It’s that simple, as Father Paul Wattson intended it in petitioning Rome to approve the liturgical octave. Pope Saint Pius X approved of the octave in 1908 and Pope Benedict XV promoted its observance throughout the whole Catholic Church. The eight days of prayer begin on January 18, the feast of the Chair of Saint Peter, and end on January 25, the feast of the conversion of Saint Paul. The Holy Father in his general audience yesterday called for “interior conversion” saying that the Unity Octave must not be limited to nothing more than “cordiality and cooperation.”
If this interior conversion of Catholics cannot be achieved without the graces bestowed by the Immaculate Mediatrix, then how much more so is her help needed for the conversion of non-Catholics. Father Paul Wattson knew this well even as an Anglican, for he was devoted to Mary, honoring her Immaculate Conception, long before he finally overcame through her grace his one heretical doubt regarding papal infallibility, a doctrine he actually wanted to believe in. What held him back from crossing the Tiber? Pope Leo XIII’s encyclical Apostolicae Curae, which declared holy orders to be invalid in form and intention according to Anglican rite of ordination. You see, Father Paul loved the Mass and he offered what he thought was a holy sacrifice with ardent devotion. He also believed in the continued Real Presence of Christ in the unconsumed Eucharist after Communion. So, after his Mass the sacred hosts were preserved on the altar in the tabernacle, and, just as Catholics did, Father Wattson would hold Benediction services on a regular basis where his flock could adore their God with prayer and sacred hymns.
Paul Wattson was no exception to the rule that everyone is in need of conversion. In Greek, the inspired word for “conversion” is literally translated “change of mind.” What does grace do in effecting a conversion? It warms the frigid heart and bends the mind of the stubborn to turn to God in truth, first in an honest self-knowledge. It was not that Father Wattson doubted that the Holy Ghost, the Spirit of Truth, could be with the Church all days and protect the head of the Church from teaching error in faith or morals. Had he not been ordained a “priest” himself, Paul Wattson may have been more inclined to accept papal infallibility and convert sooner. No, it was a very personal issue with him. How could it be that his Masses for the past ten years were not valid? This was his Mass. How could it be that he was adoring what was only bread and encouraging his parishioners in the same error? This was a difficult obstacle for him because faith and reason were seemingly at odds. Faith conquered soon enough. And that, as Father Wattson knew, was through the intersession of Mary. She can make the prayers of the Unity Octave fruitful by converting even the most obstinate non-believer, or an entire nation if she wills, as she did in Mexico. Therefore, let us pray in this octave for heretics individually, and for the end of all heresies that are afflicting those outside and inside the Church today.
Rejoice, O Virgin Mary, for thou alone
hast put and end to all heresies . . .
(Tract from the Common of the Masses of the Blessed Virgin Mary)
You will find an excellent article on Father Paul of Graymoor our website here. It was written by Mrs. Eleoonore Villarrubia for last years celebration of the Unity Octave.
