The Reign of Mary, Issue No. 197, Summer 2025

 
Letter from the Editor
by Rev. Fr. Benedict Hughes, CMRI

A Most Egregious Error: Lefebvrism (The “Recognize-and-Resist” Heresy)
by Rev. Fr. Benedict Hughes, CMRI
In our own times there is an equally pernicious teaching, the offspring of many previous heresies. It has to do with the authority and infallibility of the pope. We know that after the definition of papal infallibility by Vatican Council I in 1870, there were many who refused to accept the dogma and broke from the Church, calling themselves “Old Catholics.” There were also many who remained in the Church but watered down the teaching to such a degree as to minimize papal authority. These ideas were the result of previous heresies, such as Gallicanism and Conciliarism. (See the article “Whole and Undefiled” in The Reign of Mary #171.) Today it is not uncommon to find in traditional circles the idea that papal infallibility is so rare that it is exercised only once or twice per century. Others teach that papal judgments and decisions must be examined and rejected if they are not “in accord with tradition” ...This teaching or concept holds that one can recognize an authority yet refuse to obey...
 

The Ordinary Magisterium of the Church Theologically Considered
By Dom Paul Nau, O.S.B., Solesmes
Since the first Vatican Council of 1870, Catholics have no longer any reason for hesitating about the authority to be recognised in the dogmatic judgments pronounced by the Sovereign Pontiff: their infallibility has been solemnly defined in the Constitution Pastor Aeternus in the following terms: “We teach and define, as a dogma revealed from God: When the Roman Pontiff speaks officially from his papal throne (ex cathedra), that is to say, acting in the exercise of his duty as pastor and teacher of all Christians; when in virtue of his supreme apostolic authority, he defines that a doctrine concerning the Faith or Morals must be observed by the Universal Church; then, in virtue of the divine assistance promised to him as the successor of Peter, he enjoys that infallibility which the Divine Redeemer willed His Church to have when she defines that such a doctrine concerning the Faith or Morals should be taught; for this reason such definitions are irreformable of themselves and not in virtue of their approval by the Church” (Denzinger #1839)....

Excommunicated! The Life and Thoughts of Rev. Fr. Joaquin Sáenz
Part XI: Sede Vacante
by Antonio Rius Facius, Translated by Rev. Fr. Ephrem Cordova, CMRI
Fr. Sáenz Arriaga, in the first chapter of Sede Vacante, offers a lesson in Ecclesiastical Law on the meaning of vacancy in the Apostolic See and the substantial difference with the concept of the headless Church. “By vacant see, in canonical language, is understood the lack, by death, resignation, transfer or disappearance, either of the bishops in the local churches, or of the Supreme Pontiff in the Universal Church. The vacant see can last, and in fact has lasted vacant, as recorded in the history of the Church, for a long time, without that vacancy of the pontificate signifying, in any way, the disappearance of the Church itself.”...

Novus Ordo “Miracles”: What Are We to Think of Them?
A Sermon Delivered by Rev. Fr. Joseph Appelhanz on June 1, 2025
For the sermon today, I would like to address a topic which can be confusing for some people, especially recent converts — the topic of supposed miracles in the Novus Ordo. The Novus Ordo claims to have its own saints with miracles worked through their intercession, and numerous Eucharistic miracles. What are we to think of them? Our Lord has warned us that Satan will attempt to deceive, if possible, even the elect. This is what is going on in the Novus Ordo. People are naturally attracted to signs and wonders. The devil makes use of that to trick people....

American Heroes of the Faith: The Martyrs of the 20th Century (Part 2)
by Rev. Fr. Benedict Hughes, CMRI
In this article we will present a few more American martyrs of the 20th century. As stated in our last issue, we only use the term “martyr” in the sense that it appears these missionaries were put to death out of hatred for the Faith. At any rate, they certainly suffered extensively in their mission assignments to foreign lands. Of the four priests whose sufferings and death are detailed in this article, two were from Maryknoll and two were Columban Fathers. The Missionary Society of St. Columban was quite similar to the American Foreign Mission Society (Maryknoll). It (the Columbans) was founded by two Irish priests, Fr. Edward Galvin and Fr. John Blowick in 1917, receiving approval from the Holy See in the following year. The original purpose of the Columbans was to send missionaries to China. Later, they expanded to the Philippines, Korea, Burma and Japan....

The Virgin of Silence
by Rev. Fr. Benedict Hughes, CMRI
In a sermon for the feast of the Visitation, St. Bernardine of Sienna makes interesting observations on the words of Our Lady. He points out that there are only seven times mentioned in Scripture where Our Blessed Mother spoke: twice to the angel at the Annunciation; twice to her cousin Elizabeth at the Visitation; twice to her Son, once in the temple and once at Cana; and once to the waiters at the marriage feast. In all these instances “she always said very little, with this one exception: that she spoke at length in the praise of God and in thanksgiving, namely, when she said ‘My soul magnifies the Lord’. But here she did not speak with man, but with God.”...

Watch and Pray
by Rev. Fr. Francisco Radecki, CMRI
Although Almighty God is perfectly happy, He created angels and humans to share His happiness, giving them intellect and free will. Both angels and men have an obligation to honor and obey Him. God first tested the angels, then human beings. Many passed the test and were rewarded. Others rebelliously disobeyed God and were punished. Since God is infinite, He rewards those who remain faithful to Him with eternal happiness. Those who disobey Him are punished with eternal suffering. Each individual angel or human makes a personal choice: to obey or disobey. Although no one is forced to do evil, individuals must live with the consequences of their actions...

World Watch:
New Votive Mass for “Care of Creation”
Blasphemous Art at Grand Valley State University
Trump Administration Condemns UK’s “Persecution of Silent Prayer”
New Study on Transgenders in America
“Beach Mass” – Another Novus Ordo Abomination
SSPX Pilgrimage to Rome Raises Concerns
Leo Welcomes “Altar Girls”
Novus Ordo Priest Attacked for Preaching About Sin, Hell
Novus Ordo Cardinals, Bishops Support Deviant Priest Group
Abortion Banned in Dominican Republic