Reflections On “Slithering Into Undisclosed Locations”

I have always enjoyed reading Sr. Marie Therese’s articles in the “Convent Corner” section of Mancipia. Her writing is concise, clearly presented, and filled with nuggets of wisdom, which are both practical and spiritually insightful. Sister’s most recent article entitled “Slithering Into Undisclosed Locations…” is, in my opinion, one of the crown jewels of the many pieces that she has written. In her comments on the “Black Mass” that was to be hosted at Harvard University in May, Sister celebrates the fact that the Church Militant, which she called a “Sleeping Giant,” marshaled its spiritual weaponry leading to the cancellation of this public blasphemy. Moreover, attempts to find a secondary site were thwarted. In light of these failures, Satan’s worshippers slithered off into what the press described as an “undisclosed location,” at which a Consecrated Host would be desecrated.

Driving the “Black Mass” and its supporters from the public arena into the underground was certainly a moment of triumph and victory. However, as Sister rightfully emphasizes, this recent arousal of our lethargic Church Militant won the battle but not the war. She points out that as long as the “Black Mass” exists and is offered in “undisclosed locations” or any locations for that matter, true Catholics should remain outraged and continue to fight vigorously until this abomination is crushed and total victory is achieved.

Sister warns us that our complacency and basking in the glory of this temporary victory is dangerous. Because the “Black Mass” is now out of sight does not mean that it should be out of mind. On the contrary — we should be more diligent than ever, lest we sink into a lethargy that will destroy us. Sister urges us to answer the following question in driving this point home: “Are those who practice the Devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary and are part of her Crusade comfortable with her enemies’ activity as long as it is in ‘undisclosed locations’?” The obvious answer should be a resounding NO! Sister then goes on to ask: “Perhaps you would sleep just fine if the cobra on your bedspread slithered quickly behind your bureau as you snapped on your light?” Again, the answer to this question is obvious. No one would be comfortable having a cobra in an “undisclosed location” within our household. In fact, a hidden serpent would even be more dangerous because we would not know where he is and when he might strike. Although we could not see him, any right minded person would recognize that a cobra in an “undisclosed location” is potentially lethal. Rather than wait until the cobra bites some unsuspecting victim, the prudent householder would diligently and forthrightly make and execute a plan until this danger is removed.

Again, waiting for some horrific event to occur before we become aroused and act puts us in a vulnerable position. The highly publicized “Black Mass” is such an example. It took this outrage to finally arouse the “Sleeping Giant” — the once Church Militant — into action. We have traveled over a long road paved with apathy and “indifferentism” for the past five decades. Whether we are willing to admit it or not, we have become spiritually slothful. As a result, we have become weak in our prayers, fail to make the necessary sacrifices to overcome evil, and unwilling to study and steel our minds with the intellectual armor needed to openly confront those who are heretical and blaspheme. Unless we reverse this trend, the Church Militant will continue to be mocked, marginalized, and ignored, while our enemies feast on our weakened and dying corpse.

Sister presents another significant question that we must answer if we are to be true advocates for Christ and His Church. Do we have the strength to “make waves among our friends, relatives, and acquaintances in order to become a better crusader” in our ongoing battle with the devil and his minions? The gospel of Saint Matthew, Chapter 10 verses 34-42 immediately crossed my mind as I contemplated this:

“At that time, Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Do not think that I have come to send peace upon the earth; I have come to bring a sword, not peace. For I have come to set a man at variance with his father, and a daughter with her mother, and a daughter-in-law with her mother-in-law; and a man’s enemies will be those of his own household. He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; and he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who does not take up his cross and follow Me is not worthy of Me. He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it.’”

Yes! This passage clearly points out what will happen if we become crusaders for Jesus Christ and our Blessed Mother. Do we have the strength to preach the Truth from the housetops, in the face of the enmity of those who are closest to us?

When the Harvard “Black Mass” was cancelled and driven into an “undisclosed location” I, too, like many of my fellow Catholics, was elated and flushed with an overwhelming sense of triumph. However, Sister’s article caused me to reflect more deeply about the real significance of this temporary victory. The public suppression of this well-publicized “Black Mass” was only the beginning of what needs to be done to combat this ongoing evil. As a confirmed soldier of Christ’s Church, I had to ask myself this question: “Am I praying, sacrificing, and studying enough or have I, too, become more complacent since the “Black Mass” that was scheduled in May was sent off slithering into its temporary oblivion?” Needless to say, the answer to the preceding question is not easy. I would like to think that I am doing the best that I can, but this nagging little voice within me says otherwise.

Let me conclude by thanking Sister Marie Therese for this excellent one page article, which I found to be most thought provoking. May we all become a part of the Immaculate Heart of Mary’s final triumph over the Black Mass in all public, private, and “undisclosed locations.”

Our Lady of Fatima, pray for us.

If you have not read the article, “Slithering Into Undisclosed Locations,” CLICK HERE to read the Mancipia.