St. Thomas Aquinas is the Dominican order’s greatest glory. He taught philosophy and theology with such genius that he is considered one of the leading Christian thinkers. His innocence, on a par with his genius, earned for him the title of “Angelic Doctor”.
He is the patron saint of schools and of sacred theology.
(From The Church’s Year of Grace by Pius Parsch)
Today is the feast of St. Thomas Aquinas.
Because of this and because of current events in the Catholic Church, I am thinking about him and about my time with the Society of St. Pius X.
I’ve alluded to the fact that I was a “traditionalist” once. I wore skirts almost exclusively—no, exclusively—and freaked out when I went to shopping malls, where the young women were not in skirts exclusively. (Or if they were, they were really really short.)
I do not regret my time with this group of people, however. I established some beautiful friendships that have changed my life and was greatly edified by most of the priests. (In fact, it was a dear French priest from the SSPX who gave the retreat that led to my conversion. I am forever indebted to Father Lafitte.)
More than anything, my time with the Society of St. Pius X was for me a safe haven after my conversion.* At that point I really needed a clear set of guidelines by which to live.
The SSPX was more than willing to provide this set of guidelines. : )
I am reflecting on my time with them this morning because one, I remember what a huge celebration took place at the school on the feast of St. Thomas Aquinas. (They celebrated it on March 7th, though, according to the old calendar.) Also, have you seen that Pope Benedict has lifted the excommunication of the Society’s four bishops? This is huge, and I have been praying for reconciliation for many, many years.
Of course, that rabble-rouser Bishop Williamson is still raising trouble. God love him but that man’s crotchety.
I went to confession with Bishop Williamson once. He came to say Mass at a teeny tiny church in Grand Forks, ND and I dragged my (non-traditionalist) sister along with me. After the Mass, when I told her I wanted to go to confession, she looked me in the eye and said firmly, “Margaret, don’t take forever in there.”
I didn’t. I think I was done in 40 minutes or so.
(This was very, very rude of me. I apologize for having done this.)
To this day I remember the advice that the good bish gave me. My husband remembers the advice the good bish gave me because we joke about it often. In addressing my questions about my path of life, (I was single, a college student, and most confused), the bishop told my job was to find a good man, marry him, and make…him…HAPPY!
He said it just like that, too: Make…him…HAPPY! He kind of hissed the word “happy.” It was hilarious and was totally worth being in the confessional for 40 minutes.
Anyway, enough nostalgia. I am praying today to our beloved St. Thomas Aquinas. I am praying to be a saint like him—holy but not “too” holy, if you know what I mean—and I am praying for reconciliation between Rome and the Society of St. Pius X.
And I am praying a prayer of thanksgiving for having found that man and for the way he makes me happy!
All for the Greater Glory of God,
*Do you remember my conversion story? I haven’t forgotten that I haven’t finished, and will resume its retelling when I can.
I’m not sure exactly what the SSPX is all about, and why the were excommunicated, but that’s wonderful that there is a chance for peace. I know Jamie will be happy about that, right?
You bet she will!
It would take you a long time to sift through all the particulars of the SSPX, Jen. Long story short: they don’t agree with the changes made during Vatican II.
Well, Thomas Aquinas is connected to us, and our being “HAPPY”, too, but we didn’t know it at the time. 😉
Great post, Margaret. I do pray that Pope Benedict’s actions and welcome will be enough.
Saint Thomas Aquinas: The Story of ‘The Dumb Ox’ by Mary Fabyan Windeatt is one of our favorites. It’s about time to read it again!
Praying here too…would be so nice to have these churches and these seminaries, school and religious ONE with the Catholic church as they, almost exclusively, have protected tradition and the Mass the saints worshipped at.
May they meet with our courageous Pope in humility.
I wore skirts almost exclusively
Maybe the real problem was that you didn’t read farther down to where it says you have to wear tops, too.
Oh, Bearing, you are so funny!!
Yes, Margaret, I am praying too. This new acceptance of the bishops gives me much hope!
bearing: LOL! This story made me smile Margaret. Thank you for sharing it.
What a great story! Thanks for sharing!
I agree that more Christian unity is always a good thing. I am proud of the Pope for attempting to heal this breach.
I also agree that another seminary teaching men in the tradition of St. Thomas Aquinas (this is how all seminaries taught at one time) will lead to more holiness and more souls entering Heaven. The only full seminary in the US today is the FSSP one in Nebraska. These men have become such a light to the world, wouldn’t it be wonderful if there was another such seminary?
A convert and traddie,
Katherine
Margaret,
I had no idea you were once SSPX! How funny that our pasts were so radically different… me being a product of hippie/charismatics! (you’d never know it from my introverted personality, while you, being so outgoing, must surely have been part of the charismatic movement…)
And we are still dear friends of the heart.
🙂
God certainly reaches us where we are at, and gives us what we need, when we need it.
Fr. Lafitte also brought me into the Church.
I’ve been praying for years for reconciliation and am thrilled with the progress recently.
Kicking up the prayers a notch now. For the real hard issues haven’t yet been worked out.
Nope, ‘Meg, I was never involved in the Charismatic movement. I guess I’m an introvert when it comes to expressing myself prayerfully!
Yes, Erin, forgetting one’s blouse was certainly cause for scandal with the Society. Here’s another story from those days for you:
My friend and I were headed down the hill from the girls’ dormitory to attend a wedding in the church on campus. “Is that a woman wearing pants?!” I asked her. Yes, I was properly scandalized.
It wasn’t a woman in pants, however. It was a priest, with hair down to his waist and wearing—not a cassock, which was the custom—but the pants I had previously noted.
He was a friend of the groom’s. : )
Oh, my goodness, did no one warn that poor hippy priest beforehand?! I would recommend that anyone who desires to learn more about the SSPX and the recent developments, visit
http://rorate-caeli.blogspot.com/
Great post, Margaret. It gave me an excuse to learn more about the church in all it’s richness.
Hi Margaret! Do you have an opinion on Bishop Williamson’s statements about the Holocaust and his recent apology for them?
I’m happy if the SSPX comes home to Rome but they are really going to have to deny or repudiate many of their statements regarding the validity of the Papacy since VII and their problem with the NO Mass and the current liturgical calender.
I’d be interested to hear more about what lead you out of SSPX, if you were open to share 🙂
I think I understand what their appeal is. I agree with you, they give a very firm set of guidelines and some people are indeed looking for that.
I think sometimes it takes a bigger shift in thinking to come out of a group like that rather then to join them. To me that is the interesting part. Just curious 🙂
I thought your picture looked familiar! I was in high school at SMA while you were in college! I loved Fr. Lafitte!! And I too pray for reconciliation with SSPX and the Church. Blessings to you and your family!