The Station of the Silent Church

The roots of this hatred and intolerance of religion lie in the essence of communist ideology. Marx dubbed religion the “opiate of the masses,” and opined that, “Communism begins where atheism begins.” --Paul Kengor, The War on Religion

The Station of the Silent Church

Our Lady Comforter of the Afflicted Shrine

Youngstown, OH

THE FOURTH STATION: JESUS MEETS HIS MOTHER
We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You:
because by Your holy cross You have redeemed the world.

   Yet you drew me forth from the womb, made me safe at my mother's breast.
   Upon you I was thrust from the womb; since birth you are my God.
   Do not stay far from me, for trouble is near, and there is no one to help. Ps 22:10-12

It should be no surprise that Catholic teaching does not support Socialism. Pope Leo XIII's Encyclical Letter Rerum Novarum directly denounced Socialism outright. As long as the Church remained silent, the Soviet Union could carry out it's diabolical scheme without opposition. The people could be effectively indoctrinated and would serve the state without question if there was no Church to so blatantly contradict the fundamentals of communism. It was the darkness of which Our Lady warned the world at Fatima.

With their Churches destroyed, their priests arrested and executed, the Church oppressed was forced to operate secretly. Some lost hope, and it became harder and harder to continue.  Many, though, pressed on, carrying their faith on in secrecy.  Those priests who were able to escape arrest were vigilantly protected by the faithful. Confessions and Masses were held in the woods, homes, barns, wherever space could be found out of sight from the KGB. A clandestine network of believers worked tirelessly to smuggle hand-copied segments of the scriptures, sacramentals, money, even priests between the stolen lands of the U.S.S.R.

How much do I really know about Catholic social teaching?
Have I spent time studying scripture, the Catechism, or papal documents and encyclicals to help me to better understand my faith?
Have I been formed enough in my faith to persevere the misinformation and erroneous teachings about my beloved faith?

Lord Jesus, just as your holy mother suffered silently with you while you carried the burden of your cross upon your back, never leaving you until you were laid to rest, your bride suffered silently for decades beneath the burden of Socialism, and continued to worship.  Thank you for the gift of your mother--may we all revere her as our perfect model for salvation. Give us the desire to seek out the truth that is your Church, waiting for us to discover it.  There may one day come a time when we are forced into silence; but until that happens, Lord Jesus, give us the courage to speak out, and the grace to live that which we preach.

   A great sign appeared in the sky, a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars.  She was with child and wailed aloud in pain as she labored to give birth.
   Then another sign appeared in the sky; it was a huge red dragon, with seven heads and ten horns, and on its heads were seven diadems. Rv 12:1-3

To be a disciple requires vigilance in the face of any obstacle.

Our Lady Queen of Peace, pray for us.

TO THE BEGINNING