The Tridentineers

26/08/2026

Exasperating. Indefensible. 😢

23/08/2026

𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐁𝐮𝐫𝐤𝐞 𝐨𝐧 𝐎𝐩𝐞𝐧 𝐁𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐉𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐖𝐚𝐫

𝐌𝐢𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐞𝐥 𝐊𝐧𝐨𝐰𝐥𝐞𝐬: The Church is attacked for supporting open borders. The Vatican has a wall. Why does the Church support open borders? Is that a fair charge? And do we have to support open borders if we're Catholics?

𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐁𝐮𝐫𝐤𝐞: No. The Church's teaching with regard to immigration has never contained the principle of open borders. We're told that we're to receive those who are true refugees and other immigrants to the degree that we're able to properly accommodate them in society.

And, of course, with open borders, we saw what happened recently in Spain, where there was this influx of people, and the Spanish government had to send them back. They weren't refugees...

I know that some have said that to be a Catholic, you have to say that anybody has the right to come in. That's not true.

𝐌𝐢𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐞𝐥 𝐊𝐧𝐨𝐰𝐥𝐞𝐬: Even Pope Leo has acknowledged that countries have a right to regulate who comes in.

𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐁𝐮𝐫𝐤𝐞: Exactly. And what about the safety of the people who already live in the country, but also of anybody who comes into the country? If you just have open borders, we've seen what happens. You can have criminals coming in who are coming to perpetrate horrible crimes that result in people's deaths and other evils. So, that can't be allowed.

𝐌𝐢𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐞𝐥 𝐊𝐧𝐨𝐰𝐥𝐞𝐬: Imagine if Pope St. Pius V had supported open borders at the Battle of Lepanto. The West would look very different right now.

𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐁𝐮𝐫𝐤𝐞: Yes, that's the other thing, too. People say every war is evil. That's not true. The Battle of Lepanto was a great good. It saved the Church from being destroyed and overcome by Islam.

And were those men who landed on Omaha Beach to liberate Europe from the N**i invasion engaged in an evil act? I don't think so—not at all.

And people hear this and they're deeply hurt because they have relatives and so forth who gave their lives to defend freedom. So, we have to think more deeply about these questions.

War is something we always want to avoid. But, as far as I understand, as long as man is affected by original sin, there will be wars and conflicts. We have to try to be, as much as we can, agents of peace.

But in the same way, too, with the borders, yes, we welcome—and I quite agree with the people who say, “Well, neighbors who have been in the country for 30 years, but aren't properly documented...” To come and seize them and deport them—that's something we need to address each situation with reason and charity.

𝐌𝐢𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐞𝐥 𝐊𝐧𝐨𝐰𝐥𝐞𝐬: Yes. But to say that the battles of Lepanto, Vienna, and Poitiers were not just wars—I think they're probably pretty just, you know. Good enough for St. Pius V, good enough for me.

𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐁𝐮𝐫𝐤𝐞: Yes. Yes. And the times—sure, times have changed with the kind of weapons and things we have—but the people still have a right to defend themselves against unjust aggressors.

Source: YouTube video “Michael Knowles Answers TOUGH Questions With Cardinal Burke" uploaded 15Aug26
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23/08/2026

From the Sunday Gospel 23Aug26

And Jesus answered him, "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jona! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, s and on this rock t I will build my Church, and the gates of Hades u shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven."

21/08/2026

Liberal priests pathetically attack traditional elements of the liturgy, such as vestments, because that is about as far as they can go. Traditional vestments belong to the Church. They are part of her guarded treasury and are not going anywhere. So, since liberal priests cannot get rid of them, all they can do is police the priests who wear them.

These same priests also think they own the liturgy. For them, they can apparently do anything they want with it. So they customize the Mass to their own liking, even vesting poorly just to make their point. And this visible behavior is sadly seen by many uncatechized Catholics, who think the practice is perfectly fine. They don’t realize that it gradually weakens the priesthood, and when the priesthood is weak, Catholicism suffers as well.

19/08/2026

WHAT DO YOU THINK would happen if it were ever proven that Benedict XVI’s resignation was invalid? Any thoughts or opinions are welcome. I’m genuinely asking as I haven’t come across an article that really addresses what the canonical and practical consequences would be in such a scenario. Thank you.

Note: I'm not a fan of LifeSite and this isnt a Sede or SSPX page. I'm just asking a genuine hypothetical question as a non-liberal (balanced) Catholic. Disrespectful comments will lead to immediate ban.

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UPDATE: So far and surprisingly only Andrea Cionci, who is the driving figure behind the petition, has sufficiently answered the question I raised. Everyone else are avoiding it or merely scratching the surface. The implications he points out are so unimaginable that even contemplating them is terrifying.

Per Cionci: "Everything that the two popes have done over the past 13 years never actually existed and will all be erased. Many high-ranking ecclesiastics will be arrested, others will be reduced to the lay state, and others will leave on their own. It will be a casting of the weeds into the fire and a period of incredible purification of the Church.” (edited)

Anyone is free to address or challenge his response. (No ad hominems / fallacies, please!)

19/08/2026

Many charismatic services today follow a pattern that should make Catholics exercise caution. A leader presents himself as specially gifted by the Holy Spirit, and people become increasingly dependent on his signals, commands, or supposed prophetic authority. People may fall, shake, cry uncontrollably, shout, speak unintelligibly, laugh hysterically, or display other extraordinary manifestations. The atmosphere can become self-reinforcing, while discernment is replaced by spectacle.
Remember Pentecost. The descent of the Holy Spirit upon Mary and the Apostles was a unique event in salvation history. The Apostles did not organize or manufacture it; Christ fulfilled His promise to send the Paraclete. No preacher—and not even a Catholic priest—can schedule another Pentecost or reproduce the Holy Spirit’s action through a planned venue, program, or healing service. The Holy Spirit is God, the third Person of the Holy Trinity. He is not a force that can be summoned or manipulated.

The Montanists’ ecstatic “prophecy” and uncontrolled madness offer a warning for today, as some charismatic sects likewise equate emotional manifestations with the Holy Spirit’s presence.

15/08/2026

"This teaching has already been accepted for some centuries, it has been held as certain in the minds of the pious people, and it has been taught to the entire Church in such a way that those who deny that Mary's body has been assumed into heaven are not to be listened to patiently but are everywhere to be denounced as over-contentious or rash men, and as imbued with a spirit that is heretical rather than Catholic." - Saint
Peter Canisius, SJ (1521-1597) - Doctor of the Church

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15/08/2026

"Offer your Holy Communion for yourself and for others. You should get up to approach the altar with all possible modesty, which shows that you are about to do something very great. You kneel down and you make the effort to rekindle in yourself the faith which will make you realize the greatness of your happiness. Your mind and your heart must be absolutely on God. You must take good care not to turn your head, you keep your eyes partially closed, your hands joined, and you say your “I confess to God.” If you are waiting for Holy Communion, you should excite a very fervent love for Jesus Christ and pray very humbly that He will deign to come into your poor and miserable heart.
After you have had the wonderful happiness of receiving Holy Communion, you should rise with modesty and return to your place. You should stay a moment with our Lord Jesus Christ, Whom you have the joy of having in your heart, where, for a quarter of an hour, He is present in both Body and Soul as during His mortal life. Oh, infinite happiness! Who will ever understand it!" - Page 177, The Sermons of the Cure of Ars by TAN Books

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12/08/2026

Credo #559. Who else does not belong to the unity of the Catholic Church?

All the baptized whose crimes and sins have impeded the efficacy of their baptismal character, separating them from the spiritual goods of the Church. These include heretics, schismatics, excommunicates, and apostates.

Source: Credo: Compendium of the Catholic Faith by Bishop Athanasius Schneider on Amazon at https://amzn.to/4zba3XO or Sophia Institute at https://www.sojolk8trk.com/5T1GM4/WFD6JG/

07/08/2026

First, it is an act of great humility before God. When we kneel, we admit our nothingness before the Almighty. If kings and saints knelt before Christ, how much more should we?

Second, it strengthens our belief in the Real Presence. Actions speak louder than words. If we treat the Eucharist irreverently, our faith becomes weak. Kneeling and receiving on the tongue shows the sacredness of this Sacrament.

Third, it protects the Eucharist from abuse. Many hosts are lost or treated without respect when given in the hand. Receiving on the tongue prevents most of these wrongs.

Fourth, it follows the sacred tradition and the teaching of the Magisterium. For many centuries, Communion on the tongue was the norm in the whole Church. The giving of Communion in the hand is a recent exception that began through disobedience during the time of Pope Paul VI.

Fifth, it increases our personal devotion to Christ. It reminds us that we are receiving a Person, not a thing. This changes the way we attend Mass and increases our love for the Lord.

Sixth, it challenges the spirit of the times. If more people receive this way, parishes will provide kneelers and separate lines. This will remind priests of their true mission and inspire the people to greater reverence. By reducing offenses against God, this practice may, by His will, lead to the conversion of many souls.

Read more at https://epistles.online/7-reasons-why-communion-on-the-tongue-kneeling-must-be-restored/

Recommended Books
Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger's "God Is Near Us: The Eucharist, the Heart of Life" at https://amzn.to/4pN0usB
Scott Hahn's "The Lamb’s Supper: The Mass as Heaven on Earth" at https://amzn.to/3KyqtoG
Robert Barron's "Eucharist" at https://amzn.to/3KbuQpI