The Hijacking Of A Saint
...before she's even Canonized

As many of us already know, Blessed Mother Theodore Guerin is about to be Canonized a Saint. Just a quick run-down of what is making this particular Canonization just a wee bit out of the ordinary.

Blessed Mother Theodore was a missionary in the wilds of Indiana in the early 1800's. The local bishop invited the Sisters of Providence to establish missions, schools, orphanages, etc within his diocese. But then the bishop stepped way over the line. He sought to exert his total control over her and her Sisters, even to the point of violating the rule of their Order.

But Mother Theodore would have none of that. Bishop Celestin de la Hailandiere dismissed Mother Theodore from her vows, threatened her with excommunication and banished her for a time.

Mother Theodore always acted with respect but firmness when she had to act against his wishes. Oddly enough, Bishop de la Hailandiere was forced to submit his resignation to Rome because of additional conflicts in the diocese. Rome accepted the resignation and appointed a successor who supported Mother Theodore and her sisters in their mission. Amazing, huh?

That sure sounds an awful lot like St. Athanasuis. And possibly even Archbishop Lefevbre one day.

But now we get to the Theater of the Absurd. The Fasci-Femms are in the attack mode. Liberals within The Church are trying to paint Blessed Mother Theodore as some sort of 1830's version of our present day Poncho Ladies.

We're treated to such quotes as this gem from Sister Marcia Speth; "The bishop here in Vincennes was impossible to work with, yet she always kept her faith. She held on to it. In that way, she witnesses to us how to be today in an imperfect, flawed, sinful church." Oh, and does anyone recall a "Saint Marcia"? And no, Macia Brady doesn't count. Marcia, Marcia, Marcia.

Umm... hey Sis', Holy Mother The Church is perfect. She's flawless. It's simply impossible for The Church to be sinful. Those within The Church can be sinful, but The Church Herself? Never. Silly me, I kinda figured a nun would know that. But like I said... silly me.

And then we (of course) have the requisite quote from Father(?) Richard "Coat & Tie" McBrien, Head Wolf at the Theology Department at the University of Notre Dame; "I dare say that Mother Guerin, as a soon-to-be-canonized saint, will achieve an elevated status that will forever elude the bishop who dismissed her."

Ummm... Dickie, how do you know if Bishop de la Hailandiere is in hell? The Church has always taught that every single soul in Heaven is already a Saint. It's a safe bet that, despite his flaws, Bishop de la Hailandiere died in the State of Grace. Silly me, I kinda figured that the head of the Theology Department at the University of Notre Dame would know that. But like I said... silly me.

And I've saved the best for last...

Samantha Dumm, a 19-year-old sophomore from Morgantown, Indiana, who is traveling with other students to the Vatican for Sunday's canonization. "She wants us to be strong women, stand up for ourselves and make our own way in life," Dumm said.

Madame Dumm, says who? Those neo-pagans who pass themselves off as Catholic nuns where you attend college? Allow me to square you away, sweetie. Here is what you should have said; "She wants us to be strong Catholics, stand up for our Church and make God our way in life." Did anyone else notice how "me" oriented Dumm's statement is? Kinda like the Mass of Paul VI, huh?

Sheesh. A nun, a priest and a student at a supposed Catholic college. And none of them have the faintest idea of even the basics of Catholicism.

But you know what, sports fans? When it comes down to the bottom line for Blessed Mother Theodore, it all comes down to this --

Obedience? Yes.
Obedience to error? Never.

And how nice would it be if Rome would have most American bishops follow the same career path as Bishop de la Hailandiere? (see below post)