Mary, The Cause of Our Joy! |
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Congratulations to the blessed and happy family of little Ambrose Valentine, who was baptized and made a child of God on December 11th in Phoenix, Arizona!
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A Winter Visit to Alberta, Canada |
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Meet the rough and ready Brett boys!
These gifted young men have hand-made the tools and implements they are holding. They are also skilled leather craftsmen, their vests an example of their skill!
Matthew, on the far right, is a capable cattle roper!
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Below, Dominic Brett demonstrates some of the steps in making a leather-bound Missal cover: from cutting to fitting, to sewing, to the final stained product - all the while his younger siblings happily look on and learn.
Good, honest hard work - a pleasant and refreshing sight when so many young men waste much time preoccupied with video games!
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Night-time Hockey and Skating!
Some of the Albertans out for some night skating at an outdoor rink.
The boys played a hockey game and the girls figure-skated on one of the milder Canadian winter nights.
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Holy Mass at the Flaskay Home |
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The lovely home chapel of the Flasky family in Alberta.
Below are the several families gathered for Mass during Father Hewko's visit.
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Airplane views of the mountains and surrounding scenery while approaching the Seattle-Tacoma Airport from the Canadian north. |
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Double Baptisms in Pocatello, Idaho |
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Two sweet little girls baptized on the same day, little Anastasia and little Bibiana, pictured above with their parents and godparents.
Below, the all the chapel's children share in the joy of the baptisms!
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Closing out Christmastide in the UK |
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A January Wedding in the English Countryside |
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A young couple are married in an old stone medieval Church, built in the ages of the Faith. It was so cold in the unheated chapel that the couple made their vows seeing their breath! But the cold didn't affect their joy, nor even that of the altar boys! |
A closeup of the stained glass window behind the altar showing St. Erconwald offering the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. St. Erconwald was the Bishop of London for 11 years. He died in 690, but not before many miracles during his lifetime attested to his holiness and sanctity. The Venerable Bede tells us that the sick would be cured by being in contact with the litter which carried him. |
A few of the wedding guests outside the Church!
Below, Mr. and Mrs. Greg and Waltraud Taylor were among the wedding guests!
Fr. Hewko estimates that this red car is about the fourth one that Mr. Taylor has utilized (burnt up!) in driving the priests all over England and Wales on the Mass circuits!
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Father Hewko makes a stop at this Cross, which marks the traditional site of St. Augustine of Canterbury and his 30 monks landing in England in the year 597 to evangelize the then-pagan inhabitants of Britain.
"Augustine of Canterbury was a monk who became the first Archbishop of Canterbury in the year 597. He is considered the "Apostle to the English" and a founder of the English Church.
"Augustine was the prior of a monastery in Rome when Pope Gregory the Great chose him in 595 to lead a mission, usually known as the Gregorian mission, to Britain to Christianize King Æthelberht and his Kingdom of Kent from Anglo-Saxon paganism. In 597, Augustine landed on the Isle of Thanet and proceeded to Æthelberht's main town of Canterbury." Source
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Ireland - St. Peter's Church in Drogheda |
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A visit to St. Peter's Church in Drogheda, Ireland. This is the site of the Shrine of St. Oliver Plunkett, the last priest martyred at the Tyburn Tree in London, England. |
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A little history:
Oliver Plunkett was born into a noble family in County Meath, about thirty miles west of Drogheda, which is about 30 miles north of Dublin, in 1625. He studied for the priesthood in Rome, at the Irish College that had been co-founded by Father Luke Wadding and was ordained in 1654.
He returned to Ireland on his appointment as Archbishop of Armagh. By this time Cromwell had conquered Ireland, it was against the law to be a practicing Catholic and priests were being executed when found. Sir Oliver Plunkett remained in Rome after his ordination and taught. Finally, in 1669, he was appointed Bishop of Armagh and set foot on Irish soil again in 1670. At this time the persecution had subsided somewhat and he set about restoring the ravaged Church, embarking on a plan of Confirmations, Ordinations, and education–going so far as build a Jesuit college in Drogheda. Records show that he confirmed over 48,000 in a four year period.
He maintained his duties in Ireland in the face of English persecution, but ran afoul of the government when he objected to certain parts of the so-called Test Act (which would have him pledging allegiance to the Anglican Church). As a result, his college was leveled to the ground and he was forced in to hiding.
Trumped-up charges were produced implicating him in a non-existent plot to overthrow the government and he was eventually arrested in 1679 in Ireland, and then later sent to stand trial in England, since the authorities naturally felt that could not get a guilty verdict in Ireland. It was, in fact, difficult to get one in England as well, since the first trial ended up in a no-bill. The second one, where he was not able to call witnesses or defend himself properly, was basically a kangaroo court and found him guilty of promoting the Catholic faith.
He was hanged, drawn and quartered at Tyburn on 1 July 1681, and became the last Roman Catholic martyr to die in England. Source
St. Oliver was not silent in the face of either error, nor persecution, unlike most of our traditional bishops of today!
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The reliquary of the incorrupt though leathered head of St. Oliver Plunkett. |
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More relics of the bones of St. Oliver Plunkett in St. Peter's Church. |
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The above plaque has the following inscription regarding the prison cell door preserved in the Church:
"This is the door of the cell in Newgate Prison (London) where St. Oliver Plunkett was imprisoned for eight months before his martyrdom at Tyburn on July 1, 1681."
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Michael (left) with his father, Ivan, on the steps of St. Peter's.
Ivan is originally from South Africa but is proud now to be among the 'fighting Irish!'
Here are Michael and Ivan next to a statue of Drogheda-native Tony "Socks" Byrne, who won a bronze medal in boxing in the 1956 Summer Olympics.
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Ivan and Michael, with their dog Sammy, explore the ruins of the nearby Kilcooly Abbey. It was built as a Cistercian monastery in 1182. |
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Back in the UK - Durham, England |
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The view from a train window seat as it pulls into Durham. The spires of Durham Cathedral, built in 1093 with many additions until it was finally completed in 1490, majestically pointing to Heaven, our eternal home.
One day no doubt it will be rightfully returned to the Catholics from whom it was stolen during the Protestant Revolution.
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The League of the Sons of St. Philip Neri |
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The Legio Filiorum Sancti Philippi Neri (LFSPN) is a group of traditional Catholic men based in the UK. From their YouTube channel:
"Founded less than two year ago, the LFSPN’s vision is clear: do.
"The LFSPN was intended as a Men's Group that could surpass the turbulent (and sometimes empty) cage of internet group chats and break through the collective apostolate of the real world where things happen.
"The LFSPN is a collective of Catholic Men who remain faithful to God, Tradition and Holy Mother Church through active means in their pursuit of Salvation."
Below, they are gathered in the early morning hours before dawn to begin a day of Holy Mass, a Conference, a hike to the surrounding areas of Durham, and to help out a local family who recently purchased a farm and is preparing it for the year ahead!
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Above, a brief stop at Durham Cathedral before dawn
to pray and honor the Most High!
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The LFSPN 10 mile hike and Rosary walk begins, proudly carrying Our Lady with them all over the English countryside,
which at this time of year is cloaked with fog and rain.
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Below, the LFSPN stop at a family's new farm to help them get established by helping with some heavy farm chores.
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The farm goats got very curious with the wood stacking that was going on and soon came over to investigate what all the commotion was about!
But their interference was not welcome and had to be moved along so the work could proceed!
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These kind young men help lay the foundations of a future barn which will have a portion dedicated for a chapel! |
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Above, the day ended back at the Durham Cathedral, where the LFSPN chanted the Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary and reclaimed the Cathedral for Our Lady.
Below, some refreshment after a long and productive day!
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A Short Trip to the 'Holy Island' |
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Some members of the LFSPN made a pilgrimage to Lindisfarne Island in the northeast of England where the famous Lindisfarne Priory was built by St. Aidan in 634. St. Cuthbert was a monk and later an abbot of Lindisfarne, whose life and miracles were recorded by the Venerable Bede. |
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There is a legend regarding St. Cuthbert and sea otters:
“Late at night, after all of the monks had fallen asleep, he would sometimes sneak out of the monastery and head out to the sea, where he would wade into the water up to his neck, raise his arms to the sky, and pray with the rhythm of the waves. Although the monks realized that his bed was often empty, they were not entirely clear about what he did during his late-night adventures. One night, a monk decided to follow him discreetly, hoping that he would not be caught.
"This is what he saw: Cuthbert waded deep into the sea, praying in his customary fashion. He prayed all through the night, and at the first light of dawn he returned to the shore and knelt for more prayer. When Cuthbert emerged from the sea he wasn’t alone. He was followed by two otters, who panted on Cuthbert’s feet to dry them, and snuggled against his body to try to warm him with their fur.
"The otters stayed with Cuthbert as he completed his prayer, kneeling before him in the sand. They did not depart until he offered them his blessing.”
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Little Joseph Matthew was baptized in the Pocono Mountains in Tannersville.
His family and his guardian angel were certainly rejoicing on this day!
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Father was able to visit and offer Mass in the home of Konrad Eldracher (seated) in Pennsylvania. He is lovingly cared for by his daughter and her husband and their son.
Konrad is also helped by these two sweet Italian ladies.
Konrad used to sing at Resistance Masses while living in Connecticut before his stroke a few years ago. While he was recovering from his stroke, he lost his wife - a heavy cross indeed.
Konrad has had a long and blessed life living his faith:
Below, a news clipping showing how Konrad and his brother Joseph, while teenagers, worked on a creche for their church in Germany.
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In the black and white photos below, Konrad is serving the Solemn High Mass - he is the thurifer on the far left! In the second photo, Konrad is an acolyte serving in the
Corpus Christi Eucharistic Procession in Germany.
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Wyatt Earp and Michelle Boulware were married on the
Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, February 11th, in Idaho.
We wish them every happiness and may Our Lady
guide and protect them throughout their marriage!
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In California with Fr. Hewko's Family |
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Father Hewko baptized his nephew, David, and gave him is First Communion on February 15th. Young David is pictured here with his mother next to him and Father's sisters, Cathy and Teresa. Father's brother, Chris, who was David's godfather, is pictured in the back to Father's right. |
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In the recliner is Tom Hewko, Father's brother, one week before he passed away from pancreatic cancer. Mr. Hewko was cared for by his sisters, who here lovingly surrounded him in his last days. He died February 24th. He was very blessed to receive Last Rites at this time. Please keep him in your prayers.
Requiem aeternam dona ei Domine, et lux perpetua luceat ei.
Requiescat in pace. Amen.
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✠
March 1, 2023
Dear Remnant of the Mystical Body of Christ,
Satan knows his time is short and having gained control over nearly all political powers, he has at last penetrated inside the Church since the Second Vatican Council. After his first wave of infiltration inside the Church under Pope Leo XIII and St. Pius X, which was detected and condemned, now we see him suffocating the Church with the second wave, with all his agents in power, whom Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre didn’t hesitate to call “anti-christs who occupy the see of Rome.” The Modernists who distort the Sacred Scriptures and dismantle Tradition are working hand-in-hand with the satanic globalists who are fully committed to abolish the natural order, as well as Catholic Tradition, replacing it with the Conciliar Church and phony New Mass.
In view of all this, some are tempted to ask: “What use is it to fight on? All those who defended Christ’s Kingship in the last four centuries have lost battles, lost influence, lost territory and we are now on the verge of being driven back to the catacombs!”
When we survey the effects of the advance of Liberalism, as condemned by the great Popes of the 17th, 18th, 19th & first part of the 20th Century, we see the defeat of many brave souls who tried to stem its oncoming tide.
We remember the heroic priests and laity in England who did their best to restore the Catholic Faith and monarchy, hundreds going straight to Heaven from the Tyburne executions; we remember the great Vendee Catholics who defended the Old Order in France, during its bloody Revolution; we remember the Carlists of Spain who fought for the restoration of Catholic order; we remember the Cristeros of Mexico who took on the forces of the Masonic Republic ( who were regretfully aided by the wealth of the United States) and their shout: “Viva Cristo Rey!” We remember the Spanish Civil War in the 1930’s with heroic men, starring General Franco, who consecrated his country to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and rescued the relics of St. Teresa of Avila from the desecrating hands of the Communists. Although Spain militarily defeated the Reds and consequently delayed the Liberal invasion, it did not prove lasting. The enemy by that time had already, like maggots, burrowed within the hierarchy of the Church and would triumph at Vatican II!
So, back to the question, rather than winning the wars, most Catholic battles ended up losing, either by force or by betrayal. So, in the end, had all these men fought in vain? Was the defense of the Faith futile? Would it have been better for the Catholics to have never taken up the sword to defend the Church and Christendom? The answer is NO! A thousand times, NO! NO! Because God does not always ask for success but for fidelity! He doesn’t always want His soldiers in the victory parade, but to faithfully endure in the trenches. As St. Joan of Arc used to say: “In the Name of God! The soldiers will fight and God will give the victory!” But that final victory is in His wisdom, in His time.
All the blood of recent martyrs that has soaked the ground for God’s cause lies dormant in all these lands. Their blood still cries to Heaven, louder than the blood of Abel, even as Our Lord’s Blood on the Cross! Their blood lies as seeds in the ground, waiting for the sunlight of God’s mercy to make it sprout up again when the Immaculate Heart of Mary has finally triumphed, as She predicted at Fatima! Elsewhere, She prophesied:
“In order to dissipate this black cloud that impedes the Church from enjoying the clear day of liberty, there will be a formidable and frightful war, in which both native and foreign blood will flow, including that of secular and regular priests, as well as that of other religious. This night will be most horrible, for humanly speaking, evil will seem to triumph. “This, however, will mark the arrival of my hour, when I, in a marvelous way, will dethrone the proud and cursed Satan, trampling him under my feet and chaining him in the infernal abyss! Thus, the Church and this country will be finally free of his cruel tyranny!” (Our Lady of Good Success to Mother Mariana, Quito, Ecuador 1634 AD.)
We must never cave in to compromise with the enemy, as the Conciliar-SSPX has sadly done since 2012, to get canonical status. Nor can we give the green light to the abominable New Mass, in any circumstance (aside from passive participation at weddings and funerals), as well as encourage Indult Masses, as the Fake Resistance bishops consistently do. We simply must hold the line of Tradition, as Abp. Marcel Lefebvre did! If only his sons had done what he counseled. But they can still turn back! Listen to his own words:
“...If this is how things are, you will understand that, in spite of everything, I am not a pessimist. The Holy Virgin will have the victory! She will triumph over the great apostasy, which is the fruit of Liberalism! One more reason not to twiddle our thumbs! [ or do nothing ]. We have to fight more than ever for the Social Reign of Our Lord Jesus Christ! In this battle, we are not alone: we have all the Popes, up through Pius XII, inclusively. All of them combatted Liberalism in order to deliver the Church from it. God did not grant that they succeed, but this is no reason to lay down our weapons! We have to hold on! We have to build while the others are demolishing. The crumbled citadels have to be rebuilt, the bastions of the Faith have to be reconstructed: firstly, the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass of all times, which forms saints, then our chapels, which are our true parishes; our monasteries; our large families; our [business] enterprises faithful to the social doctrine of the Church; our politicians, determined to make the politics of Jesus Christ.” (Abp. Lefebvre, They Have Uncrowned Him, p. 251).
On that note, I ask your prayers as I hope to obtain a suitable property by Summer, for the Oratory that will focus on the formation of priests and brothers, following the Statutes and Rule of Abp. Lefebvre, without compromise with Modernist Rome. There are some very good options, but we will need a miracle of St. Joseph to pay for it! So, please pray for it!
In Christ the King,
Fr. David Hewko
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- Correspondence mailing address and Mass Requests and Stipends: Rev. Fr. David Hewko, 16 Dogwood Road South, Hubbardston, MA 01452
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Donations: Checks can be made out to Sorrowful Heart of Mary Inc., P.O. Box 366017, Atlanta, GA 30336 or electronic donations can be made via PayPal.
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To subscribe to Fr. Hewko's newsletters, the Sorrowful Heart of Mary Newsletter, and the Mary, the Cause of Our Joy! Newsletter, contact: sorrowfulheartofmary@gmail.com.
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The Recusant website contains many erudite articles on the new direction of the SSPX of the last ten years.
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