Define 'Penitential Catholic' in terms of its use herein?
'Penitential Catholic' denotes an individual who practices the three spiritual exercises that Jesus gave us in fasting, prayer and self-denial. These can be applied to a persons life according to their degree of commitment and family or socal responsibilities. Moreover, as sinners, we are called to a life of repentance. That is what makes us Christians and, in our particular faith, Catholic. Being a penitential Catholic unites our daily trials, sufferings and penances to that of Jesus on the Cross.
Explain what's in the name Brother Mordecai?
This is a Pseudonym I prefer to be known as. I prefer to evangelize anonymously as Jesus reminds us, “But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly” (Matthew 6:3, 4).
What is meant by Traditional Catholicism?
This is a Pseudonym I prefer to be known as. I prefer to evangelize anonymously as Jesus reminds us, “But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly” (Matthew 6:3, 4).
What is meant by Traditional Catholicism?
Traditional Catholicism has a broad meaning and is interpreted by many Catholic groups in a variety of ways from the conservative to the radical. In its simplistic form it denotes an Orthodoxy that all Catholics inherited from their parents before Vatican II and those who have embraced it since. At the root of this Orthodox is "sacred tradition" which, if rejected, makes anyone Protestant. "Like that which was written, the unwritten too is worthy of belief. So let us regard the tradition of the Church also as worthy of belief. " St. John Chrysostom
What breviary do you use and why?
I use the Liturgy of the Hours in 4 volumes because it is the public prayer of the Church and in it I am praying in communion with the Pope, clergy and religious. Occasionally, I will use the pre-Vatican II Monastic Diurnal on Benedictine, Cistercian and Carthusian feasts. These orders have their own calendars, but the one within is the General Roman Calendar with the current Psalm week for the Liturgy of the Hours.
Is there a message you wish to convey on this blog.
Too few people understand what it means to be Catholic. Many Priests make the faith palatable by preaching what the laity wants to hear. They are constricted by diocesan loyalties. My message, therefore, is to tell Catholics what they need to know, not what they want to hear!
Brother Mordecai