We must always maintain a supernatural vision, because the Church is not a political party and not an NGO, it is the Mystical Body of Christ. Christ Himself is the true Head of the Church. The Pope is only His vicar, His visible head on earth. The Church is, and always will be, in the hands of God. We must continually renew our faith and conviction in this truth, despite the many difficulties the Church has endured over the past 2,000 years, especially the crises surrounding the Holy See and the papacy.
We know of the so-called “Dark Ages.” They were given this name precisely because of the confusion and moral decline that affected the papacy during the 10th and early 11th centuries. At that time, the papal chair was largely controlled by criminal Roman families who installed their often corrupt sons as popes. And yet, the Church survived.
Another major period of papal crisis came during the Renaissance, at the end of the 15th and beginning of the 16th centuries. The Renaissance Popes caused great harm to the moral authority of the papacy. And yet again, the Church survived.
In such times of deep crisis, Divine Providence raised up spiritual renewal not from the high clergy, but from the little ones, the faithful, the hidden saints. During the so-called Dark Ages, the great monastic reform began with Cluny Abbey. From Cluny emerged a serious program of spiritual renewal that spread throughout the Church. From among the Cluniac monks came even popes, the most notable being Saint Gregory VII, who, along with other holy cardinals and bishops, led a true renewal of the Church. This period became known in history as the Gregorian Reform of the 11th century, a reform of the liturgy, the clergy, and the papacy itself.
Likewise, during the time of the Renaissance popes, many simple and holy laypeople and religious quietly lived out their faith, praying and sacrificing for the Church. Many were later canonized. Through their hidden fidelity, the ground was prepared for the great renewal that came with the Council of Trent.
So we must not despair or think with merely human considerations. God will once again provide holy popes. But we must do our part, not simply sit passively. We must pray intensely that God may grant His Church, not in a hundred years but in our own day, holy popes, strong, faithful, 100% Catholic popes. This we must implore with confident prayers, and not just prayers, but also sacrifices. Let us offer them to the Lord, forming a true chain of prayer and sacrifice, asking God to free the Holy See from its current crisis.
Therefore, as Christians and Catholics, we continue forward with hope, with confidence, and always with a supernatural vision, knowing that, despite everything, the Church remains in the almighty hands of God.
Dear visitors of Gloria Dei and all who have already written or who will write a personal message to me. I am grateful for your attention, your kindness, for your spiritual support and especially for your sacrifices and prayers for me. God may reward you!
