Episode 3081: Thou Art Peter - Morning Episode

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Speak Lord for your Servant is Listening

Book Recommendation of the Day
Opus Metricum by Giacomo Gaetani Stefaneschi
This early 14th-century work is one of the earliest biographies of Celestine V. Written in poetic form, it offers a contemporary perspective on his papacy and resignation.
Before we get into this mornings episode and hopefully in light of the theme for today, I want to ask the question of what is the difference between orthodoxy, hetrodoxy and apostacy?
More importantly in conjunction with that question, I have to ask the obvious question of why are we so concerned with what the Pope believes or what he supports? If not the doctrines of the Church it is quite simple, it doesn’t really matter because we just don’t follow what has not been handed down. There you have it. But lets dive a little deeper.
these three terms are often used in theological discussions, especially within traditional Catholicism, and they carry distinct meanings related to belief and faithfulness to Church teaching:
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1. Orthodoxy
Definition:
Orthodoxy means "right belief" or "correct teaching." In the context of the Catholic Church, it refers to adherence to the authentic and traditional teachings of the Church as handed down through Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition.
• An orthodox Catholic accepts the Magisterium (teaching authority) of the Church, its doctrines, dogmas, and moral teachings without deviation.
• Orthodoxy is rooted in fidelity to truth, as defined by the Church, especially in areas of faith and morals.
Examples:
• Believing in the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist.
• Affirming the dogma of the Trinity or the Immaculate Conception of Mary.
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2. Heterodoxy
Definition:
Heterodoxy means "other belief" or "deviation from correct teaching." It refers to opinions or doctrines that are contrary to or at variance with orthodox Catholic teaching, but not necessarily so far off as to be formal heresy or apostasy.
• A heterodox teaching might still be within the visible bounds of the Church but is in error or confusion often unintentionally.
• Heterodoxy can arise from poor catechesis, modernism, or personal misinterpretation of Church teaching.
Examples:
• Saying that the Eucharist is only symbolic (denying transubstantiation but not explicitly rejecting the Church).
• Suggesting all religions are equally true paths to God (contrary to extra Ecclesiam nulla salus – "outside the Church there is no salvation").
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3. Apostasy
Definition:
Apostasy is the complete and willful abandonment of the Catholic faith. It is a grave sin and one of the most serious offenses against God and the Church.
• Apostasy goes beyond heresy (which denies one or more dogmas) and implies a total rejection of Christianity itself or a full departure from the Church.
• It often involves embracing another religion entirely (e.g., converting to Islam or paganism) or becoming atheist or agnostic after once believing.
Examples:
• A baptized Catholic becoming a Buddhist and denying the divinity of Christ.
• A priest publicly renouncing his faith and declaring he no longer believes in God.
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Summary Table
Term Meaning Status in Church Example
Orthodoxy Right belief / correct teaching Fully faithful Believing in the Trinity, the Eucharist
Heterodoxy Deviation from Church teaching Error, not formal heresy Denying Mary's perpetual virginity (out of ignorance)
Apostasy Total abandonment of the faith Mortal sin, full rupture Leaving the Church to become atheist or pagan
So how do we view our vicar of Christ? By Orthodoxy and not modernity. The Pope has no official position to work against the orthodoxy of the faith.
I am doing an episode on how this rupture occurred after Vatican II and why as faithful at that time there should have been a schism in 1969. So let me give you a sneak preview of that episode.
The documents of the Second Vatican Council (Vatican II) did not call for a radical overhaul of the liturgy. Instead, they called for modest, organic development. The key document on the liturgy is Sacrosanctum Concilium, promulgated on December 4, 1963. Here's what it actually says and how it was interpreted and then implemented by figures like Archbishop Annibale Bugnini.
What Sacrosanctum Concilium Really Said
1. Preserve the Latin language:
o “The use of the Latin language is to be preserved in the Latin rites.” (SC 36.1)
2. Allow limited use of the vernacular:
o “But since the use of the mother tongue frequently may be of great advantage to the people, the limits of its employment may be extended.” (SC 36.2)
3. Promote active participation:
o “The Church earnestly desires that all the faithful should be led to that fully conscious, and active participation in liturgical celebrations which is demanded by the very nature of the liturgy.” (SC 14)
4. Organic development:
o “There must be no innovations unless the good of the Church genuinely and certainly requires them; and care must be taken that any new forms adopted should in some way grow organically from forms already existing.” (SC 23)
So, Why Did the Mass Change So Drastically?
After Vatican II, a commission called the Consilium was established to implement the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy. Archbishop Annibale Bugnini was the secretary and driving force behind the Consilium. Many traditional Catholics argue that Bugnini and others exceeded the Council’s mandates, effectively reconstructing the Mass rather than implementing careful reform.
Here’s what happened:
• In 1969, Pope Paul VI promulgated the Novus Ordo Missae (New Order of the Mass).
• It was a radical departure from the Tridentine Mass (codified by St. Pius V after the Council of Trent), in terms of structure, prayers, orientation, and tone.
• Many traditional elements, including silent prayers, references to sin and sacrifice, and the emphasis on the Real Presence, were softened or removed.
• The Mass was now primarily in the vernacular, often facing the people, with a much greater focus on community rather than on God alone.
Bugnini is alleged to have said the goal was to make the Mass “acceptable to Protestants.” While this quote is disputed, the ecumenical orientation of the reform is widely acknowledged.
But I will stop there in this episode and the reason I wanted to mention it in this morning episode is to tie it into
Thou Art Peter: The Papacy, Humility, and the Cross
Opening Greeting:
Pax Domini sit semper vobiscum. Today we as commemorate Pope St. Peter Celestine, a humble and holy man who renounced the papacy not out of cowardice, but deep sanctity.
Epistle – 1 Peter 5:1–4, 10–11:
“Dearly beloved: The ancients that are among you, I beseech, who am myself also an ancient, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as also a partaker of that glory which is to be revealed in time to come.
Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking care of it not by constraint, but willingly, according to God; not for filthy lucre’s sake, but voluntarily:
Neither as lording it over the clergy, but being made a pattern of the flock from the heart.
And when the prince of pastors shall appear, you shall receive a never-fading crown of glory.
But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto His eternal glory in Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a little, will Himself perfect you, and confirm you, and establish you.
To Him be glory and empire forever and ever. Amen.”
Reflection:
This Epistle, written by St. Peter, the first pope, speaks to all future shepherds. It is a blueprint of true ecclesiastical leadership: humility, service, sacrifice, and example. It condemns the spirit of power-hunger and careerism, which sadly afflicts the modern episcopacy. Peter exhorts us to be pastors with the heart of Christ, not rulers with worldly ambition.
Gospel – Matthew 16:13–19
“At that time Jesus came into the quarters of Caesarea Philippi: and He asked His disciples, saying: Whom do men say that the Son of man is?
But they said: Some John the Baptist, and other some Elias, and others Jeremias, or one of the prophets.
Jesus saith to them: But whom do you say that I am?
Simon Peter answered and said: Thou art Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answering, said to him: Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-Jona: because flesh and blood hath not revealed it to thee, but My Father who is in heaven.
And I say to thee: That thou art Peter; and upon this rock I will build My Church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
And I will give to thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven. And whatsoever thou shalt bind upon earth, it shall be bound also in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose upon earth, it shall be loosed also in heaven.”
Reflection:
This is the divine institution of the papacy. Christ gave Peter not just leadership, but the keys a sign of authority, unity, and spiritual governance. Yet note that this power is rooted in Peter’s profession of faith: “Thou art Christ, the Son of the living God.”
Today, many misuse this Gospel to justify papal absolutism or modernist reforms. But the traditional understanding sees the pope as servant of the Truth, not its author. His job is to safeguard, not to reinvent the Faith.
Feast Day – May 19: St. Peter Celestine (Pope and Confessor)
• Born: c. 1215, Abruzzi, Italy
• Elected Pope: 1294, at the age of nearly 80
• Resigned: after a few months, due to deep humility and unpreparedness for administrative burdens
• Died: 1296, imprisoned by successor Boniface VIII
Reflection:
St. Peter Celestine was a monk and hermit, renowned for holiness and miracles. The Church, after long division, chose him out of desperation. But once pope, he longed only for silence and penance. His resignation was mocked by some. Dante famously placed him in Hell in Inferno—yet Holy Mother Church canonized him for his sanctity.
Lesson: Not all power is holy. Not all positions of glory are to be clung to. Sometimes, the greatest victory is to surrender to God's will and choose the cross of obscurity over the crown of fame.
Quotes & Themes of the Day:
• “Thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build My Church.” – Matthew 16:18
• “Feed the flock of God… not by constraint, but willingly.” – 1 Peter 5:2
• “The more one possesses, the more one fears to lose.” – St. Peter Celestine
• Theme 1: The Papacy is a Divine Institution – Christ chose Peter, not as a king, but as a rock grounded in faith.
• Theme 2: True Shepherds Imitate the Chief Shepherd – They suffer, serve, and sanctify.
• Theme 3: Humility over Ambition – The saintly resignation of Peter Celestine reminds us that sanctity does not seek power.
Conclusionary Prayer:
In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
O Lord Jesus Christ, who didst build Thy Church upon the rock of Peter’s confession, grant that we may remain ever faithful to the Faith once delivered to the saints.
Through the intercession of Pope St. Peter Celestine, give us hearts detached from worldly honors, and fill us with a burning love for silence, humility, and union with Thee.
Strengthen Thy Church amidst confusion, and raise up pastors after Thine own Heart, who will feed Thy sheep in truth and charity.
Preserve the Chair of Peter, purify its occupants, and may the gates of hell never prevail against Thy Mystical Body.
Amen.
St. Peter Celestine, pray for us.
St. Peter the Apostle, pray for us.
Mary, Mother of the Church, pray for us.
Come, Holy Ghost, fill the hearts of Thy faithful.
In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
Closing:
Thank you for joining us on this feast of St. Peter Celestine. May his life inspire us to seek not the praise of the world, but the favor of God. Remain firm in the Faith, loyal to Christ’s Church, and ever watchful for the Voice of the True Shepherd.
Until next time may God bless you and keep you under His care.