Overheard in the Sacristy

Pope says he’s consoled by stories of apostles, disciples arguing

By Cindy Wooden | Catholic News Service

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Benedict XVI said he finds consolation in the New Testament stories of the apostles and first disciples arguing with each other.

Continuing his series of audience talks about the leaders of the early church, Pope Benedict spoke Jan. 31 about St. Paul and St. Barnabas arguing over whether they should take another person with them on a mission.

“So, even among saints there are contrasts, disagreements, controversies,” the pope said.

“This appears very consoling to me, because we see that the saints did not drop as saints from heaven. They were men like us with problems and even with sins,” the pope said before he was interrupted by applause.

“Holiness consists not in never having made a mistake or sinned,” he said, but rather it grows with “conversion, repentance, with a willingness to start over and, especially, with the ability to reconcile and forgive.”

“We can all learn this path to holiness,” he said…

For all my brother priests who continue to be martyred in many different ways.

From A Catholic Life:

Saint Philip Neri once gave a lady who gossiped the following penance:

“Go to the market, buy a chicken, and pluck it on your way back here, scattering the feathers as you walk. When you give me the plucked chicken, I’ll tell you the rest of your penance.”

The woman was baffled did as she was told. After she handed the plucked chicken to the saint, St. Neri said, “Now that you’ve spread those feathers about, go pick them up.”

“But, Father! It’s impossible to know where they’ve all gone!”

“Just like the words of your gossip,” he said.

“Even today there is no lack of “unworthy and treacherous Christians in the church,” the pope said, so “it is up to each one of us to counteract the evil done by them” with a clear and faithful witness to Christ.” – His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI | October 18, 2006

Our Lord’s Revelations to Mutter Vogel
Mutter Vogel’s Worldwide Love | St. Grignon Publishing House | Altoting, South Germany (Repost)

“One should never attack a priest, even when he’s in error, rather one should pray and do penance that I’ll grant him My grace again. He alone fully represents Me, even when he doesn’t live after My example!” — 29.06.1929.

When a Priest falls we should extend him a helping hand through prayer and not through attacks. “I myself will be his judge, no one but I.” “Whoever voices judgment over a priest has voiced it over Me; child, never let a Priest be attacked, take up his defense.” — Feast of Christ the King 1937

“Child, Never judge your confessor, rather pray much for him and offer every Thursday, through the hands of My blessed Mother, Holy Communion (for him).” — 18.06.1939

“Never again accept an out-of-the-way word about a Priest, and speak no unkind word (about them), even if it were true. Every Priest is My Vicar and My heart will be sickened and insulted because of it. If you hear a judgment (against a Priest) pray a Hail Mary.” — 28.06.1939

“If you see a Priest who celebrates the Holy Mass unworthily then say nothing about him, rather tell it to Me alone! I stand beside him on the altar!” “Oh pray much for My priests, that they’ll love purity above all, that they’ll celebrate the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass with pure hands and heart. Certainly the Holy Sacrifice is one and the same even when it is celebrated by an unworthy priest, but the graces called down upon the people is not the same!” –28.02.1938