiful and we know it! Let us hold fast to our Lord and providence will always guide us rightly in our endeavors in these modern times. We are in spiritual warfare now and satan is making his presence known more and more (from dark pop music, marriage/gay issues (more and more states are signing this..), putting the spotlight on only us, no other faith/religion, etc.) and everyone in our church family needs our prays DAILY. Let us STAND STRONG, not waiver and continue professing Christ's magnificent word no matter what the world does to persecute us! As long as we keep our eye on what is right and good - the devil cannot thwart us, for Christ is always with us! Our satanic world is calling all of us now to bear witness to God, stand strong and save as many souls as possible while there is still time. No other religion/faith touches on morals and virtue likes ours does and it is so desperately needed in our sad world. Satan despises this and is trying to his best to dim our beacon of light. Let us fight this battle knowing we will be redeemed in the end, for GOD IS GREAT and light ALWAYS triumphs over darkness!! Hallelujah! Many blessings to all!
rose pitao
1 year ago
To all people of new york city and all americans and around the globe....... Please go back to JESUS CHRIST the only way who can save all of us. He is now checking our heart who believe in HIM faithfully. The time is fast approaching nearer today is the to call JESUS CHRIST and we must trust in HIM with all our heart and mind with any reserve, Total personal conversion must be given to JESUS CHRIST. THANKS VERY MUCH.
Diane
1 year ago
I feel strengthened by the Popes words yet they are very sobering. The hostility to the Gospel in the United States and against Catholics and many other Christians is growing and is being noticed. Those who hate us are changing the laws as a precursor to arresting and then possibly killing us. Most of the media is weaving a web of charm, "entertainment" and distractions in order to distract us from noticing that through these legal changes our religious freedom is being chipped away. Turn off your TV's and go to Mass or services as much as possible. Listen to what the Bishops,priests and ministers who stand with us are saying.. Pray to be fully converted and steadfast in the truth and draw close to others in your Church and pray! Vote prolife and pro marriage.But most of all pray and if possible, fast.
Emma
1 year ago
This makes me want to sing the words to the title song for the movie "Courgeous".....by Casting Crowns: "The only way we'll ever stand, is on our knees with lifted hands. Lord, make us courageous!" Also in that song they go on to point out that for a long time the Christian people have been "watchers on the side lines". Love that song!
Francis H. Boyer
1 year ago
What a wonderful and inspiring meditation our good Holy Father has given us. He knows what the times ahead will be like and so he prepares us. ("...for behold the days are coming, says the Lord our God") This is the time when we must pray to be ready, and work that we might be steadfast.
Theresa H.
1 year ago
May God be with this "man of God" in the fight for religious liberty in the public square against a hostile "ruler of this age....." I pray that all Americans who believe in "nature's God" will rally around the Cardinal-Elect and all who are fighting for this "cause that is just!"
abey
1 year ago
The letter to Diognetus clearly reflect Spiritual Israel where the Inheritance is of GOD, but live by the law of the land where ever be it. However as Pope Benedict in the truth of the day says of the manner" Be not confined to the world of Finance & to the world of the Media" which Spiritually called "Mammon" & "The Spirit of the power of air" respectively & to this in the South East part of the world, wherein is the seat of paganism, some in the Catholic Church is seen increasingly to Syncretism in faith into the ways & forms of the local beliefs, except in name, is a matter of grave concern leading to falseness, called the language of satan, to Apostasy, away from GOD, like Israel went into. Better understood in the words of Pope Benedict To & In "The Ancient & the New Faith", the ancient faith in the God of Abraham, Issac & Jacob into the new in Christ towards the fulfillment & not to the Ancient pagan ways & forms in its avatars to wilderness in the biblical significance to "The High places that were before Jerusalem on the right hand of the mount of corruption"

Comments submitted must be civil, remain on-topic and not violate any laws including copyright. We reserve the right to delete any comments which are abusive, inappropriate or not constructive to the discussion.

Though we invite robust discussion, we reserve the right to not publish any comment which denigrates the human person, undermines marriage and the family, or advocates for positions which openly oppose the teaching of the Catholic Church.

This is a supervised forum and the Editors of Catholic Online retain the right to direct it.

We also reserve the right to block any commenter for repeated violations. Your email address is required to post, but it will not be published on the site.

We ask that you NOT post your comment more than once. Catholic Online is growing and our ability to review all comments sometimes results in a delay in their publication.

Name *

Email *

Comment *

Send me important information from Catholic Online and it's partners. See Sample

Post Comment